"DAVO" GROMS FAVORITE

Chris "Davo" Davidson had an army of frothin' groms in his corner at this years Rip Curl Pro.

Davo, himself still a frothin' grom at 34 was ripping. On his way to the quarters he took out Kieren Perrow, Michel Bourez and Julian Wilson twice eventually falling to Jordy Smith. In stark contrast to the big money being paid to a handful of surfers, Davo, currently ranked 13th on the ASP World Title ranking is sponsor-less.

At a time when WCT surfers tend wear their game faces 24/7. It's great to see a personality like Davo on the tour.

Groms banner of support at Bird Rock.

Pumped for action on the final day.

Davo made it onto 2 Rip Curl Pro posters over the years.

(The feet belong to fiancee Carly)

UFO SPOTTED AT BELLS

Aussie ingenuity converts what appears to be a lettuce storage bowl with propellers, into a Unidentified Filming Object. Via remote control the UFO captured footage, high above all the Bells action.

Preparing for take-off.

Lift-off!

Hovering over the Bells bowl with the action 20 meters below.

WORK HARD, PLAY HARD?

Over Easter/Rip Curl Pro, Ford ran Mick Fanning and Ford Ranger Ads

with the tag line "Work hard, play hard"

This guy thought he could do a better job than Mick in his own version of the Ad.

Easter Saturday - Torquay.

SMOKING WAVES FOR THE 2011 RIP CURL PRO

The Rip Curl Pro score smoking waves for a full day of surfing at Bells in the morning and Winkipop in the arvo.

Winners are grinners. Jordy Smith wins his 2nd round heat in dying seconds against

sentimental favorite local Adam Robertson.

Adam Robertson matched it blow for blow with heavyweight Smith but fell 1.17 points short.

Robbo still a crowd favorite.

Bells Beach

The Womens 2nd round was hell in perfect Bells conditions.

While Bells was going off, Winkipop was absolutely cranking!

Winki

Winki

Mens 2nd round at Winki.

Great waves were on offer everywhere.

Tommy Petersen brother of living legend Michael Petersen.

Tom Curren (with towel) showing off the replica of his famous Channel Island "Black Beauty" surfboard.

The well worn path between Bells and Winki.

Camera gear grows wild on the surrounding cliffs.

1990 Womens World Champion Pam Burridge's wheels.

A sea of cars.

RIP CURL PRO 2011

The 2011 Rip Curl Pro wheel begins to turn.

Mainstream media mingle with surf media all hoping to get a scoop!

10 time World Champ gives everyone something to think about .

If losing your heat isn't bad enough. You then face a long lonely climb to waiting media.

Gromets get fun size Rincon to show their wares.

View from the video tower. Aint too shabby!

:) :( What's goin' on here??

Blue Steel's got nothin' on Coolangatta Gold!

50 YEARS IN THE MAKING

The longest continuous running contest in the world

“Bells Beach Rally”/Rip Curl Pro, considered to be one of the most
prestigious events to win on the World Tour celebrates
it's 50th anniversary this Easter and the crew at Rip Curl are gearing up for a big one.

The event started way back in 1961 as the “Bells Beach Rally”.

Ad for event ran in Australian Surfer magazine- artwork by Spurter's dad - Knuckles

The first Rip Curl Pro Easter 1973, with surfers competing for cash prizes which amounted to little more than their petrol and living expenses, and considerably less than their airfares! But the contest, won by the legendary Michael Peterson, set the wheels of the
professional train in motion.

1973 Event poster.

1973 Bells Beach.

With the likes of MP, MR, Occy, Sunny, Lisa Anderson and co all in town, Torquay will be packed with surfing's greatest legends.
Rumours are bubbling about potential “legends” surf off, surfing original boards.
Multi-award winning author Michael Gordon will be releasing a hard cover coffee table book titled “Bells”
The whisper is the 2011 contest site is in for complete design makeover.

MEMORABLE MOMENTS

1962 - The “Bells Beach Rally” was originally scheduled to run Dec 31st 1961 but was changed at the last minute to the Australia Day weekend January ‘62 so as not to clash with a Torquay SLSC event. Winner Glynn Ritchie (NSW)

1965 - The swell peaked at almost 20 feet. Winner - Robert Conneeley (NSW)

70’s - Hawaii’s Reno Abellira surfing in a wetsuit with flared legs.

1977 - Simon Anderson (NSW) wins Quiksilver Trials & Rip Curl Pro

1981 - With the swell reminiscent of ’65 Surfer/shaper Simon Anderson wins on his new “Thruster” design surfboard.

1983 - Joe Engel (QLD) wins Quiksilver Trials & Rip Curl Pro
1992 - Richie Collins (USA) Had God on his side wins event on his way to GeelongHospital.After injuring his back during the final Collins made his way to the beach and off to hospital leaving Martin Potter alone in the Rincon line up. The ocean went flat for the remainder of the heat. Collins had amassed enough points before his exit to secure the win.
2009 - Adam Robertson the most successful Victorian surfer. Wins the trials and places 2nd to Joel Parkinson in the main event.

OTHER STUFF

Most Rip Curl Pro wins.
Women: Lisa Anderson four Rip Curl Pro wins. 1990, 1992, 1995,1997.
Mens: Mark Richards four Rip Curl Pro wins. 1978, 1979, 1980, 1982.
Kelly Slater four Rip Curl Pro wins. 1994, 2006, 2008, 2010.

MORE OTHER STUFF

1961 - Soviets build wall dividing East and West Berlin. "Barbie" doll hooks up with "Ken" doll. (Ken turns 50 this year)
1973 - The Elvis "Aloha Satellite Show" telecast from Honolulu - the most expensive entertainment special ever staged costing 2.5 million.(These days 2.5 mil would be just for the band rider)
Pink Floyd release "Dark side of the moon" album.
Marvin Gaye has a number one hit with "Lets get it on"

70's influenced 2011 Rip Curl Pro Mens and Womens event posters.

Thanks to Bob Smith "World Champion surfing historian"

PEAK HOUR AT JAN JUC 30/1/11

Crowds flocked to Jan Juc for some relief from soaring temperatures.