“I was a boat trip 6 months before Banda Aceh earthquake 2004 and I was lucky enough to surf the waves in the area before they changed or disappeared, Azure being one of them which is featured in the footage. I was there with Bali Strickland shooting for his movie ‘Freeway’ which had so much additional footage that alot of it ended up on the cutting room flood. Years past and video cameras went from tape to digital, Bali went onto new adventures as did I.. This was one of the best surf trips for waves and company that I'd ever done, Exploring with Dylan Longbottom and Rasta. 18 years later i reconnect with Bali and he managed to dig through piles of tapes that he had kept away from moisture and mould and pass on to us” - Margo
“I grew up on the 90’s and early 2000’s surf films of Australian Filmmakers such as Bali Strickland which always heavily featured Australian surfers.. Not many people from that era had as much of an influence on me as Margo did. He was the first real Australian freesurfer that i knew of and i couldn’t believe that anyone could get paid to go on surf trips and work on films and not have to compete… So when we had the opportunity to get to work on this project with Margo after idolising him as a kid really was a dream come true. Margo has been on the Standard Procedure surf team for a while now and using and testing our existing products and some new ones in the works, and he mentioned to me about a year ago that he remember doing this insane trip to Indonesia almost 20 years ago with Bali Strickland… He told me of some insane waves they surfed that no longer exist and that he thought might be all but lost but there may be a chance Bali would still have it... So he put me in contact with Bali who was absolutely legendary and spent the better part of a month searching through his archive of old DV tapes. Once he had found all the tapes he shot on the trip, he then tracked down the old camera and cords he needed to go through them all one by one and pull out Margos waves from the trip. When he sent me the raw clips I was blown away. The surfing being done by Margo almost 20 years ago is almost more relevant today than it was then. The smooth lines, effortless style and raw power are the hallmarks of Margos timeless surfing, all in showcased in Indonesian perfection. It was an absolutely incredible effort by Bali and I can’t thank him enough for the time and effort he put in for us to get this incredible footage of Margo that would have otherwise sat on those tapes that one maybe one day would have disappeared.” - Dion Agius
Tyler Wright Finally Adds Iconic Bell to Already Impressive Trophy Cabinet
Two-time WSL Champion Tyler Wright claimed her 15th CT event win today and her maiden Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach title. Wright was the form surfer of the event, posting excellent scores throughout, with the Final being no different.
In the last heat of the event, Wright took on three-time Bells winner and reigning five-time WSL Champion, Carissa Moore, in what was their third Bells Final together. With Moore clinching wins over Wright in 2013 and 2014, Wright found redemption from the first exchange, as she posted an 8.93 (out of a possible 10) in the opening seconds of the heat then backed it up with an 8.00 and left Moore chasing for the remainder of the heat. It is Wright’s first CT victory since the opening event of the 2021 season and it has rocketed her to the second position on the world rankings.
“Honestly this means the world right now,” said Wright. “I want to start by thanking the Wadawurrung people for having us here on their country this week. This is an emotional win for me. I’ve won two World Titles but this win feels almost as big for me. I’ve been competing here and walking down those stairs for 12 years now and to get the win, with a lot of my family here, I’m over the moon and beyond stoked.”
“It’s been a long four years for me recovering from what I went through (post-viral syndrome) and I’m only just feeling like myself in the water again,” continued Wright. “There’s been multiple times where I just wanted to give up. I worked so hard to be here, and I’m just so beyond grateful to have the support I had, and the love and the care as well. It is more than a win, it’s the only event I ever really wanted to win and here I am and I’m pretty over the moon and beyond stoked.”
5x WSL Champion Moore Back to World No. 1
Five-time WSL Champion Carissa Moore headed into the Final looking to add to her three Bells titles and join the likes of Mick Fanning, Stephanie Gilmore, Kelly Slater, and Mark Richards as four-time Bells Winners. Unfortunately for Moore, she came up against a rampaging Wright in the Final and was unable to find the same rhythm as her opponent. From the second-place finish, Moore was able to find the positives as she leaves Victoria with the yellow leader jersey and heads to Margaret River, a location she has found much success at.
Toledo Finds Redemption With Bells Win, Moves to Top Spot on CT Rankings
Finishing runner-up to John John Florence at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach in 2019, the last time the event ran, Filipe Toledo came into the 2022 event with one thing on his mind: to ring the iconic Bell. The eclectic natural footer has a brand of surfing that suits Bells to no end, whether it’s aerials at Rincon or carves on the Bowl, Toledo has it all and it was on full display all week. In the Final, Toledo came up against 2022 CT rookie Callum Robson who was on a devastating run of form, but it was no match for the perennial title threat as he claimed his maiden Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach title and takes the top spot on the world rankings ahead of the Margaret River Pro, an event where he is the defending winner.
