Those of you who have seen the last scene from the movie Point Break may think you know about Bell’s Beach because it is where Bodhi is intercepted by Johnny Utah trying to catch the 50 year storm.
However that scene was actually shot very far away from Australia at Indian Beach in Oregon in the USA.
The real Bell’s Beach has virtually no trees unlike the set of the movie, and is named after the Bell family who owned the land adjacent to the bay.
It has now been designated a surfing reserve by the local government and as such is safe for all time from unwanted development.
I had been aware of the bay for some time before the movie because the Bell’s Beach surf contest held at Easter has been running for better part of fifty years now, and is still a regular stop on the ASP’s world tour.
Sadly when I arrive keen to bag the break for my scrapbook it was so calm at times that you could actually see all of the sea bed.
More 50mm trickle than 50 year storm! When it gets big you pick up the wave at the section known as Rincon in front of the headland and then surf it around into ‘the bowl’ directly in front of the bay.
I am kicking myself for not going in the other day when it had looked like this but I followed the crowd into Winki Pop. However “People trusted you” Rob. “You’ve got to go down.”
“I’m not going to paddle to New Zealand” in search of a wave but have to get in because like Bodhi I know I am not coming back.
I don’t attach the camera to the board and even consider taking the fins off because the water is so shallow above the rocks, but ride one wave lying prone on my board. Definitely not “Death on a stick out there mate!”
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