2012 WHO WILL RING THE BELL? FROM AGE*2011 Joel Parkinson (3) AUST/QLD 302010 Kelly Slater (4)** USA/FLO 382009 Joel Parkinson (2) AUST/QLD 282008 Kelly Slater (3)** USA/FLO 362007 Taj Burrow AUST/WA 282006 Kelly Slater (2)** USA/FLO 342005 Trent Munro AUST/NSW 262004 Joel Parkinson AUST/QLD 232003 Andy Irons (2)** USA/HAW 242002 Andy Irons** USA/HAW 232001 Mick Fanning AUST/NSW 192000 Sunny Garcia (3)** USA/HAW 301999 Shane Dorian USA/HAW 261998 Mark Occhilupo AUST/QLD 311997 Matt Hoy AUST/NSW 261996 Sunny Garcia (2) USA/HAW 261995 Sunny Garcia USA/HAW 251994 Kelly Slater** USA/FLO 221993 Damien Hardman (2) AUST/NSW 271992 Richie Collins USA/CAL 231991 Barton Lynch AUST/NSW 271990 Tom Curren (2)** USA/CAL 251989 Martin Potter** UK 231988 Damien Hardman AUST/NSW 221987 Nick Wood AUST/NSW 161986 Tom Carroll AUST/NSW 241985 Tom Curren** USA/CAL 201984 Cheyne Horan AUST/NSW 231983 Joe Engel AUST/QLD 221982 Mark Richards (4)** AUST/NSW 251981 Simon Anderson (2) AUST/NSW 261980 Mark Richards (3)** AUST/NSW 231979 Mark Richards (2)** AUST/NSW 221978 Mark Richards AUST/NSW 211977 Simon Anderson AUST/NSW 221976 Jeff Hakman USA/HAW 271975 Michael Peterson (3) AUST/QLD 221974 Michael Peterson (2) AUST/QLD 211973 Michael Peterson AUST/QLD 201972 Terry Fitzgerald AUST/NSW 221971 Paul Neilsen AUST/QLD 191970 Nat Young 3 AUST/NSW 221969 Ted Spencer 2 AUST/NSW 201968 Ted Spencer AUST/NSW 191967 Nat Young 2 AUST/NSW 191966 Nat Young AUST/NSW 181965 Rob Conneeley AUST/NSW 181964 Mick Dooley AUST/NSW 221963 Doug Andrew AUST/NSW 191962 Glynn Ritchie AUST/NSW 17

2012 WHO WILL RING THE BELL? FROM AGE*2011 Sally Fitzgibbons AUST/NSW 202010 Stephanie Gilmore AUST/NSW 222009 Silvana Lima BRAZIL 242008 Stephanie Gilmore AUST/NSW 202007 Stephanie Gilmore AUST/NSW 192005 Sofia Mulanovich PERU 242000 Megan Abubo USA/HAW 221999 Layne Beachley AUST/NSW 261998 Layne Beachley AUST/NSW 251997 Lisa Andersen USA/FLO 281996 Pauline Menczer AUST/NSW 251995 Lisa Andersen USA/FLO 261994 Layne Beachley AUST/NSW 211993 Pauline Menczer AUST/NSW 221992 Lisa Andersen USA/FLO 231991 Pauline Menczer AUST/NSW 201990 Lisa Andersen USA/FLO 211989 Wendy Botha AUST/NSW 231987 Kim Mearig USA/CAL 251986 Jodie Cooper AUS/WA 221985 Frieda Zamba USA/FLO 201984 Frieda Zamba USA/FLO 191982 Debbie Beacham USA/CAL 291980 Margo Oberg USA/HAW 261979 Lynne Boyer AUST/VIC 231978 Margo Oberg USA/HAW 241977 Margo Oberg USA/HAW 23

* = Age of champion at that years event ** = Also World Champion same year

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Three-time winner Layne Beachley in action at Bells Beach.

Five-time winner Kelly Slater carving it up at Bells Beach.

