Former World Champion surfer and Rip Curl Pro Contest Director Damien Hardman has spent more time than most surfing Bells Beach, both in and out of competition. With the event waiting period starting on Tuesday, we tracked him down to find out what weather patterns bring The Bowl to life, and what kind of surfing suits Bells’ long peeling walls.

The Weather

The perfect storm for Bells Beach: a long fetch in the Southern Ocean (blue arrows) cooking up powerful groundswell, while nearshore winds (orange arrow) remain light and North Westerly.
Image source: BOM

Long-period groundswells are standard fare on the Surf Coast. When conditions come together and Bells is on, long righthanders wrap into the beach through the Bowl. While not as hollow as many other contest venues, the size and period of a typical Bells swell means the waves rarely lack punch. 
Image source: Rip Curl

Many choose a slightly longer, less-rockered board to draw the longer lines best-suited to Bells' open walls. It's a break suited to powersurfers. Surfers who like a bit of size on their backhand - from Occy to Owen Wright (pictured) also seem to do well at The Bowl. 
Image source: Rip Curl