Swell 2012 by Surf Coast News Australia Pty Ltd

THE bell may have tolled for one of the great characters of world surfing culture, but his name will always resound in the Bells amphitheatre for his three consecutive contest wins at Bells in the early 70s. Michael Peterson died of a heart attack last week at home in Tweed Heads, aged 59. The indelible mark he left on surfing and the Bells Beach contest ensures he will be remembered for generations to come. Rip Curl’s Neil Ridgway chatted briefly with Swell following the sad news. “MP won a hat trick of Rip Curl Pros in 1973, ’74 and ’75 at a time when he was without doubt the most dominant professional surfer on the planet,” he said. “He was a great character and personified the image of ‘outlaw surfer’. He liked his own space and found that at Bells. “He was sponsored by Rip Curl in the early days by Brian Singer and Doug Warbrick – the Rip Curl Founders – and they continued to look after him in many ways throughout his life. “We flew him down in 2009 to pick up his Rip Curl Gold Pass – a special award granted to surfers who have had great impact on the event and he thoroughly enjoyed the celebrations. “He still had a really astute eye for the contest and competitive surfing and I had the pleasure of sitting with him in the Michael Peterson Grandstand and he picked apart what the top surfers were doing now even 30 years after he last competed.” Despite brushes with the law and a life spent dealing with schizophrenia, Peterson will be remembered as a sublime surfing talent, the equal of – or, according to Slater himself, better than – 11-time world champion Kelly Slater.

2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985 1984 1983 1982 1981 1980 1979 1978 1977 1976 1975 1974 1973 1972 1971 1970 1969 1968 1967 1966 1965 1964 1963 1962

WHO WILL RING THE BELL? Joel Parkinson (3) Kelly Slater (4)** Joel Parkinson (2) Kelly Slater (3)** Taj Burrow Kelly Slater (2)** Trent Munro Joel Parkinson Andy Irons (2)** Andy Irons** Mick Fanning Sunny Garcia (3)** Shane Dorian Mark Occhilupo Matt Hoy Sunny Garcia (2) Sunny Garcia Kelly Slater** Damien Hardman (2) Richie Collins Barton Lynch Tom Curren (2)** Martin Potter** Damien Hardman Nick Wood Tom Carroll Tom Curren** Cheyne Horan Joe Engel Mark Richards (4)** Simon Anderson (2) Mark Richards (3)** Mark Richards (2)** Mark Richards Simon Anderson Jeff Hakman Michael Peterson (3) Michael Peterson (2) Michael Peterson Terry Fitzgerald Paul Neilsen Nat Young 3 Ted Spencer 2 Ted Spencer Nat Young 2 Nat Young Rob Conneeley Mick Dooley Doug Andrew Glynn Ritchie

FROM AUST/QLD USA/FLO AUST/QLD USA/FLO AUST/WA USA/FLO AUST/NSW AUST/QLD USA/HAW USA/HAW AUST/NSW USA/HAW USA/HAW AUST/QLD AUST/NSW USA/HAW USA/HAW USA/FLO AUST/NSW USA/CAL AUST/NSW USA/CAL UK AUST/NSW AUST/NSW AUST/NSW USA/CAL AUST/NSW AUST/QLD AUST/NSW AUST/NSW AUST/NSW AUST/NSW AUST/NSW AUST/NSW USA/HAW AUST/QLD AUST/QLD AUST/QLD AUST/NSW AUST/QLD AUST/NSW AUST/NSW AUST/NSW AUST/NSW AUST/NSW AUST/NSW AUST/NSW AUST/NSW AUST/NSW

AGE* 30 38 28 36 28 34 26 23 24 23 19 30 26 31 26 26 25 22 27 23 27 25 23 22 16 24 20 23 22 25 26 23 22 21 22 27 22 21 20 22 19 22 20 19 19 18 18 22 19 17

2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2005 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1987 1986 1985 1984 1982 1980 1979 1978 1977

Three-time winner Layne Beachley in action at Bells Beach.

Five-time winner Kelly Slater carving it up at Bells Beach.