THE bell may have tolled for one of the great characters of world surfing culture, but his name will always resound in the Bells amphitheatre for his three consecutive contest wins at Bells in the early 70s.

Michael Peterson died of a heart attack last week at home in Tweed Heads, aged 59.

The indelible mark he left on surfing and the Bells Beach contest ensures he will be remembered for generations to come.

Rip Curls Neil Ridgway chatted briefly with Swell following the sad news.

MP won a hat trick of Rip Curl Pros in 1973, 74 and 75 at a time when he was without doubt the most dominant professional surfer on the planet, he said.

He was a great character and personified the image of outlaw surfer. He liked his own space and found that at Bells.

He was sponsored by Rip Curl in the early days by Brian Singer and Doug Warbrick the Rip Curl Founders and they continued to look after him in many ways throughout his life.

We flew him down in 2009 to pick up his Rip Curl Gold Pass a special award granted to surfers who have had great impact on the event and he thoroughly enjoyed the celebrations.

He still had a really astute eye for the contest and competitive surfing and I had the pleasure of sitting with him in the Michael Peterson Grandstand and he picked apart what the top surfers were doing now even 30 years after he last competed.

Despite brushes with the law and a life spent dealing with schizophrenia, Peterson will be remembered as a sublime surfing talent, the equal of or, according to Slater himself, better than 11-time world champion Kelly Slater.

2 SWELL 3 April 2012

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Catch up at Hanners Restaurant, Bar & Lounge to watch live streaming

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BY ALI DEANE

JOEL PARKINSONS Bells Beach Rip Curl Pro 2011 campaign ended on a wave complete with a cover-up, seamless arcing turns and a floater right on the hooter.

He had just scored a ten-point ride and the crowd went wild. It cemented what had been one of the most epic weeks of Rip Curl Pro action.

In terms of Bells Beach Pros in recent years, Parkinson is level with Kelly Slater with three Bells apiece, although Slater has won four if his 1994 Bell is included.

But with 35 worthy fellow contenders, this years Bell is not in Parkos grip just yet.

The defending champ told Swell it would be nice to repeat last years run.

I cant wait, its become one of my favourite places to go. I always love getting down there and having a few cold fronts go through and get some really good waves.

He said it was no easy feat to win at the Bowl, and the guys who have won it in the past have done so for a reason.

I think theres your usual suspects that are always going to be amazing out there.

I think Mick is probably the best Bowl surfer, youve got Kelly, and I think Taj is amazing.

Parkinson said people can give Bells a bad wrap, and there are times when heats can be pretty average.

But its the times you go there, and the waves are really good and it gives you a good run, you think I love that place.

The 2011 ASP mens world title runner-up said he likes to focus on his own surfing, when he approaches the big ones.

Ive got a bit of a routine. When Bells is good, I cant watch it, I get too excited. I just catch some waves in the morning, and then I turn my back on it till I have to go out there.

Its good to contain your energy and excitement, and let it go when you need to.

And he said a Bells trophy was the best one to win.Everyone wants to ring a Bell, mainly because of its

history and the names that have won it through all the generations of surfing.

Everyone thats won there, from the Hakmans, to MPs (Michael Peterson) and Mark Richards, and people like that, to be on a list with those guys that have changed the direction of surfing over the years, its a honour.

When we asked Parko if wed be seeing a number four, he said he hoped so.

A win down at Bells would be huge for me, he said.

Parko celebrates last years win at the Rip Curl Pro, Bells Beach. Photos: COURTESTY OF ASP

3

BY ALI DEANE FROM paddling in from his heat in the state rounds at Bells in the 80s, and changing in the mud to pick up a clipboard to judge the next heat, Porta said it is not just the level of surfing that has lifted since then.

Judging has evolved along with the modern, progressive surfing whilst still staying true to the non-aerial side of riding a wave.

We have subjective criteria, and I like all surfing whether its power carving or aerial and progressive.

Rides in surfing are rated according to key concepts including the combination of major manoeuvres, the variety of manoeuvres, innovative and progressive manoeuvres, commitment and degree of difficulty, and speed, power and flow.

