Voting for the Bells Beach 50 Year Storm Invitational begins
With the arrival of the first real winter swell, what better time to vote on who will compete in this years Bells Beach 50 Year Storm Invitational.
Voting is open now and finishes on May 15.
The Bells Beach 50 Year Storm Invitational honours local legend Shaun Brooks as family, friends, and the local surfing royalty paddle out for a one-day invitational contest at Bells. Shaun, a former World Junior and Victorian Open champion, took his own life in 2012 after a long battle with mental illness.
The event channels the fabled history of Bells Beach, with the name a cheeky reference to the 1991 movie Point Break, where the lead character Bodhi paddles out at Bells in the "50-year storm" never to return.
The 50 Year Storm event hasn't run the past two years as organisers held out for huge waves. However, the event's committee is committed to running the event this year and have changed the criteria to "the best big day" within the waiting period.
"When Shaun was home he was always chasing the best waves around our state," said event committee member Carlo Lowdon, "but he especially loved when his home of Bells Beach was perfect. His beautiful lines were inspirational to a lot of us in the town."
The number of surfers in the event has grown from 18 to 30, with 25 of those spots voted on by the public. The other five wildcards will be decided by the Brooks family and the 50 Year Storm Committee. It was decided to increase the number of surfers due to the number of up and coming chargers in the state.
The tight-knit Torquay surfing community and surf industry has swung behind the event. So far over $15,000 has been raised to benefit mental health programs in the local community of Torquay.
Surfers gather in commemoration of Shaun on May 17th 2017.
Public voting for the 25 surfers is open now. The voting information can be found here.
The opening ceremony for the 50 Year Storm Invitational will be held at Bells Beach on June 8th. The ceremony will feature a traditional Wathaurong welcome, the introduction of the invitees, then a paddle out and party wave for all those who wish to be involved.
The waiting period for this year's event begins on June 3 and closes August 31.
For more information please contact: Carlo Lowdon carlo.lowdon@e3products.com.au
One in Five: One in five Australians suffer from a mental illness. We are striving to make one in five, none in five. Investing in research will help us find the answers to why one in five people has a mental illness.
Headspace: Headspace is the National Youth Mental Health Foundation providing early intervention mental health services to 12-25 year olds, along with assistance in promoting young peoples’ wellbeing.
Comments
'Brooko' is the best, most casual big wave surfer I have ever seen footage of. 15-20 foot 2 (or is it 3??) mile, no worries - just pull in, do a massive carve and pull in again, paddle out, repeat. His mini-gun surfing in small west vicco beachies is without flaw.
Anyone want to vote me in? It'd be an honor!
Gary would like to nominate Gary
I put you in the "who do you think should be on the list" section Gary G. A massive oversight by event organisers. Come on swellnetians. Let's get Gary G on the list and then Vote 1 for the big GG.
Agree, Gary G should be voted for! What do you reckon, go for a 5'6" Dick Van Straalen?
Nice Ape. The 50 year storm needs a board from 50 years ago. Something way too short because the shortboard revolution went too far. I'd go a 5'6" Shane Standard single fin with the rounded nose. Perfect for 10-12 ft Bells.
Would Gary G ride a 5'6" Dick? What sort of contest is this?
Gary would do anything for love.
But he won’t do that.
Done.
No Greg Brown on the list?
He is on there...i voted for him.
Cheers Indo, don't know how I missed it.
Dunno if I can vote for GaryG, I like the mystery that surrounds him (and the smell of Blue Stratos so I've been told).
Something about never meeting your heros and all that...
That Poll is a fucking joke. No Ringmaster. No Gary G. It's like leaving the Ablett's out of the Cats team of the century.
I would like to nominate Timothy O'Keeffe. He will be surfing the Tom Hoy 5 fin Claw and he will destroy!
A Gary G Spot must be found.
Hey Gary G. Can I be your caddy? I'd be honoured to take a 12 ft bomb on the head, hand over the spare board and then get washed across the button for you brother.
