Early Forecast: Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach
The Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach
March 26th - April 5th, 2024
This year's Easter is a relatively early one, falling on the 31st March. This places it squarely in a time of transition across southern Australia, with the summer lag keeping the westerly storm track at arm's length from the country. This means the Southern Ocean storms are yet to migrate north enough to bring the proper north-west to south-west wind pattern that favours the sheltered Surf Coast.
In its place we see weaker troughs breaking up persistent high pressure belts with winds angled more north-east to south-east.
Unfortunately, this scenario looks to be the case for the coming Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach.
In the lead up to the opening day - next Tuesday the 26th - we'll see building levels of swell thanks to an active train of polar frontal systems moving from west to east, under the country. On the backside of the frontal progression, a more significant polar low is set to develop, projecting a great fetch of gale to severe-gale winds up through Victoria's south-western swell window - see image below.
Thanks to the activity ahead of it, this fetch will be moving on top of an active sea state, leading to the generation of a large southwest groundswell for Monday afternoon, a day before the competition kicks off.
Winds will be generally favourable as the swell builds thanks to a frontal system spawning off the back of the low pushing up from the south-west, but come Tuesday, as Hells Bells rings out for the first time this year, strong south-southwest winds will be left in the wake of an overnight change. They'll ease through the day, yet remain from the same direction.
Large 6-8ft surf is expected: large, raw, and challenging conditions, with size easing through the day.
Unfortunately, after Tuesday's change the pattern will revert to seasonal type with a large, blocking high moving in, bringing moderate to fresh south-southeast winds as the swell eases back from 4ft on Wednesday. The wind will rotate even more easterly on Thursday as the swell fades further.
With all this in mind, Tuesday might have to be a surf day regardless of the wind.
It's the aforementioned blocking high that'll do the damage for most of the waiting period, with it sitting across Victoria's prime swell window from early next week through until Friday when it should finally start shifting east.
During this period every significant wind field will be directed away from Victoria; there'll be no swells of note due, with size topping out around 2 feet, though at least local winds will tend more variable.
There is hope towards the end of the waiting period as a series of distant storms fire up towards Western Australia later next week and into the weekend, helping push the high east. With this, a renewal of swell energy is on the cards for the final days of the waiting period, but local winds are the big unknown.
Keep an eye out for updates in the comments below along with a follow up forecast just before the waiting period kicks off.
Comments
they won't move the event to Johanna will they?
Doubtful given its so far away with no infrastructure set up.
That's grim
Airlift it to the super bank.
Run it in 3 days.
In all seriousness…..this is the answer.
Fuck bells
Last year was unbelievably bad- this year might be worse- they will have to run on some atrocious days.
Ziff is the Global Waterman of the Year and a billionaire and still can’t find or buy a wave a decent wave in the Southern Hemisphere’s autumnal season of swell bounty for his little theatrical production. The best surfers in the world twiddling their thumbs somewhere in the colon of Australia that is Victoria, whilst epic pits spit their tubular guts at 100 exotic locations within a few hours plane ride.
Lol, stinky Vic
I saw that, great pic! How were the colours.
Did it work? I couldn’t see it on my end.
Yeah it was a ripper
Afternoon run from Rye to Sorrento through the national park but I left it a bit late and finished in the dark ha ha. Nice sunset though
Yep, I could see!
colon of Australia would make the coast the perineum
Ziff does an excellent job of making being a billionaire look like the most un fun thing ever. What's the point of having bags of cash if you can't throw it around on your pet tour to ensure the surfers get great waves to perform in. Would increase his bragging rights 1000% and maybe even make the thing something that someone else wanted to buy.
The least he could do is challenge Freeride to an MMA matchup for all of his trash talk
We're still the best part of a week out from the start. Any reliance on weather predictions past 8 days is pure crystal ball stuff.
What we do know, is there's a bucket load of wet season stuff still in the guts of the northern continent, that can throw a curve ball at the whole freeeekn country. I've seen former cyclones come down from the NW/ Nt, and move off the coast near Cape Uplift, creating all kinds off "oooohs" and "aaahhhhs", joining the southern storm belt. I'm not saying thats gonna happen hahahaha. Im just saying , 12 days is a loooooong time in weather forecasts.
