Bells Beach is famously touted as the longest-running professional surfing contest in the world and more than any other event on tour, is steeped in history.
The event began with little fanfare in 1962 – indeed, according to co-founder Vic Tantau, he and his friend Peter Troy set up a card table on the beach the first weekend of the year the waves were big and judged it themselves.
Eleven years later, a nascent Rip Curl, located in neighboring Torquay, signed on as the official event sponsor and has been ever since.
Countless power heats have been surfed at Bells, but let’s revisit, for a moment, the 1986 final – “the Battle of the Toms” you might call it. The diminutive two-time world champion, Tom Carroll, facing off against Tom Curren fresh off his first world title, eager to repeat, which he does.
Curren ultimately loses, but to see two titans of the sport trading blows at their prime is a pleasure. Thanks to YouTube account VHS Surf Vault for unearthing this and uploading it for all to enjoy.