Following each ride, five judges provide a

score with the highest and the lowest taken out and the average of the three middle scores calculated to give the final score.

The thing that impresses Porta most is the commitment surfers show in critical parts of the wave.

We compare surfer to surfer to get the scores, on a scale from one to 10, score every wave ridden, and the top two rides is all that is counted in the final tally.

For judges as well as surfers, pressure can go up exponentially with the level of the event.

All events have some form of pressure to make sure the result is right.

At WCT events it is hard to describe the level. I can walk into the judging booth after taking a break and you can sometimes cut the air with a knife. It is crucial we make the right calls.

Video replays have been latest addition to how judges go about their work.

So much can happen during a set when all surfers are up and riding, we can use the replay to check to make sure we did not miss any part of the rides.

In his third season as ASP International Head Judge, Porta said his story was similar to most judges.

Pretty much all top judges have competed at some level, many professionally, and some still do.

Its crucial to the job. I know what it feels like to have an interference call against you when you didnt think it was one. I know what it is like to lose a heat by the narrowest margin as well as win them.

The surfers that we judge have that same feeling but magnified by a huge margin due to being involved in the top level of the sport.

That is why all the judges judge. They love competition and love surfing.

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SCT_261X190.indd 1 28/03/12 12:17 PM

Richie Porta (right) goes over a call at J-Bay with championship tour surfer Kieren Perrow.

Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) International Head Judge Richard Porta regards last years Rip Curl Pro as the best event he has witnessed at Bells Beach in 31 years. There have been better single days but not five in a row like that. He said he would be happy this Easter to get even a few days like last year. Swell caught up with Porta to get inside the head of one of the most important roles in surfing competition, the head judge.

Judges at last years Rip Curl Pro stay focused as they prepare to record the scores of each wave ridden.

4 SWELL 3 April 2012

TIME: 4.30PM WHEN: SATURDAY 7TH APRIL

WHERE: O STORE, SURFCOAST HIGHWAY, TORQUAY

Adam Melling, Jadson Andre, Adriano de Souza, Kolohe Andino, Julian Wilson, Jordy Smith, Tyler Wright, Sage Erickson

BY THE BELL (with LUKE GRIFFITHS)IF I was a human being Id be considered a midget, standing less than a metre high and weighing in at slightly less than 14 kilograms.

People hate it when they get held up, but I love it. Ive had more athletic men and women hold me up than I can remember. It was good then, and its good now.

I love to party boy, have there been some big ones but I dont kiss and tell.

However, what I will say is that there have

been a few occasions when Ive been less than impressed with people using me as a drink holder.

Im one of the most iconic trophies in the world and a countless number of people across the globe dream of raising me, ringing me, even sleeping with me.

Following her victory in 2009, then 24-year-old Brazillian Silvana Lima decided to get a portrait of me etched into her torso. Respect.

Having turned 50 last year, I now spend most of my time chilling out at Rip Curl headquarters in Torquay, although my friend Joe Sweeney, who I have known well since the mid 1970s, ensures

that replicas of me are available for those good enough to win at Bells.

And some of the replicas Little Bros I call them have stories that can almost match mine.

After the late, great Andy Irons won his first Rip Curl Pro in 2002, he made a home for Little Bro on his Hawaiian balcony, regularly waking up his island neighbours through incessant ringing of the bell.

Kelly Slater has Little Bros all over the place; Joel Parkinsons 2004 Little Bro takes pride of place in his pool room; while 2005 womens champion Sofa Mulnovich keeps hers in the middle of her dining room table.

Despite having friends in high places, my approach is no frills. Dont believe me?

What about the time I was offered a lift

to a world-famous museum by Armaguard, but instead opted for the back seat of Surfing Victorias executive director Max Wells car?

Listen to what he thinks of me:Its the most sought after individual trophy that

exists only the winners can ring it, Wells says.Theres a genuine sense of pride from

Rip Curl and Surfing Victoria that we own the Wimbledon of surfing.

The Rip Curl Pro sits in such a special place because of it.