Run bells at the end of may, when we all know the waiting period will cop some decent waves, I know it’s an Easter thing but, everyone wants to see big walls there, not 2 foot inside sloppy grovel
As much as I like watching a pumping bells comp, I’d rather surf it even more without the circus in town. Gets it out of the way nice and early this way
It doesn't look great for the philistine coast either - forecast 2-3 foot? I vote somewhere in indo.
in 1979 (Surfabout) they went mobile. This is the only real future of CONSISTENT high level pro surfing, imo. Two month waiting period in Australia for three comps held at any location (including Fiji) on any day. Get rid of the locker rooms, cafeteria and all that bullshit. Grass roots 'infrastructure' (some beach umbrellas & eskies) with high tech broadcasting.
In a fantasy world, mega swell hits for WA, which is surfed for 2 days. Then fly to Bells for a new comp to surf the same swell. Lol... then fly to Fiji for the same swell. Something like this. If a comp is not finished then fly back for the final day.
The same in Hawaii. If its too big or wrong swell direction for Pipe, run the comp at Sunset. Then return to Pipe. The return to Sunset until finished.
The Eddie is a grass roots comp. The competitors just turn up in their cars and its on! No hot showers, no restaurant, no lockers. Fark even the last Eddie winner surfed heats between work shifts. This shows the glitz of WSL is unnecessary. In Tahiti the competitors just stay in people's houses and spend the day in boats. No locker room bullshit, no lounges, no VIP seats.
How do you reckon the guy or gal who's saved their coin all year for a trip to Cloudy is gonna feel when a loudspeaker calls them out of the water?
Dirk Ziff already addressed this in his Waterman of the Year acceptance speech. He said that grumpy locals need to remember that they’re robbing Griffin Colapinto and Caroline Marks of their lifelong dreams with their selfish behaviour.
The question being: Why do you hate Caroline so much that you’d crush her dreams into the dirt, Stu?
I reckon we should all be grateful that Dirk is there selflessly defending the desperate hopes of that sweet little, big-eyed girl in pigtails from the evil black-hat villains like Stu Nettle.
For shame.
You make it sound like it's absolute.
Every man has a price.
And to leave six-foot Cloudy and make that li'l girl's dream come true, not to mention awareness who's bankrolling the thing, I have mine.
Bidding for the exit fee starts at a mill.*
* Bid price goes up in relation to surf size.
Sweet Caroline thinking she’s sharing a blissful moment with Stu at empty Cloudy as a perfect one wave set approaches….not realising that Stu is about to paddle straight over her and into position because Ziff’s cheque hasn’t cleared yet.
OK. Fiji does not need to be included. Just an Aussie leg.
Based on the first three events this year, the best waves of the event will be on the last day of the waiting period.
No sweat, just wait patiently until then.
hahahah- it sure looks like it.
Could they get lucky and jag a good day for the Finals?
Same shite different year. Time to move it or change it to magic may…
Why not make it 21st April or some fixed date like all the other contests.
Whats Easter go to do with it...its a surf contest.
Bums on seats , spectators, tradition.
Yep if Bells is to remain on tour, time to de-couple it from Easter to give it a chance of some sort of decent conditions worthy of a pro-event. It can remain as is for 2025 as Easter is a later April date (21st), but after that it then goes April 5th, March 28th (!), April 16, April 1 and so on.
Big call to make, but needs to happen.
Never, ever happen. Even if the Wozzle falls in a stinking heap, Rip Curl will still run their 'surf rally' as a standalone event over Easter.
Rip Curl sponsors two contests, and the last few years they sponsored even more, including the Finals Day, which people don't like but they came to the party when the Woz needed a backer.
Then change Easter to fit in with Bells!
Simple ;-)
Very woke way of thinking.
Cheers Karen.
Haha
I just read on wikepedia Australian Crawl were sponsors in the 80s? far out. didn't know that story.
'84 from memory. Cheyne won it that year on a Lexcen star fin, beating Tom Carroll in the final.
Only needed Austen Tayshus to recite 'Australiana' and the scene was complete.
Those were the days - all aussie not yankified.
Was great year, me and the boys and a few tinnies under the cliffs at Rincon watching the final. Cheyne's down the line speed was epic to watch from literally a few feet away.
With an early Easter reckon they could have at least had the waiting period start with Easter? Next Friday instead of next Tuesday is only 3 days but that gets 3 more days in April. Assume they are hoping to run non-elimination before the weekend to draw crowds when it gets consequential (draw wise at least).
if La Nina is more the norm moving forward and basing my opinion on what the last 4 years have been like, you could move the event to June and it likely to be shite. Also, assume the GOAT one wont be attending based on Craig's forecast.
