Gilmore ready for Bells Beach

There are few more iconic symbols of world surfing than ringing the bell at Victoria’s famed Bells Beach, something that seven-times World Surfing Champion, Steph Gilmore has done no fewer than four times in the past.

Last year, Gilmore kicked off what would become her successful campaign to clinch a seventh World Title with a win in the Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach and the Audi ambassador is hoping to get her 2019 campaign off the blocks in similar fashion.

A win at Bells Beach this Easter weekend would give Gilmore her 30th Championship Tour event, making her second only to the great Kelly Slater.

After kicking off this season with an equal fifth place finish in Queensland (Boost Mobile Pro Gold Coast), Steph Gilmore will be hoping to make it back-to-back wins at Bells on her way to what would be a record eighth World Title in 2019.

"I started last year with an equal fifth and then came to Bells, won the event and went on to win the Title, so I'm not too worried about last week's result," the Audi ambassador said. 

"It is great to be back here at Bells Beach. It's a place I've been coming to and competing at since I was 15 years old, so it really does feel like a second home for me and the wave itself suits how I love to surf. Ringing the bell is a true honour and I'd love to do it for the fifth time.” 

Bells Beach also hosted the second round of the Rising Tides – WSL Girls Program. In addition, in the lead up to the main event getting underway, young rising stars of surf aged from six to 16 years old got to take to the water alongside their surfing heroes including Steph Gilmore, giving them the extraordinary experience of surfing with and drawing inspiration from the greats.

Also present was the incomparable Gail Couper who holds an unmatched 10 Bells Titles (before the current professional era), and was the first female Bells Beach Champion. No doubt, Steph Gilmore will gain plenty of inspiration from the presence of this female pioneer of the sport when the event is called ‘on’ and she looks to ring that famous bell for the fifth time.