Oh Max, stop it. In monetary terms, no one is able to put an

exact value on me. Some people have estimated me to be worth six-figures, but I like to think Im priceless.

Past winners of the Rip Curl Pro and future hopefuls agree.

Do they hold the Bell or does it hold them? Last years Bells competition winners Sally Fitzgibbons and Joel Parkinson pose with the Bell.

Surfing Victoria executive director Max Wells and Rip Curl international events manager Brooke Farris discuss the upcoming Rip Curl Pro in the presence of the events perpetual trophy The Bell.

5

2 joel parkinsonDOB April 10, 1981LIVES Coolangatta, QldHeight 60 (183 cm)Weight 185 pounds (84 kg)STANCE NaturalBELLS BEST 1st in 2011, 2009, 2004

3 taj burrowDOB June 2, 1978LIVES Yallingup, WAHEIGHT 59 (175 cm)WEIGHT 159 pounds (72 kg)STANCE NaturalBELLS BEST 1st in 2007

4 GABRIEL MEDINADOB December 22, 1993LIVES Maresias, BrazilHEIGHT 511 (180 cm)WEIGHT 150 pounds (68 kg)STANCE GoofyBELLS BEST 17th in 2009 (as wildcard)

5 OWEN WRIGHTDOB January 16, 1990LIVES Lennox Head, NSWHeight 510 (174 cm)Weight 172 pounds (78 kg)STANCE GoofyBELLS BEST 5th in 2011

6 adriano de souzaDOB February 13, 1987LIVES Florianopolis, BrazilHEIGHT 56 (167 cm)WEIGHT 137 pounds (65 kg)STANCE NaturalBELLS BEST 3rd in 2011

7 julian wilsonDOB November 8, 1988LIVES Coolum Beach, QldHeight 60 (183 cm)Weight 175 pounds (78 kg)Stance NaturalBells Best 25th in 2011

8 jORDY SMITHDOB February 11, 1988LIVES Durban, South AfricaHEIGHT 62 (188 cm)WEIGHT 190 pounds (86 kg)STANCE NaturalBELLS BEST 3rd in 2011 & 2009

9 ALEJO MUNIZDOB February 22, 1990LIVES Santa Catarina, BrazilHeight 58 (173 cm)Weight 154 pounds (70 kg)Stance NaturalBells Best 13th in 2011

10 MICHAEL BOUREZDOB December 30, 1985LIVES Toahutu, TahitiHEIGHT 59 (176 cm)WEIGHT 168 pounds (76 kg)STANCE NaturalBELLS BEST 9th in 2011 & 2010

11 JOSH KERRDOB March 29, 1984LIVES Gold Coast, QldHEIGHT 58 (173cm)WEIGHT 154 pounds (70 kg)STANCE NaturalBELLS BEST 13th in 2011; 33rd in 2007, 2009

12 damian hobgoodDOB July 6, 1979LIVES Satellite Beach, Florida, USAHEIGHT 510 (178 cm)WEIGHT 155 pounds (70 kg)STANCE GoofyBELLS BEST 5th in 2005

13 john john florenceDOB November 18th, 1992LIVES Pipeline, HAWAIIHEIGHT 60 (183 cm)WEIGHT 168 pounds (76 kg)STANCE NaturalBELLS BEST Rookie

14 mick fanningDOB June 13, 1981LIVES Tweed Heads, NSWHEIGHT 510 (177cm)WEIGHT 161 pounds (73 kg)STANCE NaturalBELLS BEST 1st in 2001

15 Jeremy floresDOB April 27, 1988LIVES Capbreton, FranceHEIGHT 58 (174 cm)WEIGHT 150 pounds (68 kg)STANCE NaturalBELLS BEST 9th in 2008

16 heitor alvesDOB April 3, 1982LIVES Rio de Janeiro, BrazilHEIGHT 56 (167cm)WEIGHT 146 pounds (66 kg)STANCE GoofyBELLS BEST 33rd in 2008