Or…..just shift the entire shitshow to Uluwatu, park a sweaty Maurice Cole on the steps in his puffy jacket and surf good, warm water waves whilst we all agree to pretend that we are at a grey ocean , freezing cold Bells.
It’s called suspension of disbelief and I for one am willing to entertain the idea.
You are really soft Slackyokel.
I think that's the Bell's walls you're thinking of.
Very, very soft. Like a marshmallow. Like a vealer calf who has never left the stall into which it was born and who received gentle massage each day to evenly distribute its subcutaneous fat.
That’s why I wouldn’t go to Victoria. Soft is bad enough but soft and pasty white…..eeeww.
Ha, Ha you are the quintessential Queenslander who thinks Port Macquarie is freezing and anywhere south of Sydney is a no go zone - which is a good thing as it crowded enough as it is. However that fat would come in handy around July when air temp and water is around 13-14º maybe get away with a short arm steamer?
But seriously…..I don’t really understand Victoria’s place in the Australian surfing Parthenon. If it wasn’t for a couple of surf companies springing from Torquay and their ensuing propaganda about the joint and their contest it’d basically be forgotten and ignored. And rightfully so.
Victoria is OK I guess but that’s some faint praise. It doesn’t really offer anything unique or unrivalled to the travelling surfer.
If you want to toddle around a cold weather spot enjoying views, nice food and the odd wave its got nothing on Tassie.
If you want good waves in cold water it’s got nothing on SA.
If you want great hollow waves it’s got virtually nothing.
If you want skin-bared sun kissed hedonism it’s In negative territory compared to QLD.
It doesn’t have the endless set ups and variety of NSW.
It’s not the prettiest. Not the hollowest. Not a frontier. Not adventure. Not glamorous or exciting. Not great ocean thrills like fishing or diving. No great sunsets. Not the clearest water or breathtaking beaches.
It’s the NOT coast.
Hey….I’ve been there a few times and had fun times and fun waves but if it wasn’t located between other spots not too many crew would visit. Unless you’ve never been it already gets the swerve if crew are heading West because it’s own its own little corner.
I found these old photos this morning from my first trip through Vicco. Only showing the most obvious spots but I’ve surfed every coast down there and had good times.
The defining question being:Would I ever go back on a stand alone visit? Zero chance.
Don’t think you’ll miss me though…
BTW….I don’t actually dislike VIC. Just quietly hoping some one-eyed die hard will defend the joint and let me know if there’s something I’m missing. Plus I enjoy when people get passionate about their special places!
Ha, the bait is laid.
Pantheon not Parthenon
You mean the temple in Roma with the hole in the cupola? Me being too serious not sure why you have such a hard on for Victoria if is was warm it would be just as crowded as up north (which it is approaching on the west coast) and has numerous heavy set ups (hollow) if you want to explore and some great points with long rides and plenty of oomf behind them that handle size (something Sydney or Queensland only do at a few selected spots). There is only 1 Kirra and it only works on the odd occasion these spots work regularly because that is something we have over everybody else (except WA) - consistent swell at periods of 14+.
“Victoria if is was warm it would be just as crowded as up north “
And if I was better looking and could act I’d be Brad Pitt.
The Parthenon is in Greece, I think. There used to be one in Newcastle but it went the way of the Star.
“ Victoria is OK I guess but that’s some faint praise. It doesn’t really offer anything unique or unrivalled to the travelling surfer.”
You mean apart from having the best big wave in Australia and probs top 10 in the world?
Which I’m actually too scared to surf but ignore that.
I moved from the east coast to vic
Great training grounds, great place to study higher education ,
Never understood afl.....
Found plenty of hollow waves, found it hard to find crowded waves.
Spent most times surfing solo
That was 20 + years ago though.
Great big wave training ground.
Also now crowded AF down the surf coast.
Bait taken Craig!
Being a lifelong Victorian, for the most part don’t disagree with your assessment slack!
However, will counter argue some of your points.
Surfed from Eyre Peninsula to Noosa and wouldn’t have thought most places in Oz would offer anything unique or unrivalled.
Never surfed Tassie but from what I understand there is only an odd wave and distance is an issue.
SA, love it, but distance and the not so friendly sea life wouldn’t appeal to many.
Agree on hollow waves comment.
Sun kissed hedonism never been my thing and too old for that shit.
Agree with NSW set ups compared to Vic. However, saying Victoria does not have variety is a bit rich unless you are looking for long peeling lefts.
