Victoria - Torquay - Bells Beach

The origin of the name of the surf spot Bells Beach comes from when surfers could first access the surf break by vehicle, it was Martha Bell’s property through which they had to pass to get to surf the perfect waves.

Bells Beach is a righthand point break over a submerged reef known affectionately as the tombstone.

The waves are so long that is defined into three sections, from the Rincon point through the infamous Bells bowl to the Shore Break.

Check out some photos of Bells Beach below:

Click here to view our Bells Beach photo gallery!

This point break is not the best place to catch waves with unmakeable sections and get caught inside. However if this cannot be avoided head straight for the bowl and take a wide line on the paddle back out to catch your breath.

Best Swell: SW

Best Wind: NW

Best Tide: Mid-high tide

The Bells Beach Surf Classic is a surfing competition which has been held annually at Easter  time at Bells Beach continuously since 1961, becoming a professional competition in 1973.

The contest has had various sponsors over the years, including in 1984 Australian rock band, Australia Crawl. Now this event is sponsor for the Rip Curl. The trophy is in the form of a bell, for the name of the beach.

Check below all the champions at Bells since to turn a professional competition.

Year       Men's                Women's

1973    Michael Peterson

1974    Michael Peterson

1975 Michael Peterson

1976 Jeff Hakman

1977 Simon Anderson / Margo Oberg

1978 Mark Richards / Margo Oberg

1979 Mark Richards / Lynne Boyer

1980 Mark Richards / Margo Oberg

1981 Simon Anderson

1982 Mark Richards /  Debbie Beacham

1983 Joe Engel

1984 Cheyne Horan / Freida Zamba

1985 Tom Curren / Freida Zamba

1986 Tom Carroll /Jodie Cooper

1987 Nick Wood / Kim Mearig

1988 Damien Hardman

1989 Martin Potter / Wendy Botha

1990 Tom Curren / Lisa Anderson

1991 Barton Lynch / Pauline Menczer

1992 Richie Collins / Lisa Anderson

1993 Damien Hardman / Pauline Menczer

1994 Kelly Slater / Layne Beachley

1995 Sunny Garcia / Lisa Anderson

1996 Sunny Garcia / Pauline Menczer

1997 Matt Hoy / Lisa Anderson

1998 Mark Occhilupo / Layne Beachley

1999 Shane Dorian / Layne Beachley

2000 Sunny Garcia / Megan Abubo

2001 Mick Fanning

2002 Andy Irons

2003 Andy Irons

2004 Joel Parkinson

2005 Trent Munro / Sofia Mulanovich

2006 Kelly Slater

2007 Taj Burrow / Stephanie Gilmore

2008 Kelly Slater / Stephanie Gilmore

2009 Joel Parkinson / Silvana Lima

2010 Kelly Slater / Stephanie Gilmore

In 2011 the Shot Spot team will be covering the Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach and bring for you our best photographs!

written by Douglas Cominski

photos by Ayres Nicolay