17 miguel pupoDOB November 19, 1991LIVES Camburi, BrazilHEIGHT 59 (176 cm)WEIGHT 150 pounds (67 kg)STANCE GoofyBELLS BEST Rookie

18 adrian buchanDOB September 21, 1982LIVES Avoca Beach, NSWHEIGHT 58 (173cm)WEIGHT 170 pounds (75 kg)STANCE GoofyBELLS BEST 9th in 2010

19 kieren perrowDOB January 1, 1977LIVES Byron Bay, NSWHEIGHT 59 (177 cm)WEIGHT 150 pounds (68 kg)STANCE NaturalBells Best 5th in 2009, 2003 & 2002

20 bede durbidgeDOB February 23, 1983LIVES Brisbane, QldHEIGHT 61 (180 cm)WEIGHT 178 pounds (82 kg)STANCE NaturalBELLS BEST 2nd in 2008

21 raoni monteiroDOB May 7, 1982LIVES Saquarema, BrazilHEIGHT 510 (171 cm)WEIGHT 168 pounds (76 kg)STANCE NaturalBELLS BEST 17th in 2007

22 brett simpsonDOB January 5, 1985LIVES Huntington Beach, California, USAHEIGHT 60 (183 cm)WEIGHT 160 pounds (73 kg)STANCE NaturalBELLS BEST 17th in 2010

23 ADAM MELLINGDOB March 29, 1985LIVES Lennox Head, NSWHEIGHT 60 (183 cm)WEIGHT 165 pounds (75 kg)STANCE NaturalBELLS BEST 13th in 2011

24 KOLOHE ANDINODOB March 22, 1994LIVES San Clemente, CaliforniaHEIGHT 511 (180 cm)WEIGHT 163 pounds (74 kg)STANCE NaturalBELLS BEST Rookie

25 CJ HOBGOODDOB July 6, 1979LIVES Melbourne, FloridaHEIGHT 58 (173 cm)WEIGHT 150 pounds (68 kg)STANCE GoofyBELLS BEST 3rd in 2003

26 TIAGO PIREsDOB March 13, 1980LIVES Ericeira, PortugalHEIGHT 56 (170 cm)WEIGHT 154 pounds (70 kg)STANCE NaturalBELLS BEST 9th in 2011

MENS PROFILES

DOB February 11, 1972

LIVES Cocoa Beach, Florida

HEIGHT 59 (175 cm)WEIGHT 160 pounds (7

3 kg)

STANCE NaturalBELLS BEST 1st in 201

0, 2008, 2006, 1994

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06 SWELL 3 April 2012

PHOTOS COURTESY OF ASP

27 jadson andreDOB March 13, 1990LIVES Natal City, BrazilHEIGHT57 (170 cm)WEIGHT 145 pounds (66 kg)STANCE GoofyBELLS BEST 5th in 2011

28 matt wilkinsonDOB September 29, 1988LIVES Copacabana, NSWHEIGHT 511 (180 cm)WEIGHT 165 pounds (75 kg)STANCE GoofyBELLS BEST 17th in 2010

29 pat GudauskasDOB November 20, 1985LIVES San Clemente, CaliforniaHEIGHT 60 (183 cm)WEIGHT 160 pounds (73 kg)STANCE NaturalBELLS BEST 13th in 2011

30 dusty payneDOB December 27, 1988LIVES Lahaina, Maui, HawaiiHEIGHT 510 (178 cm)WEIGHT 165 pounds (75 kg)STANCE NaturalBELLS BEST 17th in 2010

31 Travis logieDOB May 11, 1979LIVES Durban South AfricaHEIGHT 56 (171 cm)WEIGHT 146 pounds (66 kg)STANCE GoofyBELLS BEST 33rd in 2011

32 Taylor knoxDOB May 15, 1971LIVES Carlsbad, CaliforniaHEIGHT 510 (178 cm)WEIGHT 178 pounds (77 kg)STANCE NaturalBELLS BEST 3rd in 1997