Where is a frontier nowadays unless you want some obscure place like Alaska. Not adventure?? Depends on what you are after.
The beauty of the Victorian coast is its raw beauty and the elements. Agree, not for everyone but it will do me.
As for crowds, the Labor day long weekend was hot, offshore and tourism was off the charts. However, manage to surf a nice right reef break on the Monday with only six out at 5pm for 2 hours.
Can still get a good surf with manageable crowds if you know your breaks, unless you want to surf Possos, Winki or Bells.
Good and bad points no matter where you live just got to make the most of what you got and roll with it.
Nicely counted there.
All I'll really say is I like the seasons of Vicco (Spring aside, which once footy finals are done, offers little joy to me). A great autumn day in Vic is as good if not better than any great day anywhere in this country. Not just related to surf, more so the general ambience,; the smells & feels of the day from dawn to post-dusk.
Not quite the spittle-flecked jingoism for which I was hoping. Bloody Victorians don’t even rate as hysterical patriots. I thought you crew went full retard with your tribalism as shown with your AFL support?
Instead I get pleasantly fond recollections featuring reason, realism and nuance.
Here’s your new number plate slogan : “Victoria….Waves so meh that even we can’t overstate them”
Thanks for the reply crew. Actually sounds pretty nice when you describe it.
if we could fuck La Nina off and go back to the old days life would be much better
autumn my fav as well. waters not too cold that your plums are trying to escape into your stomach. schools and uni have gone back and the tourists thin out because it's getting colder. however, nothing makes you feel more alive than that first duck dive in the middle of winter, regardless of how much rubber you are wearing
Vic is good for the more the average/above average surfer. The 90%. For this category ot provides the highest return on investment. Its consistent, uncrowded and challenging enough for a lifetime.
The recent images of Kirra are a classic example. The 90% of surfers have no chance or business in getting anything worthy at a session like that. Crowds and grinding sand tubes. Don't get me wrong, I dream of having chances to try my luck out there atva session like that, but I know disappointment will be present. Also, cant imagine having to deal with that regularly - the crowds, the froth etc. I'm sure I could make a few drops and be quickly outrun by the tube....or dropped in on. But just not overall a fun experience.
Instead, on the March long weekend I surfed an empty, 3-5ft beachie with plenty of grunt and cover ups in boardies. Much more satisfying and good for the soul.
And as has been mentioned - experiencing the variety of seasons is just good for you. Makes you feel alive.
One question sjy
Are you a grommet?
Yep. Only just got out of my teens thirty two years ago.
51 year old grommenter.....
Nice pics.
Victoria is a simple equation, and this equation is exactly why the aforementioned surf companies had so much success.
When it’s on, it’s bloody on. And often all day. Perfect offshores, solid walls, and raw ocean. You down tools and surf.
But when it’s not, it’s not. And you work all day.
virtually nothing
Oh well, probably some fun waves on the beaches for us regular folk.
Yeah im not complaining especially with weather and water temp lately.
Yep love it down out way when it is like this.
For what it's worth: WSL lands in Aus. Let's say they Run 3 contests, Goldy, Bells and Margs over the allotted time frame while in Aus, however they choose what's working at the time to ensure best waves for the professional surfers and appreciated fans. Still a gamble but better odds. Yeah, i know (Local council, bi laws) maybe more expensive to run. Maybe I'm dreaming.
This whole Wozzle show can't go on much longer surely. What happens with the Wozzle when Ziff kicks the bucket? Will the Wozzle last until then?
Years ago, no one complained about the surf before it arrived . Theres still plenty to do in Torquay. Ffs theres still a pub there and its still just surfing . Thats how nature is. Embrace the reality of Bells and Easter !
Whilst we’re complaining, the pub serves beer in plastic cups…
That is a bigger issue than the timing of Bells.
It's a national disgrace and a real blight on the venue.
Has there been a Royal Commission?
We've held them for less.
I’ll raise it with my local member
And they don't serve ponies (6oz) or glasses (7oz) and sometimes not even a pots (10oz middy for you uncouth northerners) everything is a scooner (un Victorian) or a pint (un Australian).
A pony is also known as a sip.
A very pleasant sip around the middle of the day with a spot of lunch - for ladies and gentleman. Very civilised.
Schooners need to be made mandatory for all licensed venues in Victoria. Nothing worse than a pot & pint only pub. Will add this as an agenda item for the royal commission into the Torquay Hotel.
