Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach cancellation paves way for Bolt Blowers Invitational
Surfing fans rejoice! Another gnarly event is due to fill the giant shoes of the Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach this Easter. This is what’s planned.
Geelong
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In the wake of the cancellation of the Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach, Surfing Victoria has announced it will now hold the Bolt Blowers Invitational on the Easter Saturday, with the surf event to raise money for mental health awareness.
In collaboration with The Bolt Blowers and the Surf Coast Shire Council, the event will raise money for mental health charity One In Five and Aboriginal mentoring organisation, Stronger Brother, Stronger Sister.
One In Five supports leading Australian mental illness experts at the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health and Monash Health.
“We are in awe of the work that the Bolt Blowers community have done over the past 16 years,” Surfing Victoria CEO Adam Robertson said.
“They have been ahead of the curve in shining a light on mental health and raising money for mental health-focused charities.”
The funds donated to Strong Brother, Strong Sister will allow Aboriginal young people to access a positive Aboriginal Mentor once a fortnight to learn how to surf, water safety, surf development training but most importantly to improve their health and wellbeing.
“With the cancellation of the 2021 Rip Curl Pro, this was the perfect opportunity to raise the profile of this event and the issues around mental health we are all facing after a tough 12 months,” Mr Robertson said.
The event is run as a team format with each team having seven surfers competing in succession with their total wave scores tallied to find the winner.
All surfers must ride either an original single or twin-fin board that pre-dates 1983.
Surf Coast Shire Council Mayor Libby Stapleton welcomed the announcement of the event.
“Through disappointment comes opportunity – the cancellation of the Rip Curl Pro has created the window for something new and I am delighted the Bolt Blowers Invitational is ready and willing to take on the famous Bells Easter swell this year,” Cr Stapleton said.
“Further, I am excited that through surfing we have an opportunity to support important mental health research and the acclaimed Strong Sister Strong Brother program.
“Respect and promotion of Indigenous culture is one of our management principles for Bells Beach so the Bolt Blowers Invitational is an ideal fit for 2021.”
More information will be released in the coming weeks via www.surfingvic.com
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Originally published as Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach cancellation paves way for Bolt Blowers Invitational
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