33 KAI OTTONDOB December 16, 1979LIVES Queenscliff, AustraliaHEIGHT 511 (180 cm)WEIGHT 169 pounds (77 kg)STANCE GoofyBELLS BEST 9th in 2008 & 2009

34 YADIN NICOLDOB November 16, 1985LIVES Santa Barbara, CaliforniaHEIGHT 59 (175 cm)WEIGHT 155 pounds (70 kg)STANCE NaturalBELLS BEST Rookie

2Sally FitzgibbonsDOB December 19, 1990LIVES Gerroa, NSWHEIGHT 57 (173 cm)WEIGHT 137 pounds (62 kg)STANCE NaturalBELLS BEST 1st in 2011

3Stephanie GilmoreDOB January 29, 1988LIVES Tweed Heads, NSWHEIGHT 510 (178 cm)WEIGHT 147 pounds (67 kg)STANCE NaturalBELLS BEST 1st in 2010, 2008 & 2007

4Tyler WrightDOB March 31, 1994LIVES Lennox Head, NSWHEIGHT 57 (170 cm)WEIGHT 137 pounds (62 kg)STANCE NaturalBELLS BEST 9th in 2009 (as wildcard)

5Silvana LimaDOB October 29, 1984LIVES Rio de Janeiro, BrazilHEIGHT 49 (154 cm)WEIGHT 108 pounds (49 kg)STANCE NaturalBELLS BEST 1st in 2009

6 Coco HoDOB April, 28, 1991LIVES Sunset Beach, HawaiiHEIGHT 53 (177 cm)WEIGHT 122 pounds (56 kg)STANCE NaturalBELLS BEST 5th in 2010

7 Sofia MulanovichDOB June 24, 1983LIVES Lima, PeruHEIGHT 54 (165 cm)WEIGHT 119 pounds (54 kg)STANCE NaturalBELLS BEST 1st in 2005

8Courtney ConlogueDOB August 25, 1992LIVES Santa Ana, CaliforniaHEIGHT 58 (173 cm)WEIGHT 135 pounds (61 kg)STANCE RegularBELLS BEST Rookie

9Pauline AdoDOB February 14, 1991LIVES Anglet, FranceHEIGHT 55 (166 cm)WEIGHT 130 pounds (59 kg)Stance NaturalBells Best 9th in 2011

10Laura EneverDOB November 14, 1991LIVES North Narrabeen, NSWHEIGHT 56 (168 cm)WEIGHT 112 pounds (51 kg)STANCE NaturalBELLS BEST 13th in 2011

11 Paige HarebDOB June 6, 1990LIVES Oakura, Taranaki, New ZealandHEIGHT 56 (165 cm)WEIGHT 121 pounds (58 kg)STANCE GoofyBELLS BEST 5th in 2009

12 Rebecca WoodsDOB September 14, 1984LIVES Copacabana, NSWSTANCE NaturalHEIGHT 55 (165 cm)WEIGHT 120 pounds (55 kg)BELLS BEST 5th in 2010

13 Jacqueline SilvaDOB July 17, 1979LIVES Florianopolis, Santa Catarina, BrazilHEIGHT 54 (164 cm)WEIGHT 123 pounds (56 kg)STANCE NaturalBELLS BEST 5th in 1999, 2007, 2009

14 Malia ManuelDOB August 9, 1993LIVES Kauai, HawaiiHEIGHT 54 (162 cm)WEIGHT 115 pounds (52 kg)STANCE NaturalBELLS BEST Rookie

15 Lakey PetersonDOB September 30, 1994LIVES Santa Barbara, CaliforniaHEIGHT 57 (170 cm)WEIGHT 130 pounds (59 kg)STANCE NaturalBELLS BEST Rookie

16 Sage EricksonDOB December 28, 1990LIVES Ventura, CaliforniaHEIGHT 56 (168 cm)WEIGHT 135 pounds (61 kg)STANCE NaturalBELLS BEST Rookie

17 Justine DupontDOB August 27, 1991LIVES Lacanau, FranceHEIGHT 510 (178 cm)WEIGHT 140 pounds (63 kg)STANCE GoofyBELLS BEST Rookie

WOMENS PROFILES

1 carissa mooreDOB August 27, 1992LIVES Honolulu, Hawai

i

HEIGHT 57 (170 cm)

WEIGHT 140 pounds (63 kg)

STANCE NaturalBELLS BEST 9th in 201

0

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF ASP

BY RACHEL DELANYTHIS years Rip Curl Pro will be covered any which way possible, creating conversation and inviting viewers to get involved.