Pints and half pints is nice and simple.
There are more names upthread than different speed zones we have.
Too pommy for my tastes and too much liquid for my stomach, however good in an English pub where you can sit on it for hours. Gets to warm in Oz (yes even unbelievably Victoria).
If advertising execs had the gonzo of yore, there'd be an on-point youtube yeti ad set in the Torq Pub carpark, featuring a 10-point-cooler in the back of a ute, surrounded by revelers necking vic longnecks. To supplement an ad with forever-hot yeti cups of sunrise-surf-check bonsoy lattes.
(dig the updated pic btw - elo as a mexican bandito at first glance..)
Jug, with pots is very vicco
Yes sure is I go back a bit too far unfortunately it was Jug and glasses in the olden days, if you used pots it didn't go around as many people.
You wacky Australians with your crazy beer glass names.
For real? The Torquay Pub sells beer in plastic cups?
Jokes aside….that’s fcuking atrocious if true. Why would anyone ever set foot in the joint?
Ladies and gentlemen of Torquay- you know what you have to do if we hope to maintain our civilisation
Exactly.
Getting sick of the woke brigade dictating to me that I can't have a full strength beer at many sports or have my schooey of New in a proper glass. Punish those that misbehave and don't let them ruin it for the rest of us who just want to enjoy things how they are meant to be enjoyed!!! I know that is a simplistic view but geez
It's incredibly rare that I do step foot in the joint for this very reason. I'm not some savage that needs his beer in a cup, and refuse to be treated as such. Doesn't help that I never carry my ID and without it can't just wander in for a quick coupla
Huh? You’ve got to show ID to get a beer? Are you talking for establishing you’re over 18 or just being required to show ID to establish Identity?
Fuck the Torquay Pub. What a tyrannical shithole ….treats its patrons like potential criminals on probation.
Pretty rough too I believe.
Plastickings are a regular occurrence.
hahahahahahaha.
Whaahaahaa gold!
20 plastic cups slotted together might leave a mark.
ID required on entry just to grace the venue with your presence, which if in the area and looking to drop by for a couple of plastic infused cold ones, is unable to occur without carrying ID (I'm of age where whilst flattered to be asked, you're not Einstein if you can tell I'm not 17).
I'm sure they'll give you a paper straw though, save the planet etc
Sounds like a fun place. I bet they charge an arm and a leg.
"The Torquay Hotel is a place free from discrimination, where everyone belongs. We respect and celebrate the diversity of our communities, including people of all cultural and faith backgrounds, classes, gender or sexual identities, ages and abilities and we are committed to creating a safe and welcoming space for all."
Think I'll stick with the ornery bastards at the dank shithole I often frequent.
I managed to sweet talk a female competitor to come across the road to my swag at the Torquay caravan park one year for a bit of Bingo Bango Pickled Mango so I’ve got fond memories of the pub.
And no it wasn’t JMD.
Give us a clue
I'm guessing Bevo
Sasha Jane ?
Tyler?
That's fucked.
Yep it is what it is, it’s still a tradition for many. Bells deserves to stay as a comp. Waves or no waves take it for what it is….. a surfing competition.
They need a back up can’t run the comp if it 2foot Rincon puss burgers or the same at winki . They used to do it it’ll be a crsp spectacle otherwise
Didn't they run it at Woolamai one year?
It'll be 3-4 and light offshore at Woolies Fri-Sat-Sun this Easter.
2005 I think.
Trent Munro won.
No banks at Johanna that year and a tiny swell was being picked up on some rippable mid to high tide banks at Woolies on a hot day with light muggy NE all day.
They were going to hop on ferry and come to the MP but they thought that Blokes Island had more back ups if the wind swung around.
Yes think it was 2005 or 2006?
Trent Munro won it.
My boss called me into the office and said "Your a surfer aren't you?" and then told me to go and get the permit signed and make sure no one was in the sand dunes and stay at Woollamai for the duration of the comp.
Got the permit signed, met all the pros including the GOAT but there were a 100s in the sand dunes (no kids went to school that week) so got the contest director to put over an announcement and then surfed the A frame peak next door to the comp bank for the next 3 days.
Water eye view and got paid to surf.
Munro beat Irons.
It was 2005. 2006 was epic.
It must have been a young Andy.
Few months after his 3 world titles Andy.
Haha
The late 90's and early 2000's were lost years to me. Kids and work.
