Locals win places in Bells pro

TWO SURF Coast locals will take on the world’s best surfers at Bells Beach this Easter.
Cahill Bell-Warren, who lives at Bells Beach, and Jan Juc’s Zoe Clarke have won wildcardS to compete in the Rip Curl Pro.
The duo won through to the main event with victories in men’s and women’s trials competitions in small waves at Bells Beach.
“I’m so stoked to win at my home break and in front of all my friends and family,” Bell-Warren said.
“I’ve grown up surfing and competing at Bells Beach, from Torquay Boardriders and Surfing Victoria domestic events now through to the highest level of competition in the world. It’s an amazing feeling.
“Coming up against the top seeds will be fun. They are at the top for a reason and you can learn a lot from them just by surfing against them.
“All you can do is worry about yourself and the waves you catch.”
Seventeen-year-old Clarke faces reigning world champion Carissa Moore in the first round.
“It hasn’t really sunk in yet. I guess once the competition starts it will probably hit me a bit more,” Clarke said.
“The high tide helped with the waves but there were only really five decent ones in the heat – I was lucky to get two good waves early.
“I’m just taking this event for the experience it is and am just hoping to learn as much as possible coming up against the best in the world.”
The Rip Curl Pro has a competition window from Wednesday to 27 April 2014.