All the live surfing action will be shown on Foxtels Fuel TV, and will also be streamed via live.ripcurl.com.

This website is where you will find promotions, questions and statements that you can agree or disagree with, to get things going and continue the conversation.

Dane Sharp at Rip Curl went through logistics with Swell, and said that last years event had as many as 1.5 million viewers on the live stream.

We welcome as many people to come to the event as possible, but obviously not everyone can come, and so this is a way to bring it all together. Online streaming can offer viewers every angle of surfing.

Viewers will be able to relive top scoring waves or watch the entirety of the wipe-outs of the day with total access to be able to analyse the event themselves.

It also means people who dont have pay TV can watch all the action online.

On the site we have something called heat analysis, which is a high powered replay system.

We also want to make the broadcast and coverage not only for surfing fans, so we want to create conversations by asking questions and having little competitions such as photo of the day.

We want to engage people around the world.There will be five live-action cameras focusing on surfing

and a few roving cameras getting in amongst the crowd giving interviews.

Each year, Rip Curl experiment with new ways of gathering footage, and attendees at last years event may have spotted the state-of-the-art remote controlled quadrocopter flown by Extreme Aerial Photography hovering above the waves and the surfers.

Mr Sharp said that this year the quadrocopter wouldnt be making an appearance but to tune into live.ripcurl.com for the full live broadcast of the Rip Curl Pro.

Each day The Morning Show will broadcast from 7.30-8.00am EST from Bells Beach. The show will preview the schedule, announce the days call, where the surfing will take place, with whom and when.

This year will see a prestigious line-up of former world tour surfers and competitors commentating for the event. Bells 1987 competition winner Jodie Cooper, Pancho Sullivan, Toby Martin and John Shimooka will join industry personalities Sean Doherty and Reggae Ellis.

You can follow the event via Facebook or Twitter, download the free iPhone App or keep up with the latest news online. Details can be found at live.ripcurl.com.

(CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE) Adam Robertson opens up the face of a wave, with footage captured from a jet ski. The quadrocopter gathers footage of Adriano de Souza on a wave at last years Rip Curl Pro. Owen Wright is interviewed at last years Rip Curl Pro.

Photos: COURTESY OF ASP.

8 SWELL 3 April 2012

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BY LUKE GRIFFITHSTHE importance of the Rip Curl Pro to Torquay, to the Surf Coast, to the Geelong region, to Victoria, cannot be overstated.

The iconic event is one of the few Victorian sporting events that attracts a truly global audience.

Its a week which gives Torquay and the wider region the opportunity to not only promote itself as a surfing mecca, but as one of the most picturesque parts of the world.

It is recognised as one of the states hallmark events and it is run to world class standards, Rip Curls Neil Ridgway said.

When you have the worlds best surfers in the worlds best waves people want to see it. The visitors enjoy it, but globally there are millions who see it through webcast and live TV.

We are infinitely proud of the Rip Curl Pro. Its the longest running surfing event in the world and it happens here in Torquay, where Rip Curl was born.

In the wake of last years event, the Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development conducted a comprehensive economic benefit analysis. It found that the 2011 event brought $2.7 million into the local economy. Last years Pro had a total attendance of more than 25,000 people, including 1,761 interstate visitors and just shy of 1,000 international visitors.

Ninety-four per cent of attendees were either satisfied or very satisfied with how the event was staged. The same study found that three quarters of Victorians agreed that the Rip Curl Pro made them feel proud of their state and good about their community.

The significance of the Rip Curl Pro, in the international profile it gives our region and the number of interstate and international visitors that stay in the Surf Coast because of the event, is huge, Surf Coast mayor Brian McKiterick said.

