Bells tolls for six of the best as Rip Curl Pro competition begins

Alex de Vos
The world’s best surfers brushed aside nerves as Australia’s most prestigious professional surfing event kicked off at Bells Beach this week.
Instead, they expressed excitement about tackling Bells again this year for the Rip Curl Pro.
Past Pro winner and nine-time world champion Kelly Slater described the annual pilgrimage to Bells as a highlight on his surfing calendar.
Slater was looking forward to tackling the iconic surf break.
“It’s a lot of fun,” Slater said.
“The waves are a little tricky – sometimes it’s not even like the same surf spot. It’s definitely a challenge.”
Australia’s world champion Stephanie Gilmore was “really excited”.
“Coming down here is so comfortable,” she said. I’ve got family down here and have a long relationship with Rip Curl.
“Hopefully we get some good waves.”
Gilmore said she would follow a “conservative approach” to embracing the 38th annual event.
“I don’t really have any strategies, just being relaxed and the simple things seem to work for me.”
Western Australia’s Taj Burrows, ranked number one so far this year, said he couldn’t wait to surf “The Bowl” after time off “relaxing and having fun”.
“I’ve had a couple of good results and I’m excited to get rolling,” he said.
“All I care about it trying to keep my level of surfing at its best.”
Last year’s winner, Joel Parkinson, expected tough competition.
“The level of surfing on the tour is hands down the best we’ve seen it – it’s getting harder to win world titles,” he said.
“The cream will rise to the top (during this competition).”