Ethan Ewing returns to Bells Beach to defend Rip Curl Pro crown
Australian surfer Ethan Ewing’s emotional Bells Beach victory in 2023 saw him follow in his late mother’s footsteps by ringing the famous bell. The reigning champion opens up on his return to the famous break.
Bells Beach continues to hold a special place in Australian surfer Ethan Ewing’s heart, though the reigning Rip Curl Pro men’s champion admits it's a “weird feeling” being back to defend his title.
The Queenslander returns to the famous break almost a year on from an emotional win which saw him follow in the footsteps of his late mother Helen, who was a former Bells Beach champion herself back in 1983.
“Last year was such a special event for me, pretty hard to top that one,” Ewing said ahead of this year’s event, which started Tuesday.
The 25-year-old, who advances to the round of 32 with an opening day heat win, admitted there was pressure associated with trying to defend his crown as he tries to embrace the week ahead.
“It feels good, it’s a weird feeling being back as the defending champion but I’m also just really excited to be back in Australia,” he said.
“This is probably my favourite event of the whole season almost.
“I love competing in Australia, it’s my closest event to home.”
Ewing, who will represent Australia at the Olympic Games later this year, has started the season in career best form after finishing runner-up to Felipe Toledo during last year’s World Surf League finals.
Currently second in the rankings behind American Griffin Colapinto, who beat out Ewing in the final of Rip Curl Pro Portugal this month, the Australian is feeling confident of a strong run on home soil at Bells Beach and Margaret River.
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“It’s good to make finals, didn’t get the win (in Portugal) because I made some mistakes but I feel like I’ve got some momentum going into these events,” he said.
“This is the best start to the season for me in my career but I feel like these events in Aus are my strengths almost so I think, just giving myself every opportunity to do well but also looking at the big picture of staying at the top of the rankings for the world title at the end of the year.
“I feel my experience is now paying off and I feel I’m surfing the best I’ve been since getting on the tour.”
Originally published as Ethan Ewing returns to Bells Beach to defend Rip Curl Pro crown
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