Voting opens for 50 Year Storm Invitational

THE first real winter swell has rolled in, heralding the start of voting for this year’s Bells Beach 50 Year Storm Invitational.

The event will see local legend Shaun Brooks honoured by a field of family, friends, local surfing royalty and big-wave chargers, who will paddle out for a one-day invitational surfing contest.

Mr Brooks, a former World Junior and Victorian Open champion, took his own life in 2012 after a long battle with mental illness.

The 50 Year Storm Invitational (a reference to 1991 cult film Point Break) will only run when the surf at Bells reaches at least 12 feet, but conditions have not been large enough in the past two years.

The events committee is committed to running the event in 2019 and have changed the running conditions to “the best big day” in the waiting period in the six foot and above range.

The waiting period for this year’s event begins on June 3 and closes on August 31.

“When Shaun was home, he was always chasing the best waves around our state, but he especially loved when his home of Bells Beach was perfect. His beautiful lines on our famed waves was inspirational to a lot of us in the town,” event committee member Carlo Lowdon said.

The number of surfers in the event has grown from 18 to 30 – to recognise the number of young up and coming chargers in Victoria – with 25 spots voted on by the public. The other five wildcards will be decided by the Brooks family and the 50 Year Storm committee.

The Torquay surfing community and surf industry has swung behind the event, so far raising more than $15,000 to benefit mental health programs in the local community.

The opening ceremony for the 50 Year Storm Invitational will be held at Bells Beach on June 8.

The ceremony will feature a traditional Wathaurong welcome, introduction of the invitees, then a paddle out and party wave.

To cast your vote, head to instagram.com/bellsbeach50yearstorm or visit the website at surveymonkey.com/r/52B8Y7J.