Aussies Rule at Bells Beach

It was an Aussie double at Bells Beach with Ethan Ewing and Tyler Wright ringing the famous trophy at the Rip Curl Pro event.

Wright claimed back-back to titles while Ewing beat Ryan Callinan on a day dominated by surfers from Down Under.

The win was especially significant for Ewing, who was following in the footsteps of his late mother, Helen Lambert. A trailblazer for women’s surfing, Helen won the title back in 1983 aged just 18.

“It’s such a special thing, I’ve been thinking about it since I’ve been on Tour,” Ewing told the WSL.

“It’s been a huge goal of mine and in honour of, I wanted to do her proud. I’ve had her trophy next to my bed since I can remember and I’ve dreamt of having my name on the stairs with her. Tell your mum you love them because you never know what life throws at you.”

The 24-year old surfed 11 waves in the final with a heat total of 14.50 trumping Callinan’s two-wave score of 11.00.

“It feels pretty good. I’ve had a slow start this year. This event I really found my feet, and I’m really looking forward to all of the events. There’s a lot of beautiful places we get to go to and I’m looking forward to all of them.”

In the women’s heats, Aussies dominated the event like never before, with Molly Picklum taking down Isabella Nicols to make the final against Wright who overcame reigning world champ Step Gilmore to secure her spot.

Picklum was no match for the in-form Wright who looked sharp and aggressive in her approach at Winki Pop.

“It took me 12 years to get the first Bell, and this one, it felt different but all the same,” Wright said in her post heat interview.

“It’s an absolute honour and a privilege to surf here at Djarrak. It’s been amazing to have my full team and support here. It’s moments like these that mean the world to me now. To really execute this week the way I wanted to, like I have, I’m really proud.”

It capped off an emotional finals campaign for Wright, after her broth, Owen Wright finished his career.

“It’s been a big week with my bro retiring, and it’s been really special. He had an amazing career and had obviously very traumatic points through that, so it was really cool to see him finish here.”

In the World Rankings, Picklum has maintain her spot at the top, while Wright has rocketed to second. Gilmore sits in ninth with Nichols tied at 10th alongside Macy Callaghan.

For the Men’s, Jack Robinson has dropped to second, Ewing is in fourth, Callinan sixth. Other Aussies currently above the mid season cut line are Connor O’Leary in 12th, Callum Robson who is 14th. Jackson Baker and Liam O’Brien are on equal points in 21st position as the Tour heads to Margaret River in WA.