Bells fires for Hells Djarrak

BELLS Beach/Djarrak was at its best over the weekend for Torquay Boardriders multi-club invitational surfing event Hells Djarrak.

More than 60 of the state’s top surfers were given the opportunity to surf near-perfect four-to-six feet waves in the premiere event.

Competition was described as being at “full throttle” with plenty of surfers securing some big heat scores and generating momentum throughout the day.

However, eventual winners Nalu Belyea (Open), Ellie Harrison (Women) and Ava Holland (Juniors) stood out from the crowd.

The up-and-coming trio dominated their respective finals, all scoring in the good to excellent range on their two highest scoring rides.

Belyea pulled through a Bells bowl barrel to score his first ever major event win, while Harrison had her trademark power carve down to a tee on the big slopping Bells Beach walls.

For their efforts, the Belyea and Harrison scored $1,000 winners, a prestigious Hells Djarrak jacket and got to lift the illustrious Bunjil trophy.

The trophy was carved by Surf Coast artist Raph Buttonshaw and depicts the creator spirit, the eagle Bunjil, who is the protector of Bells Beach/Djarrak.

Willis Droomer, Todd Rosewall and Spencer Kay made the finals in the open division, while Ava Holland, Sarsha Pancic and Juliet Muscroft rounded out the women’s final.

Torquay Boardriders president Cahill Bell-Warren said the event would go down as one of the best yet.

“It was very good honest community day of surfing. Our members from 12 year old girls through to 60 year old men just ripped it up.

“The performances from crew from other clubs too was just incredible.

“Bunjil definitely organised that swell for us. It was one of the best of the year!”

The Hells Djarrak event also featured a live Q and A at Bird Rock Café with two-time world champion Tom Carroll and an after party post-event with Shimmy (Dimity Stoyle) on the DJ decks, supported by Quiksilver and Roxy.