2005 Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach

IN the face of continuing small swell and forecast onshore winds at Bells Beach, the Rip Curl Pro is re-locating to Phillip Island on Victoriia’s east coast. The Foster’s Men’s World Tour Top 45 and Rip Curl wild cards met in the c ompetitor’s area at Bells at midday today, and after lengthy discussions, it was decided that the event will re-convene for a start at Woolamai Beach on Phillip Island at 7am tomorrow morning.

Event organisers have had trusted scouts checking conditions all day today on Phillip Island, as well as west along the Great Ocean Road at Johanna. Phillip Island is considered the best option, expected to have waves good enough to complete the 48-man draw in the four remaining days of the waiting period.

Event Director Max Wells reported to the surfers that Woolamai Beach has four good breaks, and is most likely to be the location where the event will be completed.

Surfers left the event compound shortly thereafter to pack up their quivers and take on the Easter Monday traffic for the four-hour drive to Phillip Island, which is 137 kilometres east of Melbourne.

“It’s interesting - a huge undertaking to move the entire event over there to Phillip Island, but we’re stuck in a bit of a corner right now since we’ve been here for a week without having surfed a heat. With only four days left in the waiting period we need to use every day, and so we really have no option,” commented South African Greg Emslie.

“Yes, we’ll have to wait and see if the move pays off, but I’ve never been there before, so I’m amped to check it out,” added his Durban mate and Top 45 rookie Travis Logie.

“It’s a heavy call to have to make,” said former Torquay local, now Gold Coast resident and WCT surfer Troy Brooks.

“The surf would probably be bigger down at Johanna, but the beach breaks at Woolamai are usually really good, and the place caters for wind from every direction, so hopefully we’ve made the right decision,” added Brooks.

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Pray for surf!