It is not only a big part of our regions events calendar it has national and international significance.

BY ALI DEANETHIS Easter, Roxy is launching a new campaign to give aspiring girl surfers and surf fans the opportunity to travel with the pros and live the Roxy dream.

The Let the Sea Set You Free campaign is searching the world for three intriguing, fun, engaging and daring girls to cast as the new face and voice of Roxy, and will be selecting one from the APAC region.

The experience includes being able to travel to the Roxy Surf Jam in Biarritz France and another amazing secret destination, surf some of the best waves in the world, hang with the pro athletes, be outfitted head-to-toe in ROXY apparel, record a song in a music studio, receive US$5,000 cash, meet Roxy designers, and experience life the way Roxy girls do:

bringing home priceless memories.Local girls can fine-tune their applications and get photos taken

for their entries this Easter weekend at Torquays Roxy Store at Surf City Plaza.

Roxys Sally Fitzgibbons said it was a great initiative for girls to live the surf lifestyle, go to the tour event in Biarritz and promote what they feel about the sea.

Its a really cool competition and therell be some really great girls involved.

Entries will also be accepted at www.roxyaustralia.com.au/seaforyourself or via Roxys Facebook page up until April 22.

The three winners will be announced June 15 and posted on the contest website.

Theres also an in-store opportunity to enter at the Roxy store, 100 Surf Coast Highway, between 10am and 5:30pm April 6 to 9.

Sally Fitzgibbons (centre) and the Roxy girls are excited to be casting three new Roxy girls to surf and travel the world as part of the Let the Sea Set You Free campaign.

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BY ALI DEANETHIS time last year, Sally Fitzgibbons had fans holding their breath as she surfed her way to her first elite tour victory.

At Bells Beach, she ousted three-time Rip Curl Pro champion Stephanie Gilmore in the semi-final and then defeated Hawaiian Carissa Moore in the final.

The super smiley ripper from Gerroa, NSW, was runner-up in the 2010 and 2011 ASP womens world tour and is back to defend her Bells title, bringing with her momentum from early season wins at the Australian Open in Manly and Newcastles Hunter Ports Womens Classic.

She told Swell she couldnt wait to get down to Victoria for the annual Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach.

It should be really great. It was amazing, to have the planets align, and friends and family there, and great waves to win it in.

After recovering from a broken wrist sustained when she fell on a reef whilst surfing pre-Christmas, Fitzgibbons found her form early this year.

I hadnt gone into the Open with expectations of winning, I just wanted to get back into that competitive mindset, then to have that win in front of my home crowd

meant a lot to me.The Roxy Pro on the Gold Coast was really nice, making

the semis was a strong result and I was happy about that, there were just limited opportunities for the best waves.

And with perfect conditions in Newcastle last month, Fitzgibbons was able to keep the rhythm going.

The swell in Newy was great. I was feeling in tune with everything, and my equipment. To win was a bonus.

She said the tour this year was probably the strongest its been.

There are five new rookies on tour, and the younger girls are really hungry to get a win, but I enjoy competing against them, that younger generation, it should make it really interesting.

ASP International Head Judge Richard Porta views the womens tour as one of the main areas that needs development.

The women are surfing at such high levels these days and are continuing to showcase their talents where ever they go.

Unfortunately they are a few events short to complete their year, he said.

But Fitzgibbons sounded confident with Jessi Miley-Dyer at the helm as ASP womens world tour manager.

We lost a few events from the schedule last year, and this season is looking similar.

We are always looking for new events, and sponsorship, and with the level of talent of the girls, they really deserve a similar tour to the guys.

Its going to be tough, with the economy, but right now theres a lot of interest in our sport, people are excited and with Jessi behind the scenes, its always going to be improving.

We just have to surf what weve got, and make the most of it.

Sally Fitzgibbons relaxing in a rare quiet moment, and (above left) sending some serious spray off a Bells face last year, en route to taking out the Rip Curl Womens Pro.

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