WHO WILL RING THE BELL? Sally Fitzgibbons Stephanie Gilmore Silvana Lima Stephanie Gilmore Stephanie Gilmore Sofia Mulanovich Megan Abubo Layne Beachley Layne Beachley Lisa Andersen Pauline Menczer Lisa Andersen Layne Beachley Pauline Menczer Lisa Andersen Pauline Menczer Lisa Andersen Wendy Botha Kim Mearig Jodie Cooper Frieda Zamba Frieda Zamba Debbie Beacham Margo Oberg Lynne Boyer Margo Oberg Margo Oberg

FROM AUST/NSW AUST/NSW BRAZIL AUST/NSW AUST/NSW PERU USA/HAW AUST/NSW AUST/NSW USA/FLO AUST/NSW USA/FLO AUST/NSW AUST/NSW USA/FLO AUST/NSW USA/FLO AUST/NSW USA/CAL AUS/WA USA/FLO USA/FLO USA/CAL USA/HAW AUST/VIC USA/HAW USA/HAW

AGE* 20 22 24 20 19 24 22 26 25 28 25 26 21 22 23 20 21 23 25 22 20 19 29 26 23 24 23

* = Age of champion at that year’s event ** = Also World Champion same year

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SWELL 3 April 2012

BY ALI DEANE

Parko celebrates last year’s win at the Rip Curl Pro, Bells Beach. Photos: COURTESTY OF ASP

JOEL PARKINSON’S Bells Beach Rip Curl Pro 2011 campaign ended on a wave complete with a cover-up, seamless arcing turns and a floater right on the hooter. He had just scored a ten-point ride and the crowd went wild. It cemented what had been one of the most epic weeks of Rip Curl Pro action. In terms of Bells Beach Pros in recent years, Parkinson is level with Kelly Slater with three Bells apiece, although Slater has won four if his 1994 Bell is included. But with 35 worthy fellow contenders, this year’s Bell is not in Parko’s grip just yet. The defending champ told Swell it would be nice to repeat last year’s run. “I can’t wait, it’s become one of my favourite places to go. I always love getting down there and having a few cold fronts go through and get some really good waves.” He said it was no easy feat to win at the Bowl, and the guys who have won it in the past have done so for a reason. “I think there’s your usual suspects that are always going to be amazing out there. “I think Mick is probably the best Bowl surfer, you’ve got Kelly, and I think Taj is amazing.”

Parkinson said people can give Bells a bad wrap, and there are times when heats can be pretty average. “But it’s the times you go there, and the waves are really good and it gives you a good run, you think ‘I love that place’.” The 2011 ASP men’s world title runner-up said he likes to focus on his own surfing, when he approaches the big ones. “I’ve got a bit of a routine. When Bells is good, I can’t watch it, I get too excited. I just catch some waves in the morning, and then I turn my back on it ‘till I have to go out there. “It’s good to contain your energy and excitement, and let it go when you need to.” And he said a Bells trophy was the best one to win. “Everyone wants to ring a Bell, mainly because of its history and the names that have won it through all the generations of surfing. “Everyone that’s won there, from the Hakmans, to MPs (Michael Peterson) and Mark Richards, and people like that, to be on a list with those guys that have changed the direction of surfing over the years, it’s a honour.” When we asked Parko if we’d be seeing a number four, he said he hoped so. “A win down at Bells would be huge for me,” he said.

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Richie Porta (right) goes over a call at J-Bay with championship tour surfer Kieren Perrow.

Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) International Head Judge Richard Porta regards last year’s Rip Curl Pro as the best event he has witnessed at Bells Beach in 31 years. “There have been better single days but not five in a row like that.” He said he would be happy this Easter to get even a few days like last year. Swell caught up with Porta to get inside the head of one of the most important roles in surfing competition, the head judge. BY ALI DEANE FROM paddling in from his heat in the state rounds at Bells in the ’80s, and changing in the mud to pick up a clipboard to judge the next heat, Porta said it is not just the level of surfing that has lifted since then. “Judging has evolved along with the modern, progressive surfing whilst still staying true to the non-aerial side of riding a wave. “We have subjective criteria, and I like all surfing whether it’s power carving or aerial and progressive.” Rides in surfing are rated according to key concepts including the combination of major manoeuvres, the variety of manoeuvres, innovative and progressive manoeuvres, commitment and degree of difficulty, and speed, power and flow. Following each ride, five judges provide a

Judges at last year’s Rip Curl Pro stay focused as they prepare to record the scores of each wave ridden.

score with the highest and the lowest taken out and the average of the three middle scores calculated to give the final score. The thing that impresses Porta most is the commitment surfers show in critical parts of the wave. “We compare surfer to surfer to get the scores, on a scale from one to 10, score every wave ridden, and the top two rides is all that is counted in the final tally.” For judges as well as surfers, pressure can go up exponentially with the level of the event. “All events have some form of pressure to make sure the result is right. “At WCT events it is hard to describe the level. I can walk into the judging booth after taking a break and you can sometimes cut the air with a knife. It is crucial we make the right calls.” Video replays have been latest addition to how judges go about their work.

“So much can happen during a set when all surfers are up and riding, we can use the replay to check to make sure we did not miss any part of the rides.” In his third season as ASP International Head Judge, Porta said his story was similar to most judges. “Pretty much all top judges have competed at some level, many professionally, and some still do. “It’s crucial to the job. I know what it feels like to have an interference call against you when you didn’t think it was one. I know what it is like to lose a heat by the narrowest margin as well as win them. “The surfers that we judge have that same feeling but magnified by a huge margin due to being involved in the top level of the sport. “That is why all the judges judge. They love competition and love surfing.”

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SWELL 3 April 2012

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28/03/12 12:17 PM

BY THE BELL (with LUKE GRIFFITHS)

been a few occasions when I’ve been less than impressed with people using me as a drink holder. I’m one of the most iconic trophies in the world and a countless number of people across the globe dream of raising me, ringing me, even sleeping with me.

Following her victory in 2009, then 24-yearold Brazillian Silvana Lima decided to get a portrait of me etched into her torso. Respect. Having turned 50 last year, I now spend most of my time chilling out at Rip Curl headquarters in Torquay, although my friend Joe Sweeney, who I have known well since the mid 1970s, ensures

Surfing Victoria executive director Max Wells and Rip Curl international events manager Brooke Farris discuss the upcoming Rip Curl Pro in the presence of the event’s perpetual trophy – The Bell.

that replicas of me are available for those good enough to win at Bells. And some of the replicas – “Little Bros” I call them – have stories that can almost match mine. After the late, great Andy Irons won his first Rip Curl Pro in 2002, he made a home for Little Bro on his Hawaiian balcony, regularly waking up his island neighbours through incessant ringing of the bell. Kelly Slater has Little Bros all over the place; Joel Parkinson’s 2004 Little Bro takes pride of place in his pool room; while 2005 women’s champion Sofía Mulánovich keeps hers in the middle of her dining room table. Despite having friends in high places, my approach is no frills. Don’t believe me? What about the time I was offered a lift

IF I was a human being I’d be considered a midget, standing less than a metre high and weighing in at slightly less than 14 kilograms. People hate it when they get held up, but I love it. I’ve had more athletic men and women hold me up than I can remember. It was good then, and it’s good now. I love to party – boy, have there been some big ones – but I don’t kiss and tell. However, what I will say is that there have

Do they hold the Bell or does it hold them? Last year’s Bells competition winners Sally Fitzgibbons and Joel Parkinson pose with the Bell.

to a world-famous museum by Armaguard, but instead opted for the back seat of Surfing Victoria’s executive director Max Wells’ car? Listen to what he thinks of me: “It’s the most sought after individual trophy that exists – only the winners can ring it,” Wells says. “There’s a genuine sense of pride from Rip Curl and Surfing Victoria that we own the Wimbledon of surfing.

