50TH Bells Beach Rip Curl Pro - Chat with Simon Anderson

Welcome to Bells Beach, Victoria, Australia. Made famous through the years by one of the most famous surf contests in history, the Bells Rip Curl Pro, and not by that stupid movie claiming a 50 year storm and that Keanu could surf. This year is Bell's 50th as it officially becomes the greatest surf contest in history. Heavy call? Just take a look at the roster of past champions - Bells through the Ages

So tomorrow the battle between the world of pro surfers and Mr Kelly Slater continues. Kelly, with a couple of rings of the famous Bell should be pretty confident, especially considering there is some serious looking swell on the way and we hopefully wont have to watch this historical contest go down in shitty beach break at Johanna Beach.

In line with the great past, I decided to interview the man with possibly one of the greatest victories ever at Bells (He also started a surfing revolution in the process, thanks to his then "Radical" board design, with 3 fins, yes the Thruster was born!) I chatted to Simon Anderson...

Simon on his way to a historic win for himself and the thruster

Kai -  Bells turns 50 this year. What are your thoughts on this momentous occasion for a surf contest?

Simon - Bells has always been the longest running professional surfing event globally and if surfing needs traditions then this is a good thing.
I believe surfers like the idea of Icon events with a great history particularly in good wave locations.

Kai - When did you first surf Bells?

Simon - In 1971 at the Australian Titles.

Kai -  How has it changed since then?

Simon - The surf not a bit, the town quite a lot, the contest has evolved a lot but still primarily setting the standard for presentation of pro surfing at the highest level.

Kai - What was the best board you ever had for Bells?

Simon - That's a hard question, generally my boards suit Bells and Winki. I had good boards in 77 and 81 but I guess my favourite has been a 7'8 19 3/4 2 7/8 Rounded Pin vee bottom that I've surfed a lot at Winki Pop on 6 to 8' plus days through the 90's

Kai - What went through your head standing on the rocks with a new board design, about to paddle out at huge Bells for the finals, the day you won?

Simon - I won at Rincon the surf was 1 to 2 feet and I thought Cheyne Horan was going to kill me. On the big day initally I was concerned about getting out, being able to sneak through between the Winki button and Bells bowl inbetween the massive sets and then once out the back whether or not I could catch a 12 footer on a 6'6. fortunately at that size Bells seemingly breaks in the one spot so it wasn't too hard to track one down.

Kai - Besides your victory, what was the best win at Bells for you?

Simon - The best win is when you get a clean offshore heat at 6 to 8 feet.

Kai - Who is your favorite Bells surfer?

Simon - I have many Sunny Garcia, Andy Irons, Adam Robertson, Occy, Tom Curren, Wayne Lynch, Mark Richards to name a few.

Kai - Who you calling for 2011?

Simon - It's wide open the wave really suits Parko, there are a few dark horse new guys, Dane has a good chance if fit and maybe Jordy if it's sizeable.

Thanks Simon! What a legend. Here is hoping it is sizeable and Jordy can ring the Bell for the first time!