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!

RCP ON THE ROAD TO 13th BEACH

Due to lack of swell at Bells the Rip Curl Pro relocated to 13th Beach. The swell kicked throughout the day and conditions varied on the incoming tide.

1976 was the last time the Rip Curl Pro was moved to 13th due to lack of swell.

That year Hawaii's Jeff Hackman won the event.

The main contest bank (photo taken mid 2009) RCP day wasn't quite as good, but still bangable.

Judging was setup on the back of a semi.

Wilko punting for a win over Dingo. Would go down to Taj next day at Winki.

Overcast conditions didn't stop the crowd from attending

.

Photogs all trying to get the money shot.

The road to Beacon.

RANDOM RIP CURL PRO 2010

Robbo - Surf Coast's great white hope.

Kekoa Bacalso aka Tank - Rockstar interview.

Who know's?

Flyby cam.

"THE ICEMAN COMETH"

Had his own surfing collector card #1

Appeared on 2 RCP posters.

You would be hard pressed to find a more qualified contest director for the Rip Curl Pro than Damien "Dooma" Hardman.

In his competitive days he was know as the "Iceman" a fierce competitor, super cool under pressure.

Dooma won countless WCT events during his career.

On 2 occasions, won the Rip Curl Pro and to cap it all off, 2 World Titles.

He relocated from his beloved Nth Narrabeen in 2007, and now lives and works on the Surfcoast, working for his long time sponsor, Rip Curl - Has been contest directing for 6 years.

This year Dooma will have an apprentice. Former WCT surfer Pancho Sullivan from Hawaii's North Shore.

Pancho's trademark gouge.

So what does a Contest Director do?

• Monitors swell forecasts, wind, weather, tides, wave consistency.

• Makes the call whether contest runs or heats continue.

• Consults with surfer reps.

• Also monitors backup wave locations.

These days there are numerous swell and weather forecast websites available, which certainly makes

life as a Contest Director a little easier.

Before the arrival of swell forecast websites, the ability to read weather maps and have reliable contacts down the coast to relay surf reports, was a must.

So when surf conditions are less than perfect for an event, spare a thought for the Contest Director and the tough calls they have to make.