BELLS BEACH, Torquay, Victoria, Australia (Friday, December 6, 2024) - Today, the World Surf League (WSL) and the Victorian Government are excited to announce that the Bells Beach Longboard Classic, as part of the WSL Longboard Tour, has been secured through to 2027. The announcement comes off the back of a partnership extension between the WSL and the Victorian Government through its Regional Events Fund.
"The WSL is excited to lock in the Bells Beach Longboard Classic for three years," said Andrew Stark, WSL APAC President. "The event has been a massive success for the past two years with exceptional feedback from our surfers and fans globally. Bells Beach is such a fantastic wave to have on the WSL Longboard Tour, so it's excellent to have it locked in for future years. We'd like to thank the Victorian Government for their ongoing support of professional surfing in all of its iterations. Seeing the Championship Tour here annually, and then the Longboard Tour here later in the year is not only a testament to the versatility of the waves at Bells, but of the fantastic support shown to surfing by Victoria."
"These events bring the world's best surfers to Victoria, showcasing our extraordinary coastline to millions globally while driving tourism and economic benefits for the region," said Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos. "By locking in the Longboard Classic and the Rip Curl Pro, we're cementing Victoria as Australia's premier destination for surfing events and giving local surfers a chance to shine on the global stage through the Victorian wildcard program."
The Bells Beach Longboard Classic will continue to showcase local and national talent through the Victoria Trials, which will be held annually and award the winning male and female competitors a spot in the main event and a chance to compete on the world stage.
The 2025 Bioglan Bells Beach Longboard Classic will be the second stop on the WSL Longboard Tour, from September 17 to 21, 2025.