May 22, 2023
Invitees announced
The public has spoken and the 40 invitees for the 2023 Bells Beach 50 Year Storm surfing event in memory of local legend Shaun Brooks are now set.
Earlier this month, public voting platforms closed, with the 40 lucky surfers including inaugural winner Tim Stevenson, big wave extraordinaire Ross Clarke-Jones and Surf Coast female chargers Angela Ball and Bella Wilson gaining the honour to take part.
In 2023, the gathering will again aim to shed light on mental health and wellbeing on the biggest and best surfing day of the winter season.
After catching some monster waves and finishing as a finalist in the 2021 event, Ball said she couldn’t wait for this year’s annual gathering to come around.
“I’m stoked to be apart of an event like this one once again, where it tackles real issues that everyone in society is affected by… it’s a very special event,” she said.
“It was awesome getting to surf in the first event they ran and even more awesome to get a couple of waves.
“At the end of the day it’s not about how you go in it; it’s about bringing the community together and showing friendship and care to one another.
“I’m super-excited for the day to experience the atmosphere of nerves and excitement with hopefully some big lines out the back.”
The event has only run once in its six-year history and all eyes will be set on the ocean in anticipation of the next big swell.
The Bells Beach 50 Year Storm surfing event waiting period kicks off on June 1 and extends until July 31.
An opening ceremony celebration is set to be held on June 3 at Bells Beach.
More details can be found here.
Surf Coast Times story here.
Image: Angela Ball surfs during the 2021 Bells Beach 50 Year Storm event, credit JULIAN SMITH.