Garry should only go out if it's at least 1 Garry, above a Laird minimum.
Good luck Gazza, also u should be on a Garry steed for the full Garry effect.
I'd like to nominate all of the big boy talkin upstart low ballers who've worked at the Curl for the last 20 years, it be nice to see them crying in their cars before the event start, maybe even the infamous Cat Fucker........Giddyup
You on the list viclocal?
Jeff Rowley and Maurice Cole death-match!
already happened in the courts , haha!
Good to see the Peninsula’s biggest balled mad-dog on the list too
Skeet?
Yep
haha what about josh morgan?
Boogie board?
I see there are a few Marks on the list. Does that include the Mark that surfs Bells all the time? Usually gets the pick of the bombs. Rides a big yellow gun.
Bella Wilson and Angela Ball will be getting a vote from me. Paddling out on a huge day a few years back when there were 14 or so.
"Bella Wilson and Angela Ball will be getting a vote from me."
Second that Bnkref. You could add a few other girls from Vic to that list. In fact, I'd say Victorian girls charge harder than 94% of Queensland blokes and 98% of Brazzos.
Gary reckons Luke Hynes the kneelo deserves a shout from that giant day 2 years ago. Absolutely dominated early when it was super raw.
Nice Gary. You come across as a man that likes variety.
That cripple definitely deserves a jersey. That was the biggest day I can remember and he dominated Winki while Robbo owned Bells. Vic Local is not too proud to say he did a fair bit on family time and household chores until mid morning when it became a little less threatening. Qdos to the nutters who paddled out for the dawnie.
Gary rocked up in the dark and a set closed out from Bells to Winki! Drove around for a bit then watched the show of people who were made of sterner stuff. Hynes was taking air drops at bells before tagging one past the button and moving down to Winki. Incredible surfing in very challenging conditions.
Gary surfed a nearby point around lunchtime and got a couple before a broken leash sent him in. Some real energy in the ocean that day.
Yeah the kneelo was dominating that day.
I stayed dry but it was something else watching on from the cliffs. I've got a video on my phone of what must be a 15ft set cleaning up everyone around 9am. A couple of the waves in that set were feathering over 1km out to sea! Probably won't ever see anything like it again.
Second that.
Yeh, Brandamati is on the list. He's great at reading the line-up and as you stated, makes good use of the mega bombs.
https://www.pcmag.com/feature/343134/boaty-mcboatface-and-9-other-times…
Margo
Unna Strayen for Vic Local to charge Qldurz with 98% foreign muck...
94% Qld blokes are hard & fast behind Gary G....d'd'd'don't you worry 'bout that!
Who's this Gary G imposter and what's with the Blue Stratos. Seems like he might like hang gliding more than surfing!!! Might have to switch to Old Spice before he gets the real garyg vote!!!
:)
:)
:)
Gary is a lot of things to a lot of people.
As long as what those people want is Gary.
Gary when I was a grommet I heard there was a carton of beer on offer for anybody who caught a wave from Bells past the Winkipop button.
What about a stand up paddle boarder? I am happy to be included.
SUP? Where’s my gun? And I’m not talking about a surfboard for big waves.
tbb salutes those here being serious & crew would be honoured to vote for them.
Ape Anonymous / Vic Local / Divstevens...& maybe Gary G all talk the talk?
I checked vote worthy option & voters can combo swellnet surfers over 3 lines.
Good as done! So tell yer Local- Swellnet nominated you as #1 Gun...(Well it's True!)
Hilarious thread.
I'm holding out for the 100 year storm. 50 year storms are for amateurs.
"50 year storms are for amateurs."
And they are so common too. We had one for the comp. 2 the year before and 3 in 2017.
Yeah, they're more like 50 minute storms these days. We had an actual 50 year storm here in 1968. No one's ever seen anything like it since. Looks like we could be due for another some time soon.