“The Rip Curl Pro sits in such a special place because of it.” Oh Max, stop it. In monetary terms, no one is able to put an exact value on me. Some people have estimated me to be worth six-figures, but I like to think I’m priceless. Past winners of the Rip Curl Pro – and future hopefuls – agree.

TIME: 4.30PM WHEN: SATURDAY 7TH APRIL WHERE: O STORE, SURFCOAST HIGHWAY, TORQUAY Adam Melling, Jadson Andre, Adriano de Souza, Kolohe Andino, Julian Wilson, Jordy Smith, Tyler Wright, Sage Erickson

PHOTOS COURTESY OF ASP

MEN’S PROFILES 2

1972 DOB February 11, , Florida LIVES Cocoa Beach cm) HEIGHT 5’9” (175 ds (73 kg) WEIGHT 160 poun STANCE Natural 2010, 2008, 2006, 1994 BELLS BEST 1st in

joel parkinson

DOB April 10, 1981 LIVES Coolangatta, Qld Height 6’0” (183 cm) Weight 185 pounds (84 kg) STANCE Natural BELLS BEST 1st in 2011, 2009, 2004

DOB June 2, 1978 LIVES Yallingup, WA HEIGHT 5’9” (175 cm) WEIGHT 159 pounds (72 kg) STANCE Natural BELLS BEST 1st in 2007

DOB December 22, 1993 LIVES Maresias, Brazil HEIGHT 5’11” (180 cm) WEIGHT 150 pounds (68 kg) STANCE Goofy BELLS BEST 17th in 2009 (as wildcard)

DOB January 16, 1990 LIVES Lennox Head, NSW Height 5’10” (174 cm) Weight 172 pounds (78 kg) STANCE Goofy BELLS BEST 5th in 2011

DOB February 13, 1987 LIVES Florianopolis, Brazil HEIGHT 5’6” (167 cm) WEIGHT 137 pounds (65 kg) STANCE Natural BELLS BEST 3rd in 2011

taj burrow

GABRIEL MEDINA

OWEN WRIGHT

adriano de souza

DOB November 8, 1988 LIVES Coolum Beach, Qld Height 6’0” (183 cm) Weight 175 pounds (78 kg) Stance Natural Bells Best 25th in 2011

DOB February 11, 1988 LIVES Durban, South Africa HEIGHT 6’2” (188 cm) WEIGHT 190 pounds (86 kg) STANCE Natural BELLS BEST 3rd in 2011 & 2009

DOB February 22, 1990 LIVES Santa Catarina, Brazil Height 5’8” (173 cm) Weight 154 pounds (70 kg) Stance Natural Bells Best 13th in 2011

DOB December 30, 1985 LIVES Toahutu, Tahiti HEIGHT 5’9” (176 cm) WEIGHT 168 pounds (76 kg) STANCE Natural BELLS BEST 9th in 2011 & 2010

julian wilson

jORDY SMITH

ALEJO MUNIZ

MICHAEL BOUREZ

DOB March 29, 1984 LIVES Gold Coast, Qld HEIGHT 5’8” (173cm) WEIGHT 154 pounds (70 kg) STANCE Natural BELLS BEST 13th in 2011; 33rd in 2007, 2009

DOB July 6, 1979 LIVES Satellite Beach, Florida, USA HEIGHT 5’10” (178 cm) WEIGHT 155 pounds (70 kg) STANCE Goofy BELLS BEST 5th in 2005

DOB November 18th, 1992 LIVES Pipeline, HAWAII HEIGHT 6’0” (183 cm) WEIGHT 168 pounds (76 kg) STANCE Natural BELLS BEST Rookie

DOB June 13, 1981 LIVES Tweed Heads, NSW HEIGHT 5’10” (177cm) WEIGHT 161 pounds (73 kg) STANCE Natural BELLS BEST 1st in 2001

JOSH KERR

damian hobgood

john john florence

mick fanning

DOB April 27, 1988 LIVES Capbreton, France HEIGHT 5’8” (174 cm) WEIGHT 150 pounds (68 kg) STANCE Natural BELLS BEST 9th in 2008

