Bells 81
Brand X Video courtesy of Bob McKnight
intro by Ken McKnight
posted 2003-07-15
Surfer Magazine www.surfermag.com headlined it, "Bells: 15' Super Contest." I called it a blind luck poker game with clever dealers, a huge pot, and a lot of experienced players. This was no crapshoot, but rather a high stakes event featuring, incredible surfing at the highest level, waves of enormous size and, a new direction in board design that changed the face of surfing forever. There were a few losers in this contest and a lot of winners, the biggest in the world of surfing itself. Why? Not only did Australian Simon Anderson win the whole shebang, and another Bell's trophy, but he also did it on a fresh design idea, in spectacular waves the likes of which had not been seen before outside of Hawaii. It was the contest by which all others were to be measured for years to come and as my blind luck would have it I was smack dab in the middle with a deck of cards.
Photo by Ken McKnight
Working for the Curl in 1981 I augured into Torquay just in time to see the last of the Quiksilver Trials and the opening round of the main event, the Annual Rip Curl Bells Beach Easter Surf Contest. This event just happens to be the longest running professional surf contest in existence. The Bells area rightfully boasts a strong surf history with great cold waves, a Woodstock-esque vibe, and a rugged coastline. The people are genuine, down to earth, and hospitable. Being the home to Rip Curl and Quiksilver the annual event is more a happening then a contest machine. And so it was as we all walked into the Valley of Neoprene yawning, stretching and anticipating a mellow event with ample surf and a hometown atmosphere. But it was not to be as mellow as all that. What we got was a classic lesson in blind man's bluff.
After a typically Australian whirlwind, Mr. Toad's wild ride, just to get to Torquay, I was ready for anything. I had a copy of the recently released "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas," in my right pocket and a bottle of champagne in the other. Rip Curl threw a crazy party at their old factory complete with a band and everyone was out of control. When the music broke into a rousing rendition of Sex, Drugs, and Rock N Roll everyone started putting their fists thru the plasterboard as the mild mannered R/C accountant Rod "the Bod" Barr cooked weenies in the parking lot not knowing he was going to have to pay for the new damage. Those not in competitions the following morning partied on, inspirationally finishing off the warehouse in a disgusting graffiti stained session.
Photo by Ken McKnight
Wild-eyed, I free surfed excellent Winki Pop the next day as the ISP rated Easter Classic kicked in with solid 4-5 foot waves over at the Bells Bowl. The water was perfect for selling full suits and the weather was typically Victorian, four seasons in a day. Afterward I lumbered up to the "Official Bus," a double decker model in front of the surf that was dedicated to contestants, sponsors, ISP top 24, and the rest of us trying to hang around and look cool. I sat my ass down in the front row for the next four days with a disgusting meat pie and a Fosters. How was I to know that what was going to happen would set the surf world on it's collective ear for years to come? The cards were dealt and the game was on.
Photo by Ken McKnight
Bells 81 had a lot on the line. Not only was there a titanic struggle for valuable ISP (International Surfing Professionals, now called the ASP) points between MR, Cheyne, Shaun Tomson, Simon Anderson, and Dane Kealoha, but also there was a lot more at stake. The IPS machine was at full speed trying to keep the proverbial wheels on the track amidst financial challenges, constantly strained judging intricacies, power struggles within, professional surfers, and venue shifts. Throw in the Hawaiian surf scene, California's strange act, and magically you have a lot of drama and a lot of money for the time on the table. It was a ripe moment for something to happen, especially after a lackluster Stubbies event.
