BELLS BEACH, Victoria/Australia – Clean three-to-four foot (1 metre) waves are on offer at the primary venue of Bells Beach this morning, prompting event organizers to call a 7:30am commencement for Round 1 of the Rip Curl Women’s Pro Bells Beach presented by Ford Fiesta.

Event No. 2 of 7 on the 2012 ASP Women’s World Championship Tour, the Rip Curl Women’s Pro Bells Beach will host the world’s best female surfers are the vie for prize money, ASP ratings’ points and the honor of ‘ringing the bell’ come event’s end.

Talk Story Series with RANDY RARICK with Host JODI WILMOTT

Doors open at 6p – Show starts at 8p
$5 Donation to charity
North Shore surf legend, pro surfing pioneer and life-long global wavefinder, Randy Rarick knows as much or more about the sport of surfing than just about anyone on the planet. Founder of the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing on Oahu’s North Shore, and executive member of the Association of Surfing Professionals World Tour, Rarick has invested 40 years of his life to the sport, its athletes, and the lifestyle. The culture of surfing is a huge component of Rarick’s interest and he has traveled to more than 70 countries in search of the perfect wave.

Taj Burrow (AUS), 33, current ASP World No. 1, will face Kolohe Andino (AUS), 18, and trials winner Nic Muscroft (AUS), 29, in Round 1 of the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach.

BELLS BEACH, Victoria/Australia – The Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach presented by Ford Ranger will commence its waiting period tomorrow and the Southern Ocean is poised to deliver excellent conditions for the world’s best surfers to do battle in.

Joel Parkinson (AUS), 30, reigning and three-time Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach champion, will be back to defend his title in the coming weeks at the second stop on the 2012 ASP World Championship Tour season, the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach presented by Ford Ranger.

BELLS BEACH, Victoria/Australia  – The world’s best surfers are descending upon the Australian state of Victoria for the second stop on the 2012 ASP World Championship Tour season, the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach presented by Ford Ranger, to be held from April 3 – 14, 2012.

Gabe Kling made his way to the Quarterfinals of Vans Pier Classic competition today.

HUNTINGTON BEACH, California – The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) 4-Star Vans Pier Classic and Vans Pro Junior presented by Jack’s Surfboards and hydrated by Vitaminwater saw competition continue in pumping six-to-eight foot waves and the event’s top surfers put in some standout performances to decide the event’s Quarterfinalists.

The Box, Western Australia (Saturday, 31st Mach 2012) Jacob Romero (HAW/Maui) shared a 3rd place finish with Dave Winchester (AUS/Mullumbimby) at the 2012 IBA Box Pro. The Box turned on for the final day of competition, providing powerful 6-8 foot waves over the shallow reef. The young Hawaiian managed to fight his way from Round 2 of the trials into the semifinals of the main event, where he was finally stopped by an in form Mitch Rawlins (AUS/Gold Coast) the eventual event winner.

With the 2012 Rip Curl Pro waiting period is near.... the Southern Ocean appears to be stirring from its summer slumber just in time. An impressive southwest swell – the first big swell of the year for Victoria – is forecast to send solid lines to the Surf Coast this Friday, setting the stage for a serious Bells dress rehearsal just prior to the 51st running of the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach presented by Ford.

Michael Peterson has passed on. Another legend lost. Our condolences to Michael's family. Our memory of him lives on.

Michael Peterson, who died today of a heart attack, was a unique figure in the sport and culture of surfing. While many tried to define him in various ways – as the second coming of Nat, or in latter years, as Australia’s Mickey Dora – MP resisted all comparison. His passing will send a jolt through the memories of surfers in Australia and worldwide who grew up with him, heard about him, or just saw him rip. To many of these surfers. it will feel like the end of an era.

Lance SmithSean Mattison with Kelly Slater, doing research on the Nub.

Martin Potter and Peter Mel called it the guitar pick. Some folks called it the fifth fin. But Sean Mattison, creator of the cute, little, red skeg that Kelly Slater used in his quad at the Quiksilver Pro New York, calls it the "Nubster."

So Slater went to the finals in New York and Mattison, a surfer/designer/coach from Oceanside, sold hundreds of "Nubsters" on his Von Sol Surfboards website overnight.

Pic Zeke Lau © Volcom

In full Hawaiian style the day rolled on smooth with no worries

Local SNN News, 27 March, 2012 :  Volcom held its Pufferfish VQS Surf Series event at Makaha last weekend. It was perfect Makaha for everyone. Fun rippable waves, sunny and as always, beautiful. Volcom guys were giving away goodies all day for the kids too. Kids were surfing amazing out there negotiating Makaha's famous backwash.