These locations and their conditions keep the non relevant surfers competitive. Should’ve called the title after Hawaii. Pretty accurate representation.
Looks like we could see the change on Tuesday being delayed more towards the middle of the day.
This would provide a great morning of surf to kick off competition with easing 6ft+ sets across the bowl.
Yea not looking so bad!
It would make sense to start the comp a day early to take advantage of the good conditions on Monday as well as Tuesday. Surely everyone would be there and ready to go. Then have the rest of the waiting period to find another decent day.
Good call Weatherman
now now weatherman. Don't start using common sense for the WSL. it just doesn't go together.
Take the Grand Prix approach and just take over half the coast for six months.
Unfortunately it’ll take all day ( possibly the best day of surf ) to lose 4 surfers in the elimination round. I almost can’t be bothered with day one, as there’s not much on the line ……seeding? Meh .
Let's all move to Queensland the cultural centre of Australia. The place sporting teams go to die, where daylight savings is far too complicated for them to grasp, where you can drink beer in a glass and then have it smashed in your face by a meth head on Cavill Ave and enjoy a quiet paddle with 400 of your mates. Fuckin paradise.
ahaha
That’s just your lack of Vitamin D making you narky. There’s more cultural value in the concept of a QLD meter maid alone than in the entirety of Victoria.
To be honest, I kind of feel for you. It’s obvious you’re distraught but you can’t even whinge to your mates cause they’ve all moved to the Sunshine Coast.
That has to be the high point of culture on the philistine coast.
Only people from Victoria and Western Sydney drink beer in Cavill Ave.
Don't forget Sir Joe and the white shoe brigade!
Bells is amazing to watch when it's on, and absolutely punishing as a spectacle when it's not.
I know, water is wet.
But someone had to say it.
You were just born in the wrong state,
As it seems you are now allergic to full suits and cold water.
Tropical surfers curse ........
Hawaii and indo surfers suffer greatly.
If palm trees don’t grow there, I don’t go there.
word.
A yes but does the contrary apply?
"Where the beach needs reconstruction, where the palm trees have it hard"
You could try Lorne?
Or I hear St kilda gets a nice wave in a 40knot Sou'Westerly
haha, was waiting for this; you did it with pictures
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhopalostylis_sapida
pack your ski jackets fellas
Lost doggy is on fire !!!!!•
dont blow up the spot
:D
Username checks out.
Yes it does re username @ lostdoggy
The tradition of Bells at easter has been for decades, for longer than most of you have been surfing. Some times its good, sometimes its very bad, sometimes it is in between. If you don't like when easter is ring Jesus, otherwise lets try and respect some traditions that we still have.
I would, but he obviously never checks his messages.
I already left one.
Jesus, mate. Maaaaayte! Can you do something about this Easter timing and this shitty Bells forecast. Please!
Paging Optimist.
I don't think his number is blocked.
do i cook my scotch fillet for 2.5 min or 3 for medium rare.....i always forget which time is correct
The date for Easter is decided by the Passover celebration the Jews still celebrate, you know. The exodus of the Hebrews from Egypt under Moses and those rich Egyptians buried in those pyramids. So yeah Jesus hands are tied "not literally" when it comes to the Easter dates.
umm.. burn?
As for the size of your beer and what its being given to you in , pretty sure after enough , none of that is any more relevant than what the surf is like.
all good @fishnsurf, I enjoyed your first point:
"Years ago, no one complained about the surf before it arrived . Theres still plenty to do in Torquay. Ffs theres still a pub there and its still just surfing . Thats how nature is. Embrace the reality of Bells and Easter !"
just didn't really understand what your second was.
There were other comments suggesting people ring Jesus to have the easter contest dates changed , I was just offering the reason behind the constant changing of the dates for easter each year.
i cant give the exact reason why it changes . But i believe it has something to do with the natural phases the earth constantly goes through.
First Sunday after the first full moon after spring (N Hemi) equinox.
Well played IB, I love that party trick too.
I wonder how many on here complaining about the timing also like to have conversations about good surf and the moon.
Who would have thought the WSL is helping to keep alive 1000s year old traditions huh ?
And some brainy mathematicians in the Gregorian days. To make it fit a calendar( man made) or something like that.
Pagan origins before Judaism. Celebrating we can stop freezing our arses off and eat a couple of lambs and grow some shit again.
Just out of pure curiosity, What pagan writings do you have to back up the claim that Judaism is a clone of their beliefs ?
Seriously?