“Finally we are back at Bells,” Toledo said. “The last few years we haven’t been able to come here because of everything that has been going on and we’ve missed you Bells. I’m really happy to be back here, it’s been an amazing week. I couldn’t be happier with this birthday present. After I beat John (Florence) I had that extra confidence going into the next few heats which was exciting. It was cool to share a Final with Callum. I’ve been coming here for nine years trying to get a Bell and this guy is in the Final in his first year, which is crazy. Really impressive. This is hard, it’s hard to keep the momentum, and the rhythm going from contest to contest so hopefully we can keep it going.”
Although he was unable to take the top spot, 2022 CT rookie Callum Robson taking second place at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach is a major achievement and a testament to the incredible surfing he was displaying all week. Taking down names like Mick Fanning and Jack Robinson along the way, Robson now finds himself in sixth place on the rankings.
Earlier in the day, Wright overcame former Bells winner Courtney Conlogue in the Semifinals with Moore taking down 2022 form surfer Brisa Henessy (CRI) to cement her spot in the Final. Robson upset Jack Robinson (AUS) in his Semifinal with Toledo overcoming Ethan Ewing (AUS) in Semifinal 1.
Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Women’s Final Results:
1 – Tyler Wright (AUS) 16.93
2 – Carissa Moore (HAW) 10.57
Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Women’s Semifinal Results:
HEAT 1: Tyler Wright (AUS) 14.23 DEF. Courtney Conlogue (USA) 13.90
HEAT 2: Carissa Moore (HAW) 14.50 DEF. Brisa Hennessy (CRI) 13.77
Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Men’s Final Results:
1 – Filipe Toledo (BRA) 14.74
2 – Callum Robson (AUS) 12.94
Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Men’s Semifinal Results:
HEAT 1: Filipe Toledo (BRA) 10.73 DEF. Ethan Ewing (AUS) 4.10
• Top 5’s Peterson, Manuel, and Weston-Webb Eliminated in Round of 16 • 4x Bells Winner Stephanie Gilmore Ends Local Hero India Robinson’s Run at Home • Rookies Gabriela Bryan and Luana Silva Fall Shy of Quarters at Bells Beach • More Available at WorldSurfLeague.com
The Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach completing the women’s Round of 16 in clean three-to-five foot surf on the Bells Bowl. The fourth stop on the World Surf League (WSL) 2022 Championship Tour (CT) is now down to the Quarterfinals after big eliminations today.
Top 5’s Peterson, Manuel, and Weston-Webb Eliminated in Round of 16 The Opening heat of the day saw a clash of the Californians with Lakey Peterson taking on 2019 Bells winner Courtney Conlogue (above). With Peterson residing in Torquay for half the year and Conlogue in the hunt for her third win at Bells, this heat was a matchup of two very formidable and experienced competitors at this location and was always going to be one to watch. Conlogue took control of the heat early and never looked back, convincingly beating the world No. 2. The win was a must for Conlogue who is currently sitting below the Mid-season Cut Line and in desperate need of a big result here at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach.
“I kind of played off all of the knowledge I’ve had through all the years out here and just trusted the process,” said Conlogue. “It was tricky, really slow, but I had a good start and it paid off. The stakes are high, they always are and I’ve had a tricky year and you have to learn from those experiences and play it out and see it through. Whatever happens, happens. The best way to do well is flow”.
Heat 2 saw Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS, above) progress to the Quarterfinals after beating World No. 5 Malia Manuel (HAW) by just 0.33 points. In four-to-six-foot waves with light wind conditions, it was the first time either of the athletes surfed at Bells in the 2022 Rip Curl Pro.
Injury replacement Bronte Macaulay (AUS) was a standout in the Round of 16, dominating her matchup with fellow goofy-foot and World Title hopeful Tatiana Weston-Webb. Macaulay was on fire, throwing buckets of spray with her vertical backhand turns to post an impressive two-wave total of 15.66 which left Weston-Webb in a combination situation (needing two scores).
“It was always going to be a hard heat against Tatiana,” Macaulay said. “She’s got a really good backhand but I was just so excited to surf. I was feeling really competitive before that heat and I haven’t felt competitive for a while so it was exciting to be out there. I feel really lucky to be working with Jordy who is a local here and he gave me some amazing tips on wave selection which definitely helped. I got some clean ones that were the best waves.”
