subject: Bells Beach 2012 Surf News [print this page] Rip Curl Pro 2012- Bells Beach Victoria, Australia
Another looking good this year is South African Jordy Smith who was on point to win the first event until he ran out of steam in the trying conditions that were on offer for the semi finals at Snapper. However, Jordy looked like he has a new burning desire after suffering a major rib injury in Tahiti last year, and being forced to miss a crucial contest in his world title bid against Kelly Slater.
Don't discount John John Florence either. The gifted Hawaiian wonder kid just procured the win at the ASP Prime event, the Telstra Drug Aware Pro at Margaret River in Western Oz last week doing gigantic punts and taking down many of the world's greatest in the process. Coming off another incredible season on the North Shore of Oahu, Florence is building momentum in his own modest way. The Rip Curl Pro 2012 Trials will be held on April 2nd to decide which of the locals will get a chance to compete alongside the world's best. Last year Nic Muscroft won the trials and looked in shape as he shredded the clean lines at Winkipop all through his heats. Which of the locals will obtain the trials this year?
While the waves at Bells were small on Wednesday, the surf is scheduled to pick up steadily from here on out and spike in size by late Friday afternoon. According to Coastalwatch head forecaster Ben Macartney, the swell is looking ideal for Bells.
"It's absolutely the biggest swell we've seen so far this season," Macartney said, "The swell angle is about 220 degrees and the bulk of the swell arrives at 16 to 17 second intervals on Friday night and early Saturday morning. This is an excellent direction and period for Bells and Winki. The swell should build throughout Friday from 5 to 6 feet towards 6 to 8 feet during the afternoon with a late push towards 8 to 10 feet possible late in the day. The peak of the swell should hold at 8 to 10 feet early on Saturday before easing back to 6 to 8 feet during the day. These estimates may be revised as the storm develops, but this is definitely a significant swell."
The last goofy footer to win at Bells was Mark Occhilupo in 1998, but prior to that we had goofy foot champions like Damien Hardman, Barton Lynch and Tom Carroll in the 80s and 90s. Is the natural footer dominance at Bells something that you take note of?