DOB April 3, 1982 LIVES Rio de Janeiro, Brazil HEIGHT 5’6” (167cm) WEIGHT 146 pounds (66 kg) STANCE Goofy BELLS BEST 33rd in 2008

DOB November 19, 1991 LIVES Camburi, Brazil HEIGHT 5’9” (176 cm) WEIGHT 150 pounds (67 kg) STANCE Goofy BELLS BEST Rookie

DOB September 21, 1982 LIVES Avoca Beach, NSW HEIGHT 5’8” (173cm) WEIGHT 170 pounds (75 kg) STANCE Goofy BELLS BEST 9th in 2010

DOB January 1, 1977 LIVES Byron Bay, NSW HEIGHT 5’9” (177 cm) WEIGHT 150 pounds (68 kg) STANCE Natural Bells Best 5th in 2009, 2003 & 2002

DOB February 23, 1983 LIVES Brisbane, Qld HEIGHT 6’1” (180 cm) WEIGHT 178 pounds (82 kg) STANCE Natural BELLS BEST 2nd in 2008

DOB May 7, 1982 LIVES Saquarema, Brazil HEIGHT 5’10” (171 cm) WEIGHT 168 pounds (76 kg) STANCE Natural BELLS BEST 17th in 2007

DOB January 5, 1985 LIVES Huntington Beach, California, USA HEIGHT 6’0” (183 cm) WEIGHT 160 pounds (73 kg) STANCE Natural BELLS BEST 17th in 2010

Jeremy flores

kieren perrow

heitor alves

bede durbidge

miguel pupo

raoni monteiro

adrian buchan

brett simpson

DOB March 29, 1985 LIVES Lennox Head, NSW HEIGHT 6’0” (183 cm) WEIGHT 165 pounds (75 kg) STANCE Natural BELLS BEST 13th in 2011

DOB March 22, 1994 LIVES San Clemente, California HEIGHT 5’11” (180 cm) WEIGHT 163 pounds (74 kg) STANCE Natural BELLS BEST Rookie

DOB July 6, 1979 LIVES Melbourne, Florida HEIGHT 5’8” (173 cm) WEIGHT 150 pounds (68 kg) STANCE Goofy BELLS BEST 3rd in 2003

DOB March 13, 1980 LIVES Ericeira, Portugal HEIGHT 5’6” (170 cm) WEIGHT 154 pounds (70 kg) STANCE Natural BELLS BEST 9th in 2011

ADAM MELLING

KOLOHE ANDINO

CJ HOBGOOD

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SWELL 3 April 2012

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF ASP

DOB March 13, 1990 LIVES Natal City, Brazil HEIGHT5’7” (170 cm) WEIGHT 145 pounds (66 kg) STANCE Goofy BELLS BEST 5th in 2011

DOB September 29, 1988 LIVES Copacabana, NSW HEIGHT 5’11” (180 cm) WEIGHT 165 pounds (75 kg) STANCE Goofy BELLS BEST 17th in 2010

DOB November 20, 1985 LIVES San Clemente, California HEIGHT 6’0” (183 cm) WEIGHT 160 pounds (73 kg) STANCE Natural BELLS BEST 13th in 2011

DOB December 27, 1988 LIVES Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii HEIGHT 5’10” (178 cm) WEIGHT 165 pounds (75 kg) STANCE Natural BELLS BEST 17th in 2010

jadson andre

matt wilkinson

pat Gudauskas

dusty payne

DOB May 11, 1979 LIVES Durban South Africa HEIGHT 5’6” (171 cm) WEIGHT 146 pounds (66 kg) STANCE Goofy BELLS BEST 33rd in 2011

DOB May 15, 1971 LIVES Carlsbad, California HEIGHT 5’10” (178 cm) WEIGHT 178 pounds (77 kg) STANCE Natural BELLS BEST 3rd in 1997

DOB December 16, 1979 LIVES Queenscliff, Australia HEIGHT 5’11” (180 cm) WEIGHT 169 pounds (77 kg) STANCE Goofy BELLS BEST 9th in 2008 & 2009

