By Luke Voogt
A charity surf event will replace the cancelled Bells Beach Rip Curl Pro over the Easter long weekend, Surfing Victoria has announced.
Instead of the event, which normally draws surfers from across the globe each year, teams of seven will take to the waves at Bells for the Bolt Blowers Invitational on Easter Saturday.
The event will raise money for local Indigenous mentoring group Strong Brother, Strong Sister and mental health charity One In Five.
“With the cancellation of the 2021 Rip Curl Pro, this was the perfect opportunity to raise the profile of this event and the issues around mental health we are all facing after a tough 12 months,” Surfing Victoria chief executive officer Adam Robertson said.
The Bolt Blowers grew from a group of friends initially holding a small surf event in 2006 to raise funds and awareness for mental health.
“We are in awe of the work that the Bolt Blowers community have done over the past 16 years,” Mr Robertson said.
The event features a team format with seven surfers competing in succession with their total scores tallied to find the winner.
All surfers must ride either an original single- or twin-fin board that predates 1983.
The Bolt Blowers committee stated it was “humbled” to be invited to Bells over Easter and thanked Surfing Victoria and Surf Coast Shire for a chance to “shine light for mental health”.
Surf Coast Shire mayor Libby Stapleton welcomed the event to Bells Beach.
“Through disappointment comes opportunity,” she said.
“The cancellation of the Rip Curl Pro has created the window for something new, and I am delighted the Bolt Blowers Invitational is ready and willing to take on the famous Bells Easter swell this year.”
Last Friday state government announced a three-year deal with World Surf League to bring the Rip Curl Pro back to Bells beginning next year.
World Surf League this week confirmed the Australian leg of its championship tour, effectively ruling out an alternative championship event at Bells Beach this winter.
Funds from the Bolt Blowers Invitational donated to Strong Brother, Strong Sister will support Aboriginal mentors teaching Indigenous youth water safety and surfing, and helping improve their health and wellbeing.
One In Five supports leading Australian mental illness experts at the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health and Monash Health.
Entries open on March 9 for a maximum of 24 teams. Teams which have previously supported the event will get first priority.
