Bells Beach: Locals out as competition heads to Monday semi-finals

Changes have been made to Bells Beach finals schedule due to ‘crazy’ conditions as local talents Ethan Ewing and Ellie Harrison crashed out.

BELLS BEACH, VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 26: Ethan Ewing of Australia prior to surfing in Heat 5 of the Opening Round at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach on March 26, 2024 at Bells Beach, Victoria, Australia. (Photo by Aaron Hughes/World Surf League)

Australia’s hopes of a local winner at Bells Beach are over after defending champion Ethan Ewing and Victorian teenager Ellie Harrison bowed out in the quarter-finals.

Ewing lost to Cole Houshmand, who opened their quarter-final on Sunday with a monster score of 9.07 that was all the more intimidating because of the conditions.

Ewing started with a 6.0 and Houshmand followed up with a scratchy 4.77 that was decisive when the reigning Bells champion had a frustrating and fruitless wait for a decent wave in flat conditions.

“That was crazy,” Houshmand said. “Sitting that long for 30 minutes felt like two years out there. I was kind of tripping but stoked it went my way.

“He’s one of the best surfers in the world. He won this event last year, so I tried not to put too much pressure on myself.

“Ethan’s been dropping huge scores all event. At some point in the heat I was like ‘I just have to ride a wave and take something to put the pressure on’.”

Wildcard entrant Ellie Harrison wasn’t able to get into the semi finals. Picture: Getty Images

Morgan Cibilic, the other Australian in the men’s quarter-finals, was pipped 12.17 to 12.16 by good mate Matthew McGillivray.

“I wish we got more waves in that heat,” South African McGillivray said.

Organisers paused the action after the quarter-finals. Monday has been called off, but there is hope the semi-finals will start on Tuesday.

Harrison, aged 18 and from nearby Barwon Heads, beat two-time defending Bells champion Tyler Wright and Australian star Molly Picklum in an impressive debut on the world surfing tour.

However, world No.1 Johanne Defay was too good for the young gun in their quarter-final when she won 12.13 to 10.86.

Conditions at Bells Beach have been disappointing. Picture: Ed Sloane/World Surf League)

Harrison, who only secured her spot in the competition after winning last week’s wildcard trials at Winkipop, described her first taste of the famed surfing event as the “most incredible experience”.

“Very grateful for the opportunity, hopefully I’ll get more opportunities to be here,” Harrison said.

“This experience has been so amazing, surfing at my home (event). Having all my family here.

“It was a good heat with Johanne. She’s an amazing surfer so, yeah, not bad to bow out to her.”

Defay next faces Costa Rican Brisa Hennessy, while Americans Caroline Marks and Caitlin Simmers will square off in the other women’s semi-final.

Houshmand and McGillivray will go head-to-head in the first men’s semi-final, while Griffin Colapinto will face Rio Waida.