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"