The longest running event in competitive surfing, The Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach is an iconic stop on The World Surf League Championship Tour.
As the legend goes, “You’ve got to win it to ring it!” And in 2025, the best surfers in the world will once again have their chance to ring their way into history.

The Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach is a renowned stop on the World Surf League Championship Tour, and the longest-running event in competitive surfing.

Not only this, it's held in Torquay, the birthplace of Rip Curl. Thestoried list of former champions includes Rip Curl athletes such as Tyler Wright and Mick Fanning.

Suffice to say, the event holds a special place in our hearts and is part of the zeitgeist of the brand. As such we like to have our fingers on the pulse when it comes to all things “The Pro”. Read on for tips and tricks, event info, merchandise and more.

Directions & Parking

From the Rip Curl Flagship Store in Torquay, get on the Surf Coast Highway. Drive all the way down past the footy oval. Then, take the second exit, heading up the hill towards Jan Juc. You’re now on the Great Ocean Road. Stay on the Great Ocean Road, take a left down Bells Boulevard. Take it slow, there are some concealed driveways along this stretch and these roads are often thoroughfares for local wildlife too. Keep your eyes peeled for echidnas and kangaroos. Soon enough you’ll hit a T-intersection at Bones Road, turn left! By now you’ll see the official car park Bells-adjacent, a perfectly groomed 8-10ft swell (we hope!), and many others like yourself eager to watch the action… Follow the bouncing ball from here into the car park. The staff will collect a parking fee and usher you to the best available spot. You made it!things “The Pro”. Read on for tips and tricks, event info, merchandise and more.

Walking In

Prefer to stretch your legs? Take the Bells Track! This scenic stroll runs from Jan Juc, where there’s ample free parking, to Bells Beach where the competition is held. It’s relatively low intensity and beautifully scenic, with local vegetation and ocean views for the majority of the trek. There are a few benches along the way for those keen to stop and take it all in or catch their breath. Spanning a little over 3kms long (or 2 miles), the Bells Track is also part of a larger network of Surf Coast Walks that connect from Point Impossible to Aireys Inlet, if you want more.

Riding The Bus

Shuttle Bus running Easter weekend (Friday 18th - Monday 21st) only.
The shuttle bus is a great way to get into the event with the whole crew. There are hourly services from the Rip Curl Car Park (on the half hour). Stops and run-times to be confirmed. Make sure you’re checking the Rip Curl socials (listed below) for The Call. The daily bus service may stop running earlier if the event is called off for the day.

Tickets for the event can be purchased at the gate from the first day of the waiting period. Tickets can only be purchased from the event site. 

Ticket Prices:
Festival Pass – $35
(Consession: $20)

Day Pass – $17
(Concession: $12)

Kids 16 & Under – Free
Parking – $5
Torquay 3228 Residents – Free

*Due to capacity limitations at Bells Beach, Festival Passes do not guarantee entry on the day. Capacity limitations are put into place to ensure the continued preservation of the Bells Beach surfing reserve. Unfortunately, no dogs are allowed on site unless they are a qualified, accredited assistance dog and serving the person they are with. Note: Security may ask you to provide documentation to prove this.

Accessibility

The Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach strives to ensure as many people as possible can enjoy the thrill of watching the world’s best surfers compete on some of the world’s best waves.

To do this, we have been working to improve the accessibility of the Rip Curl Pro, including features to support physical accessibility, along with the introduction of some new sensory friendly event elements to support people on the Autism Spectrum, plus more.

Some features at the Rip Curl Pro to improve accessibility include:

• Accessible Parking
• Accessible Toilet
• Accessible paths of travel around the main event
• Accessible viewing platform
• Social Script to support attendance (Coming soon)
• Sensory Mapping to identify areas of low, medium and high stimulation (Coming soon)
• Accredited Assistance Animals welcome, with clear identification.

What's On

If you’re in Torquay during the event checkout the Rip Curl Flagship Store at 101 Surf Coast Hwy. The store is packed with our latest threads, surfboards, wetsuits, and equipment. Plus, we'll be screening the Rip Curl Pro live outside the boardstore. Relax in the sunshine and watch the world’s elite wreak havoc on our favourite right-hand points.
When in Rome, do as the Romans do. When on the Surf Coast, surf! If it’s a lay-day and the event isn’t running you can still catch a wave at one of the magnets along the coast. However, if you’re surfing at WinkiPop, remember that the WSL do run the event there from time to time. Keep an eye out for officials and respect the call so that when it’s on, it’s ON!

Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Trials:
The Rip Curl Pro Trials will take place on Tuesday April 15th at Bells Beach. The event will feature the top Victorian Male & Female surfers with a spot in the main event up for grabs. 
Competitor information and allocations can be found here

Welcome To Country & Indigenous Expression Session:
Thursday 17th April at Bells Beach.
The Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach is opened with a Welcome to Country from Traditional Land Owner Corrina Eccles

Jumbo LIVE Screening at the Rip Curl Torquay Store:
Friday 18th - Monday 21st April
Relax in the sunshine and watch the world’s elite wreak havoc on our favourite right-hand points.

Day One of the Waiting Period:
All the action kicks off on Friday 18th April, 2025

Rip Curl Team Signing:
4:30pm Saturday 19th at the Rip Curl Flagship store in Torquay. Bring along a wetsuit to recycle, skip the queue! 

Stories from The Eddie Q&A:
6:30pm at Rip Curl’s Head Office in Torquay. Featuring Q&A with Mason Ho & Felicity Palmateer, hosted by Kaipo Guerrero. Free event.  

TRACKS Party
Venue: Torquay Surf Life Saving Club  Date: Friday 18 April Bands/DJ: Rum Jungle, Bakers Eddy, Pisco Sour, DJ Eddy Plus Special host Smivvy from Aint That Swell Tickets: here 

Is the Rip Curl Pro on today?
Is the Rip Curl Pro on today? We'll be doing daily updates on our event page and socials each day of the waiting period. We’ll let you know The Call so you stay informed and don't miss out when it's ON!
Official Event Page: Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach
Instagram: @RipCurl
TikTok: @RipCurl
Facebook: @RipCurlAU
Twitter: @RipCurl

Pack Ya Bags

Wondering what to bring to Torquay? Well, predicting the weather on the Surf Coast is notoriously fickle. Five seasons in a day. If you don’t like the conditions, just wait 20 minutes… they’re bound to change! Below we’ve got our picks for embracing the elements, fending off the sun, catching a few waves, and just generally winning at the event. When you’re prepared, there’s nothing better than feeling the cool offshore breeze lap over the dunes and into the surf. Do it in Rip Curl style with ultimate comfort.

Not In The Area?

Can’t make it to Bells? Don’t miss a heat. Stream it live via the WSL website. If you don’t have the luxury of tuning in for the whole event you can still see the best rides, thrills and spills with our daily highlight reel uploaded to the event page.