DOB November 16, 1985 LIVES Santa Barbara, California HEIGHT 5’9” (175 cm) WEIGHT 155 pounds (70 kg) STANCE Natural BELLS BEST Rookie

Travis logie

Taylor knox

KAI OTTON

YADIN NICOL

1 carissa moore 92 DOB August 27, 19waii LIVES Honolulu, Hacm) HEIGHT 5’7” (170 ds (63 kg) WEIGHT 140 poun STANCE Natural 2010 BELLS BEST 9th in

WOMEN’S PROFILES

DOB December 19, 1990 LIVES Gerroa, NSW HEIGHT 5’7” (173 cm) WEIGHT 137 pounds (62 kg) STANCE Natural BELLS BEST 1st in 2011

DOB January 29, 1988 LIVES Tweed Heads, NSW HEIGHT 5’10” (178 cm) WEIGHT 147 pounds (67 kg) STANCE Natural BELLS BEST 1st in 2010, 2008 & 2007

DOB March 31, 1994 LIVES Lennox Head, NSW HEIGHT 5’7” (170 cm) WEIGHT 137 pounds (62 kg) STANCE Natural BELLS BEST 9th in 2009 (as wildcard)

DOB October 29, 1984 LIVES Rio de Janeiro, Brazil HEIGHT 4’9” (154 cm) WEIGHT 108 pounds (49 kg) STANCE Natural BELLS BEST 1st in 2009

Sally Fitzgibbons

Stephanie Gilmore

Tyler Wright

Silvana Lima

DOB April, 28, 1991 LIVES Sunset Beach, Hawaii HEIGHT 5’3” (177 cm) WEIGHT 122 pounds (56 kg) STANCE Natural BELLS BEST 5th in 2010

DOB June 24, 1983 LIVES Lima, Peru HEIGHT 5’4” (165 cm) WEIGHT 119 pounds (54 kg) STANCE Natural BELLS BEST 1st in 2005

DOB August 25, 1992 LIVES Santa Ana, California HEIGHT 5’8” (173 cm) WEIGHT 135 pounds (61 kg) STANCE Regular BELLS BEST Rookie

DOB February 14, 1991 LIVES Anglet, France HEIGHT 5’5” (166 cm) WEIGHT 130 pounds (59 kg) Stance Natural Bells Best 9th in 2011

Coco Ho

Sofia Mulanovich

Courtney Conlogue

Pauline Ado

DOB November 14, 1991 LIVES North Narrabeen, NSW HEIGHT 5’6” (168 cm) WEIGHT 112 pounds (51 kg) STANCE Natural BELLS BEST 13th in 2011

DOB June 6, 1990 LIVES Oakura, Taranaki, New Zealand HEIGHT 5’6” (165 cm) WEIGHT 121 pounds (58 kg) STANCE Goofy BELLS BEST 5th in 2009

DOB September 14, 1984 LIVES Copacabana, NSW STANCE Natural HEIGHT 5’5” (165 cm) WEIGHT 120 pounds (55 kg) BELLS BEST 5th in 2010

DOB July 17, 1979 LIVES Florianopolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil HEIGHT 5’4” (164 cm) WEIGHT 123 pounds (56 kg) STANCE Natural BELLS BEST 5th in 1999, 2007, 2009

Laura Enever

Paige Hareb

Rebecca Woods

Jacqueline Silva

DOB August 9, 1993 LIVES Kauai, Hawaii HEIGHT 5’4” (162 cm) WEIGHT 115 pounds (52 kg) STANCE Natural BELLS BEST Rookie

DOB September 30, 1994 LIVES Santa Barbara, California HEIGHT 5’7” (170 cm) WEIGHT 130 pounds (59 kg) STANCE Natural BELLS BEST Rookie

DOB December 28, 1990 LIVES Ventura, California HEIGHT 5’6” (168 cm) WEIGHT 135 pounds (61 kg) STANCE Natural BELLS BEST Rookie

DOB August 27, 1991 LIVES Lacanau, France HEIGHT 5’10” (178 cm) WEIGHT 140 pounds (63 kg) STANCE Goofy BELLS BEST Rookie

Malia Manuel

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SWELL 3 April 2012

(CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE) Adam Robertson opens up the face of a wave, with footage captured from a jet ski. The quadrocopter gathers footage of Adriano de Souza on a wave at last year’s Rip Curl Pro. Owen Wright is interviewed at last year’s Rip Curl Pro.