I'm just going to go off on a tangent here, before it spirals into some dumb shit.
But during "covid" the powers that be managed to ban the easter contest at bells. Which to some might not be that big of a deal and in all honesty it probably isn't. But they also managed to the best of their ability to ban the celebration of Easter . Which given its importance to so many, and its origin and history is a huge deal. Don't be fooled by those who wish to call it all some pagan copy. Because the real paganism is this government/wokism that wishes to control everything you do and say. you will all be drinking 0.0 alchohol from biodegradable god knows what in order not to offend anybodys feelings within the universe if they have their way.
Well said fishnsurf that was a taste of the new world order that we've been warned about over the years.
Ah FFS. are you one of those "god is my vaccine" tards? Or just a plain cooker complaining about "woke' without actually know what it is other than "I just don't like it so therefore its woke"?
maaate, afsher a coupla beers,... try nota spray " a precipitable water anomaly" in someone's face.
Wowsers
You pulled the bath plug fishnsurf
It’s starting to spiral
ps it spirals differently doesn’t it depending on what hemisphere you’re in?
Nah not really but begs the question why do we follow the Christian update on a Judaic update on a spring fertility festival from the north when we’re heading into winter?
Its Passover
Depending on what hemisphere your in its either completely terrifying or liberating.
Thought Easter was a Spring fertility ritual, a religious resurrection & a public holiday
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-04-15/the-origins-of-easter-from-pagan…
Probably because we've reached peak spiral?
So what are the odds on that Slater doesn't show now ..must have changed since the baby reveal?
hes not gunna show ....i wouldn't
For all our northern brothers , Yes we all know that the Goldy points have been on fire lately , but it wasn't that long ago that the Quicky Pro was decided in 1 foot Dbah ( I think Italo won ?)
All comps are subject to Mother Nature , and Bells for the most part has delivered over its 50 plus years .
and while were on the subject of beers - Fark me how's the price of a stubby over the bar these days ! 10 bucks at my local - better than a plastic cup tho - that is seriously fucked up !
Is there any chance they can at least move up to 13th?
Also fond memories of Torquay Pub for same reasons as Goofyfoot.
Sorry, won't hear a bad word about the joint.
Outlook for Day 1 is much improved now, should kick off in great waves.
$12 for a plastic cup of beer at the Kingy Hotel on the weekend.
Fark! That is crazy.
No wonder Australia has a meth problem. Cheaper to be a junkie.
$9 something cents at Northies but it is served in glass (I think they go plastic after like 9pm). Still way over the top - tell me how a case of beer averages $2 a bottle and they charge 5x that for a schooey which has to be cheaper to produce etc. even including staff wages. # Qualifier $20 tax on a slab and about $1 on a pub beer.
They had to pay for S Mcleods return flight from Adelaide
$5 schooners of any beer, 6-9pm Saturday nights, Ballina golf club when the bands are on.
Must be desperate for punters.
ROUND 1, HEAT 3: John John Florence (HAW), Seth Moniz (HAW), Kelly Slater (USA)
They'll kick off around 7.30am you'd think (first light at 7), with low-tide at 8am, so if that's heat 3 then we should get those 3 in the bowl around 9:30 with clean 6fters.
I'll take that... though will watch on replay as I'll be getting wet somewhere myself :D
Come on Kelly!! Dad strength. Get down there and get your hands dirty.
Save me a a double countery you bastard!!
6ft Bells Bowl, against JJF and Seth might almost get him there I reckon.
Sweeeeet!
He won't like an early heat though, lucky he's not in the first one.
He's already a dad, but from what i understand didnt get his hands dirty at all.
hahaha!
Very good Burleigh.
Ha !
I think George Costanza had an idea for a baby's name of Seven ?
Given that , maybe Kelly will name the new offspring Eleven ??
......
@ southey tab!
As per my username…,I am a tourist….:I did however used To live in Apollo bay for 10 years. I wanted to come
Down on the first day (26th March). I have no knowledge of surfing and don’t surf myself but still thought it might be fun. Will I see anything on the Tuesday?! I’m sure it won’t be the best day BUT maybe enough for an
Amateur like me to watch?
Do it. Tuesday is looking much better now.
Easing surf from the 6ft range with morning offshores. They'll run.
Awesome thanks :)
You reckon it’s ok To turn up at noon for It on Thursday? Will it be busy?
