Will the Bell ring like this?

SITE FOR SORE EYES: Cranking Bells is something to behold. Lets hold thumbs. Pic WSL

The best surfers in the world are converging on the hallowed surfing ground of Bells in the Australian State of Victoria for the The Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, and a couple of big early winter storms are brewing (swell to arrive around 31 March). South Africa’s Jordy Smith and Bianca Buitendag will be there, and fans back home will be holding thumbs for a strong comeback by the duo after a slow start at Snapper.

One of the longest-running pro surf contests in the world, the event first took place in 1962 and has paid prize-money since 1973. This window from Thursday March 24th to April 5th serves as the second of three Aussies stops o the WSL Championship Tour, picking up from last week’s event on the Gold Coast.

Matt Wilkinson (AUS) and Tyler Wright (AUS) lead the elite men’s and women’s fields, following wins at Snapper. Wilko, into his 7th season, collected his maiden CT win on the Gold Coast and wears the yellow Jeep WSL Leader Jersey at Bells. Wilko’s reliance on sheer talent, resulting in an aversion to training and a failure to best leverage his skills, has been significantly reversed in 2016, in large part due his coach, former CT surfer Glenn Hall.

“Glenn has helped me realise that I don’t want to wonder if I could have done better on tour. I’m still having a lot of fun, but I’m taking better care of myself and that has translated into results. Hoping to keep it going at Bells and hope we get some fun waves.”

Wright, an annual threat for the WSL Title since her CT inception in 2011, was untouchable on the Gold Coast and has her sights firmly set on attaining the, as yet, elusive world surfing crown.

“I’m focused this year,” Wright said. “2015 was a bit of an off year ... 2016 is off to a good start and I aim to keep it rolling at Bells.”

TWO TO TANGO: Wilko and Wright, two Aussies with the bit between their teeth. Photo: WSL

After an early exit and 25th place finish in the opening event, Smith will be relishing the opportunity to get his world title campaign back on track at Bells Beach, a venue where he has reached the semifinals on three occasions. Buitendag, who finished ninth on the Gold Coast, will also be keen to post a better result in the long right-handers and keep pace with the women’s rankings leaders after posting a career best No. 4 ranking at the end of the 2015 CT season.

Adriano de Souza (BRA) and Carissa Moore (HAW), reigning WSL Champions, are both past winners at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach and will be dangerous when competition gets underway this week.

Mick Fanning (AUS), three-time WSL Champion and four-time Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach winner, has stated that 2016 will be a ‘personal year’ for him and he will take some time off following the Bells Beach event. The iconic Australian, however, is still considered a heavy favorite in the myriad conditions that Bells Beach can throw at competitors.

A number of injury withdrawals have shaken up the competitive draw. On the men’s side, Owen Wright (AUS), Bede Durbidge (AUS) and Alejo Muniz (BRA) remain out of action resulting from their 2015 injuries. Their positions will once again be taken by Adam Melling (AUS), Stuart Kennedy (AUS) and Sebastian Zietz (HAW) respectively. Filipe Toledo (BRA) and Jack Freestone (AUS) have withdrawn due to recent injuries and are replaced by Hawaiians Mason Ho and Dusty Payne respectively.

On the women’s side, Lakey Peterson (USA) remains out of competition following her pre-season ankle injury. Her position will once again be filled by Bronte Macaulay (AUS).

The Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach will be webcast LIVE on WorldSurfLeague.com as well as the WSL app.

Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Round 1 Match-Ups:
Heat 1: Jeremy Flores (FRA), Caio Ibelli (BRA), Davey Cathels (AUS)
Heat 2: Julian Wilson (AUS), Stuart Kennedy (AUS), Adam Melling (AUS)
Heat 3: Italo Ferreira (BRA), Kanoa Igarashi (USA), Dusty Payne (HAW)
Heat 4: Gabriel Medina (BRA), Conner Coffin (USA), TBD
Heat 5: Mick Fanning (AUS), Keanu Asing (HAW), TBD
Heat 6: Adriano de Souza (BRA), Michel Bourez (PYF), TBD
Heat 7: Kelly Slater (USA), Kai Otton (AUS), Alex Ribeiro (BRA)
Heat 8: Joel Parkinson (AUS), Taj Burrow (AUS), Sebastian Zietz (HAW)
Heat 9: Matt Wilkinson (AUS), Kolohe Andino (USA), Miguel Pupo (HAW)
Heat 10: Nat Young (AUS), Adrian Buchan (AUS), Ryan Callinan (AUS)
Heat 11: Josh Kerr (AUS), Wiggolly Dantas (BRA), Matt Banting (AUS)
Heat 12: John John Florence (HAW), Jordy Smith (ZAF), Jadson Andre (BRA)

Rip Curl Women’s Pro Bells Beach Round 1 Match-Ups:
Heat 1: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), Bianca Buitendag (ZAF), Chelsea Tuach (BRB)
Heat 2: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), Malia Manuel (HAW), Alessa Quizon (HAW)
Heat 3: Carissa Moore (HAW), Keely Andrew (AUS), TBD
Heat 4: Courtney Conlogue (USA), Nikki Van Dijk (AUS), Laura Enever (AUS)
Heat 5: Tyler Wright (AUS), Sage Erickson (USA), Coco Ho (HAW)
Heat 6: Joanne Defay (FRA), Tatiana Weston-Webb (HAW), Bronte Macaulay (AUS)