4x Bells Winner Stephanie Gilmore (above) Ends Local Hero India Robinson’s Run Heat 6 was the round that rookie India Robinson’s Bells dream came to an end when seven-time WSL Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) powered home with an 8.07 (out of a possible 10) to win the heat. Gilmore used her experience to outperform the rookie, focusing on wave selection and skill variety to show the judges. Sitting just below the Mid-season cut, this win couldn’t come at a better time for the CT veteran.
“I’ve had so many hard heats this year, and India I knew wasn’t going to be any easier,” Gilmore said. “She’s an incredible young surfer and I’ve actually seen some of my favorite heats here at Bells has been watching the locals. I knew I couldn’t out pick the best waves and I knew she would always be on the good ones so I had to stay busy and almost go against what I’m used to doing which is just being patient. But it was back and forth the whole time, they are actually such good heats because you are just on edge the whole time thinking ‘yeh, I’ve got the score’ and then they throw a score back at you. India is a great surfer so that’s a tough result for sure for her.”
Rookies Gabriela Bryan and Luana Silva Fall Shy of Quarters at Bells Beach Tyler Wright (AUS) overtook Johanne Defay (FRA) for the highest heat total on the women’s side so far, beating rookie Gabriela Bryan (HAW) to progress into the Quarterfinals. In a heat that had everything working for Wright, she was able to lock in an 8.17 (out of a possible 10) early, only to back it up with a 9.07 (out of a possible 10) for a combined heat score of 17.24 (out of a possible 20). Wright’s performance was a shot across the bow of her opponents and a sign that she is ready to claim her maiden Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach title.
“That was really fun and really special,” said Wright. “It’s been four years since I’ve surfed out here. It’s been a really long time since I’ve felt like I’ve surfed like myself and I’m starting to feel like that again and get glimpses of that so it’s quite emotional for me. I look down at my body and it feels like my body, the powerful and strong and connected way I surf and feel. It’s quite emotional for me to feel, it feels like it's the first time I’ve felt it in four years. It’s the only event I really want to win.”
World No. 1 Brisa Hennessy (CRI above) kept her cool in her heat against rookie Luana Silva (HAW) to take home the win and progress to the Quarterfinals where she’ll take on event standout, Johanne Defay (FRA). Positing two solid scores of 7.00 (out of a possible 10) and 6.57 (out of a possible 10) helped to give Hennessy the edge over Silva, who’s last minute wave wasn’t enough to steal the win.
Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Women’s Quarterfinal Matchups: HEAT 1: Courtney Conlogue (USA) vs. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) HEAT 2: Bronte Macaulay (AUS) vs. Tyler Wright (AUS) HEAT 3: Carissa Moore (HAW) vs. Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) HEAT 4: Brisa Hennessy (CRI) vs. Johanne Defay (FRA)
Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Men’s Round of 32 Matchups: HEAT 1: Griffin Colapinto (USA) vs. Owen Wright (AUS) HEAT 2: Caio Ibelli (BRA) vs. Nat Young (USA) HEAT 3: Jordy Smith (ZAF) vs. Jackson Baker (AUS) HEAT 4: Ethan Ewing (AUS) vs. Lucca Mesinas (PER) HEAT 5: Filipe Toledo (BRA) vs. Mikey Wright (AUS) HEAT 6: Connor O'Leary (AUS) vs. Ezekiel Lau (HAW) HEAT 7: John John Florence (HAW) vs. Joao Chianca (BRA) HEAT 8: Barron Mamiya (HAW) vs. Morgan Cibilic (AUS) HEAT 9: Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) vs. Mick Fanning (AUS) HEAT 10: Frederico Morais (PRT) vs. Callum Robson (AUS) HEAT 11: Miguel Pupo (BRA) vs. Deivid Silva (BRA) HEAT 12: Kolohe Andino (USA) vs. Jadson Andre (BRA) HEAT 13: Kelly Slater (USA) vs. Imaikalani deVault (HAW) HEAT 14: Jack Robinson (AUS) vs. Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) HEAT 15: Jake Marshall (USA) vs. Samuel Pupo (BRA) HEAT 16: Italo Ferreira (BRA) vs. Ryan Callinan (AUS)
A film with Jordan Rodin riding his FFFF (finless) boards around Western Australia from one shaped by Derek Hynd the man behind all of it. To others shaped by Jordan himself. A trinity of boards in total were tested and ridden throughout filming.
It’s been an interesting journey for Jordan Rodin, watching him grow and progress in his surfing and board shaping skills. Experimenting with what works and what doesn't. Jordan's a working class man so he doesn't get to surf for a living but he makes do with what he's got quite well I think.
