Rip Curl Pro back at Bells for 2023

THE iconic Rip Curl Pro will be back at Bells Beach again in 2023, as the World Surf League officially announce the schedule for the the upcoming season.

The new event calendar will mark the second consecutive year of the revised and redesigned WSL Tours and Competition Framework and will include 10 regular season events, a mid-season cut after event number five, the third annual Rip Curl WSL Finals, while also being the top qualification route for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Bells Beach will return as stop four of the 2023 Championship Tour from April 4 to 14, with locals and Surfing Victoria officials thrilled to see it back for the second year running after several pandemic interruptions.

Surfing Victoria CEO Adam Robertson said that the organisation was excited to hear the World Surf League would be bringing the world’s longest surfing competition back to Bells Beach.

“Seeing the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach again on the WSL calendar is exciting. It’s an amazing event showcasing the world’s best talent at an iconic and prestigious location,” Robertson said.

“The Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach is the longest running professional surfing event in world, the significance of that cannot be understated.

“When you walk down the stairs with all the past champions lining the walkway, you can see how this event has played a pivotal role in the evolution of surfing over the years.

“Seeing the event run in fantastic surf for 2022 highlighted again its importance to the tour, the Surf Coast and to Australian surfing.”

Robertson said that the event being back at Bells Beach for the second consecutive year would bring economical benefits while also sharing more knowledge on the Traditional owners of the land.

“There are economic benefits to having an event of this scale in the region and the increased visitation from the event, however, in more recent years the willingness from WSL to bring more attention to the Traditional owners of the area and the Indigenous heritage of Bells Beach has been welcomed,” Robertson said.

“It is a significant part of the region and with Bells Beach being such a sacred location for the Wadawurrung People the recognition of traditional owners has been incredible.”

Robertson also shared that the event provided provides a unique opportunity for up and coming surfers to see their heroes in the flesh.

“Being a local up and coming surfers that gets to see and surf with the world’s best surfers is such a unique opportunity,” he said.

“There are not many other sports in the world where you can sit alongside Hall of Famers in their element.

“It’s something that I know many surfers, young and old, cherish.”

More information about the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach and the full event schedule can be found at https://www.worldsurfleague.com/