BELLS BEACH, Australia — Onshore winds and small surf in the 2- to 3-foot range prompted event organizers at the Rip Curl Pro to call competition yesterday, opting to hold out for a projected increase in swell over the next
BELLS BEACH, Australia — Onshore winds and small surf in the 2- to 3-foot range prompted event organizers at the Rip Curl Pro to call competition yesterday, opting to hold out for a projected increase in swell over the next few days.
The second stop for both the ASP World Tour and the ASP Women’s World Tour, Bells Beach has yet to deliver the classic conditions it is renowned for.
However, with a waiting period that extends until March 24 for the ASP top 17 and March 29 for the ASP top 45, and a solid swell forecast over the next few days, the world’s best surfers could be sinking their rails into Bells’ classic walls shortly.
“The swell hasn’t quite hit yet and the conditions today are a bit sub-par,” Damien Hardman, Rip Curl Pro contest director, said in a release. “Our swell forecasters are calling for a solid pulse to be hitting possibly Friday and through the weekend, so we’ll be looking to get our surfers out in the best possible conditions.”
When competition commences, Round 1 of the Rip Curl Pro will open up with 2006 ASP World Tour Rookie of the Year Bobby Martinez squaring off against Luke Munro and Royden Bryson in the opening heat of competition.
Hawai‘i surfers in the competition include Bruce and Andy Irons, Fred Patachia, Roy Powers and Pancho Sullivan.
On the women’s side, Hawai‘i is represented by Megan Abubo and Alana Blanchard.
Young sensation Carissa Moore out of O‘ahu made it to Australia, but was cut during the elimination trials round.
O‘ahu’s Melanie Bartels, although ranked in the top 10, is not competing in this event.
For more information, or for the live Web cast, log onto www.aspworldtour.com