Over the past few years I've been following Jordan around taking photos and filming. I didn't start my filming journey until around 2018. its been a interesting journey and a lot to learn from experience and mistakes but in the end its all been quite enjoyable to me and to watch the end process is quite exciting too.
Anyways enjoy some of the footage I've gathered over the past few years and put into to this mini movie - @billycervi
The most talented groms from all corners of the UK converged on Fistral Beach, Newquay for the 2022 Rip Curl Grom Search. Surfers were greeted with sunny skies and absolutely pumping 3 – 6ft surf rolling through the weekend.
One of our favourite comps of the year, the Groms put on an epic display of surfing, adjusting style and strategy to suit the sizable conditions, and showcasing the level of talent coming through the UK ranks. Read on for the write up, full results below.
Arriving on the beach for an 08:00am check in on Saturday, it was a chilly but sunny start to the day with solid overhead sets rolling through, almost double overhead on the gromscale! Under 16 boys’ and girls’ heats ran through the morning followed by the under 14s. The conditions were tricky with bigger sets cleaning up the line-up and lots of water moving across the beach. Lots of decisions for the young competitors to negotiate – which channel to pick for the paddle out, where to sit in the shifting line up, how to avoid the rip running through the north end rocks and which waves to pick as the sets rolled through. Picking your spot and wave selection proved critical to avoid the clean ups and get into the higher scoring potential and steeply walling lefts and rights.
With conditions still big, our Contest Director Pauly Jeffrey made the call to postpone the under 12’s to Sunday. Safety is always number one priority and with a quick shuffle of the schedule on live heats we were able to crack on with under 16s and 14s quarter and semi-finals.
It was a great call by Pauly as Sunday morning saw light winds and glassy 3 footers on a 13 second period rolling into North Fistral – perfect conditions for the under 12’s. After ten heats of fierce surfing from the Grom’s and with the offshore wind picking up we kicked off the finals.
The girls’ finals ran first with Josie Hawke putting down a solid combination score with her first two waves and holding on for a well-deserved victory in the U12s. The U14 Girls final was another classic with Bethan Davies taking top spot and laying down the biggest scoring wave of the final. The U16 girls was possibly the heat of the weekend, stacked with talent and an epic battle between Lauren Sandland and Belle Betteridge. Amazing surfers with very different styles, it was Belle who clinched the victory with 11.43, just 0.07 ahead of Lauren!
The boys U12 final kicked off just after midday with Harvey Waters putting down the highest single wave score for his age division and going on to take the win. The U14 boys’ final didn’t disappoint with some exceptional surfing, a great battle between Lukas Skinner and Heath Gillespie with Heath emerging for the win. Last up the U16 boys saw the busiest heat of the comp, with 32 waves caught in 20 mins, the judges were kept on their toes as Fynn Gillespie made it a Gillespie double as he surfed to the top spot.
All through the weekend the support for the surfers was amazing. Cheers would erupt from groups of spectators as competitors threw down progressive manoeuvres and made their way through the rounds. Comradery was super high between the groms’ with hugs and fist bumps between competitors and heaps of support from the beach all through the weekend.
“As ever, the crew at Surfing England did a first-class job hosting our legendary Rip Curl Grom Search comp and we couldn’t have asked for better conditions. The standard of surfing was so high and it’s a privilege to be able to keep supporting these groms as they grow and develop” – Jay Vilarrubi-Smith, Rip Curl UK.
“What a weekend! Fistral produced the goods with outstanding conditions and the groms stepped up to the plate across all the age divisions to put on a show with some exceptional surfing. It was an absolute pleasure to host and to have juniors from across the UK coming down to Newquay. The vibe on the beach was very special, with surfers and families supporting each other and sharing in the joy of each competitor’s success, whether that was gaining the confidence to step into a competition rashie for the first time or taking an event win. The depth of talent across the UK is growing fast and Grom Search continues to play a crucial role bringing juniors together to compete and form new friendships on their surfing journeys”. – Ben Powis, Surfing England.
A huge thank you to Rip Curl for continuing to be the leading major surf brand in supporting domestic competitive surfing. Thank you to the 18 strong crew of Event Staff that made the event possible including ERA lifeguards, and to Panoptic Motion and Nicko photo for joining the media team.
Thanks to the parents and families, many of whom drive long distances to be at the comp and helped to create a wonderful atmosphere, and most importantly to the competitors who brought with them huge stoke and enthusiasm, acted with sportsmanship throughout and gave us some epic surfing performances which will live long in the memory.
RESULTS:
U12 Boys
1. Harvey Waters
2. Joshi James
3. Kai Cruickshank
4. Harley Miller
