Some of Victoria’s leading surfers are set to battle in their own trials event for a chance to compete against the world’s best at Bells Beach during Easter.
The Visit Victoria Trials will pit locals against competitors from around the state for a single wildcard into the men’s division of the Rip Curl Pro.
Other male hopefuls from interstate and overseas will compete for a second wildcard in the event’s separate Rip Curl Trials.
Organisers said a single wildcard would also be available to the woman who won a combined Victoria and Rip Curl Trials.
“The Visit Victoria trials is an integral part of our development pathway” said Surfing Victoria chief Adam Robertson.
“It ensures that our junior surfers get a chance to surf at Bells Beach but also provides a platform for our more experienced competitors to get a shot in the main draw.
“Having a dedicated Victorian wildcard is something we are all very proud of and I can’t wait to see who gets the chance to compete against the world’s best this year.”
A heat including two Rip Curl-sponsored surfers and single Victorian would determine the winner of the women’s trails, Robertson said.
He listed a series of “notable” local surfers competing in the trails, including Jan Juc’s Tim Stevenson, Jack Perry, Xavier Huxtable, Zoe Clarke and India Robinson, along with Bells Beach’s Cahill Bell-Warren and Barwon Heads’ Billy Harrison.
Stevenson, Perry, Bell-Warren and Clarke were previous trials winners, Robertson said.
Competition would begin at Bells on Sunday depending on surf conditions, he said.
