The History of the Bells Beach Easter Comp: How the Rip Curl Pro Became Surfing’s Most Iconic Event
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Every Easter, thousands of surfers and spectators make the trek down to the rugged cliffs of Bells Beach a pilgrimage that’s been the heartbeat of Australian surf culture for over sixty years. What started as a gritty local contest has transformed into the world’s longest running professional event, known today as the iconic Rip Curl Pro. It’s more than just a competition; it’s a storied tradition that defines the Victorian coast and remains the ultimate proving ground on the global stage.
Here’s how this legendary competition came to define both Victoria surf culture and the global surfing stage.
Where It All Began: The Early 1960s
Bells has been on the radar since the late fifties, but the real magic kicked off with the first official Bells Beach Easter Rally in 1962. It was a bit of a slow burn the original contest was actually slated for late ‘61 but got pushed back and when the spray finally settled, it was New South Welshman Glynn Ritchie who walked away as the very first champ.
In those early days, Bells wasn’t for the faint of heart The event became a magnet for Australia’s gutsiest big wave chargers, with the Southern Ocean regularly pumping out massive 10 to 20 foot sets. It quickly earned its stripes as the nations ultimate testing ground a place where you didn’t just show up to surf; you showed up to see what you were truly made of.
A Road Carved By Passion
Before Bells was a world class arena, getting there was an absolute mission. Surfers had to trek through thick bush and deep mud from Torquay just to catch a glimpse of the lineup. That all changed in 1960 when local surfer (and Olympic wrestler!) Joe Sweeney took matters into his own hands. he hired a bulldozer and carved a road straight to the cliff edge, famously charging surfers a pound each to help foot the bill.
It was the best quid anyone every spent. That dusty track blew the doors wide open allowing the East contest to explode in popularity. With the road built, the crowds followed, turning Bells into an annual pilgrimage. Suddenly, surfers from every corner of the country were descending on the coast of each Easter to swap stories, share massive sets, and cement the “tribal” culture that still defines the event today.
Going Pro: The Rip Curl Shift (1973)
In 1973, the game changed forever. Rip Curl and Coca-Cola stepped in to flip the script, turning what was a beloved grassroots gathering into Australia’s first true professional surfing contest. At the time, “pro surfing’ was a bit of a wild concept and not everyone in the lineup was stoked on the idea of turning their lifestyle into a business.
The inaugural Rip Curl Pro was taken out by the enigmatic Michael Peterson, a win that didn’t just give him a trophy, it set the wheels in motion for what would become the most prestigious title in the sport.
By the mid seventies, the word was out. The world’s best weren’t just coming from around Australia anymore; they were flying in from Hawaii, California, and South Africa to see if they could handle the Southern Ocean. Bells had officially graduated from a local secret to a global proving ground.
Tradition, Prestige, and the Bell Itself
Forget gold medals or shiny cups in the surfing world, there’s only one trophy that truly matters, and it’s a heavy brass bell.
The tradition started in 1968 when that same trailblazer, Joe Sweeney, handcrafted the very first one. Since then, it’s been the ultimate prize for every pro who paddles out. Winning at Bells isn’t just about the points or the prize money; it’s about the right to “Ring the Bell” on the stairs in front of a cheering crowd.
It’s a ritual that’s been captured in some of the most iconic photos in surfing history. As the local saying goes: “You’ve gotta win it to ring it.”
Legends Written Into the Cliffs
Through the decades, Bells Beach has become a proving ground where the sport’s greatest surfers have carved their names into history. Champions such as Kelly Slater, Mick Fanning, and Mark Richards have each claimed multiple titles here, while Gail Couper stands unmatched with an extraordinary 10 victories, the most in the event’s history.
The break has also been a stage for rising talent none more memorable than 16 year old Nick Wood, who stunned the surfing world as the event’s youngest winner.
A Legacy That Lives On
What began as the Bells Beach Easter Classic has evolved into a cornerstone of the World Surf League Championship Tour, continuing to celebrate surfing culture and world‑class competition.
Despite shifts over the years from mobile event locations in the 1990s to the COVID related cancellations in 2020 and 2021 the spirit of Bells endures. Each Easter, crowds still gather along the cliffs, and surfers from around the globe continue to chase the chance to ring the iconic Bell.