Photos: COURTESY OF ASP.

THIS year’s Rip Curl Pro will be covered any which way possible, creating conversation and inviting viewers to get involved. All the live surfing action will be shown on Foxtel’s Fuel TV, and will also be streamed via live.ripcurl.com. This website is where you will find promotions, questions and statements that you can agree or disagree with, to get things going and continue the conversation. Dane Sharp at Rip Curl went through logistics with Swell, and said that last year’s event had as many as 1.5 million viewers on the live stream. “We welcome as many people to come to the event as possible, but obviously not everyone can come, and so this is a way to bring it all together. Online streaming can offer viewers every angle of surfing.” Viewers will be able to relive top scoring waves or watch the entirety of the wipe-outs of the day with total access to be able to analyse the event themselves. “It also means people who don’t have pay TV can watch all the action online. “On the site we have something called heat analysis, which is a high powered replay system. “We also want to make the broadcast and coverage not only for surfing fans, so we want to create conversations by asking questions and having little competitions such as photo of the day. “We want to engage people around the world.” There will be five live-action cameras focusing on surfing and a few roving cameras getting in amongst the crowd giving interviews. Each year, Rip Curl experiment with new ways of gathering footage, and attendees at last year’s event may have spotted the state-of-the-art remote controlled quadrocopter – flown by Extreme Aerial Photography – hovering above the waves and the surfers.

Mr Sharp said that this year the quadrocopter wouldn’t be making an appearance but to tune into live.ripcurl.com for the full live broadcast of the Rip Curl Pro. Each day The Morning Show will broadcast from 7.308.00am EST from Bells Beach. The show will preview the schedule, announce the day’s call, where the surfing will take place, with whom and when. This year will see a prestigious line-up of former world tour surfers and competitors commentating for the event. Bells 1987 competition winner Jodie Cooper, Pancho Sullivan, Toby Martin and John Shimooka will join industry personalities Sean Doherty and Reggae Ellis. You can follow the event via Facebook or Twitter, download the free iPhone App or keep up with the latest news online. Details can be found at live.ripcurl.com.

BY LUKE GRIFFITHS THE importance of the Rip Curl Pro to Torquay, to the Surf Coast, to the Geelong region, to Victoria, cannot be overstated. The iconic event is one of the few Victorian sporting events that attracts a truly global audience. It’s a week which gives Torquay and the wider region the opportunity to not only promote itself as a surfing mecca, but as one of the most picturesque parts of the world. “It is recognised as one of the state’s hallmark events and it is run to world class standards,” Rip Curl’s Neil Ridgway said. “When you have the world’s best surfers in the world’s best waves people want to see it. The visitors enjoy it, but globally there are millions who see it through webcast and live TV. “We are infinitely proud of the Rip Curl Pro. It’s the longest running surfing event in the world and it happens here in Torquay, where Rip Curl was born.”

BY ALI DEANE THIS Easter, Roxy is launching a new campaign to give aspiring girl surfers and surf fans the opportunity to travel with the pros and live the Roxy dream. The “Let the Sea Set You Free” campaign is searching the world for three intriguing, fun, engaging and daring girls to cast as the new face and voice of Roxy, and will be selecting one from the APAC region. The experience includes being able to travel to the Roxy Surf Jam in Biarritz France and another amazing secret destination, surf some of the best waves in the world, hang with the pro athletes, be outfitted head-to-toe in ROXY apparel, record a song in a music studio, receive US$5,000 cash, meet Roxy designers, and experience life the way Roxy girls do:

bringing home priceless memories. Local girls can fine-tune their applications and get photos taken for their entries this Easter weekend at Torquay’s Roxy Store at Surf City Plaza. Roxy’s Sally Fitzgibbons said it was a great initiative for girls to live the surf lifestyle, go to the tour event in Biarritz and promote what they feel about the sea. “It’s a really cool competition and there’ll be some really great girls involved.” Entries will also be accepted at www.roxyaustralia.com.au/ seaforyourself or via Roxy’s Facebook page up until April 22. The three winners will be announced June 15 and posted on the contest website. There’s also an in-store opportunity to enter at the Roxy store, 100 Surf Coast Highway, between 10am and 5:30pm April 6 to 9.

In the wake of last year’s event, the Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development conducted a comprehensive economic benefit analysis. It found that the 2011 event brought $2.7 million into the local economy. Last year’s Pro had a total attendance of more than 25,000 people, including 1,761 interstate visitors and just shy of 1,000 international visitors. Ninety-four per cent of attendees were either “satisfied” or “very satisfied” with how the event was staged. The same study found that three quarters of Victorians agreed that the Rip Curl Pro “made them feel proud of their state and good about their community”. “The significance of the Rip Curl Pro, in the international profile it gives our region and the number of interstate and international visitors that stay in the Surf Coast because of the event, is huge,” Surf Coast mayor Brian McKiterick said. “It is not only a big part of our region’s events calendar – it has national and international significance.”

Sally Fitzgibbons (centre) and the Roxy girls are excited to be casting three new Roxy girls to surf and travel the world as part of the Let the Sea Set You Free campaign.

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BY ALI DEANE THIS time last year, Sally Fitzgibbons had fans holding their breath as she surfed her way to her first elite tour victory. At Bells Beach, she ousted three-time Rip Curl Pro champion Stephanie Gilmore in the semi-final and then defeated Hawaiian Carissa Moore in the final.

ASP International Head Judge Richard Porta views the women’s tour as one of the main areas that needs development. “The women are surfing at such high levels these days and are continuing to showcase their talents where ever they go. “Unfortunately they are a few events short to complete their year,” he said. But Fitzgibbons sounded confident with Jessi Miley-Dyer at the helm as ASP women’s world tour manager.

“We lost a few events from the schedule last year, and this season is looking similar. “We are always looking for new events, and sponsorship, and with the level of talent of the girls, they really deserve a similar tour to the guys. “It’s going to be tough, with the economy, but right now there’s a lot of interest in our sport, people are excited and with Jessi behind the scenes, it’s always going to be improving. “We just have to surf what we’ve got, and make the most of it.”

The super smiley ripper from Gerroa, NSW, was runnerup in the 2010 and 2011 ASP women’s world tour and is back to defend her Bells title, bringing with her momentum from early season wins at the Australian Open in Manly and Newcastle’s Hunter Ports Women’s Classic. She told Swell she couldn’t wait to get down to Victoria for the annual Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach. “It should be really great. It was amazing, to have the planets align, and friends and family there, and great waves to win it in.” After recovering from a broken wrist sustained when she fell on a reef whilst surfing pre-Christmas, Fitzgibbons found her form early this year. “I hadn’t gone into the Open with expectations of winning, I just wanted to get back into that competitive mindset, then to have that win in front of my home crowd

meant a lot to me. “The Roxy Pro on the Gold Coast was really nice, making the semis was a strong result and I was happy about that, there were just limited opportunities for the best waves.” And with perfect conditions in Newcastle last month, Fitzgibbons was able to keep the rhythm going. “The swell in Newy was great. I was feeling in tune with everything, and my equipment. To win was a bonus.” She said the tour this year was probably the strongest it’s been. “There are five new rookies on tour, and the younger girls are really hungry to get a win, but I enjoy competing against them, that younger generation, it should make it really interesting.”

Sally Fitzgibbons relaxing in a rare quiet moment, and (above left) sending some serious spray off a Bells face last year, en route to taking out the Rip Curl Women’s Pro.

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