You should book a lesson and get in amongst it.
https://www.cheynehoran.com.au/surf-lessons/
Update:
We've got a better wind outlook for early-mid next week thanks to a delayed and more zonal frontal system moving through on Monday. This will also add some sizey, consistent mid-period SW swell to the mix on Tuesday morning along with Monday arvo/evening's, easing S/SW groundswell.
We should see a mix of swells in the 6ft range Tuesday morning with offshore winds, shifting onshore into the afternoon, clean again for a period Wednesday morning and to 4ft, with a S/SW change due later morning.
So expect competition to get under way both Tuesday and Wednesday.
Here's another crystal ball outlook for the last few days;
Don't see anything under 100o .....
longest WSL thread without a mention of Trestles i've seen in a long while. the therapy must be paying off or the usual suspects have been distracted by the initial and now out of date forecast for shit surf at Bells.
can't wait for this comp and hope they don't need to go to Winki. Bells is a quality comp wave. plenty of bread and butter for contestable heats and sometimes (when it's truly pumping) some cream.
I was having a good morning until you reminded me of Trestles finals
Love Bells. It's had the odd bad year but one thing is for sure, Bells delivers memorable moments and creates legends. Every aspirational grom needs to grow up dreaming of winning the bell. History is important in sport.
Well said.
Yep, I agree with Dawnperisope as well. You only have to look at the couple of WOTD photos this past week by Steve Arkley and Romy Becker-Roache to see what Bells can deliver. In 20 years time the finals held at Trestles won't be remembered by many, but Bells will still be relevant.
Tully Wylie and Ellie Harrison won the trials for Bells.
I've had some of the best waves of my life in Victoria .
Great local crew too (exception being Torquay).
You need to get out more.
I moved from SEQ to Vic a year ago and have had better (and more uncrowded) waves in a year than I did in 3 years up there.
shhh:)
I just wanted to check before I head down Tuesday, and as it’s only 48 hours away perhaps the forecast is now more predictable, would it still be worth going?
I’ve never been to
A surf competition before so I suppose as
Long as they are actually surfing I’ll probably be entertained. Will the surfing still be going ahead? Also how busy is it likely To be on Tuesday down there? And what time should I arrive? Thanks :) :)
Can anyone offer any advice on the above :)
Yes it should be on for sure. First heat probably 730am or so.
Not sure how busy it will be. Can take a while getting a park and getting in but as it’s not Easter weekend it might be okay. If you’re there before say 830/9 it should be pretty pain free.
Was quite cold down there this morning. Bring warm clothes.
Thanks :) I wasn’t planning on getting there until around midday. Is that too late? What time does it run until??
Depends on conditions on the day but I think they’re likely to run most of the day on Tues.
Morning will have the best conditions.
Looks like swell starting to fill in on Winki cam.
Can't believe how many people are out there who can barely trim, make a takeoff or complete a basic turn.
Vastly outnumbering competent surfers.
One of the main reasons I don't miss the circus at Snapper. The kook factor either side of the contest goes through the roof
Anyone who can surf is at D-bah SR.
Geez, winki is bonkers busy
They must all be so so worried about their privacy and that camera….
Oddly, Bells at 1.30 just gone was least crowded I've ever seen it on a Sunday. Onshore but still clean. Few pros, few average Joes.
Pretty certain they will try and get the pesky no consequence warm up rounds done tomorrow for the men at least then the handful of eliminations.
Can they change the start date like that. Permits etc etc . Doubt it.
Oh my bad - tomorrow is the 25th not the 26th so definitely no start tomorrow.
Fun waves this morning. Busy with all the pros out.
I paddled out in the dark thinking I was the first out but Jordy was already out and must have been a good 10-15 minutes ahead of me. Keen.
Probably would've been crew out all through the night with that moon last.
Gotta admire the unwavering froth of some top level pros
The surf has been fucked here for 3 years (La Nina). Would be cruel to see anything else at the comp.
Looks pretty fun this morning. Saw a jet ski heading out from Bells to drop someone outside at Winki. Thats sure to impress the pack when its only four foot
That was Tully. Nobody gave a shit.
The sooner this circus is run and packed up the better....this sentiment seems to increase every year and set up and pack up time is f@#%*& ridiculous.
Must be a union site.....
Tomorrow will pump and the rest will be a grovel fest unless you have stickers and contracts and you perform regardless.
Bring on proper autumn/winter cycles without the impost of a contest and clogged carpark and lineups
alota wind & waves down south
https://www.windy.com/?2024033100,-52.160,120.938,3,m:cBbakbA