Australians dominated a surfing event like never before on Tuesday with Queenslander Ethan Ewing ringing the Bells Beach trophy for the first time after an unforgettable afternoon on Victoria’s surf coast.
Then 30 minutes later superstar Tyler Wright secured her second straight Bells title capping an emotional week after her brother, Owen, finished his career.
Wright overpowered fellow Aussie and rankings leader Molly Picklum in the second of two All-Australian finals at the 60th edition of the Bells Beach classic after Ewing defeated Newcastle’s Ryan Callinan on a historic day for the locals.
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An Australian victory in the women’s event was secured as early as the semi-finals with Picklum continuing her stunning 2023 by taking down Isabella Nichols before Wright took down reigning world champion Stephanie Gilmore with a dominant display to set up their final clash.
Emotions were high for 24-year-old Ewing who not only captured a second WSL title but also emulated the feats of his late mother, Helen Lambert, a surfing trail-blazer who won at Bells Beach in 1983.
The North Stradbroke Island local was only six when his mother passed away but he has spoken often about what an inspiration she was to him and dedicated the win to her.
“It’s been a crazy week and this event is the one I have wanted to win the most. Far out, so, so good,” Ewing said in the surf after his win.
“It’s such a special thing. I’ve been thinking about her since I have been on the tour and it’s been a huge goal of mine. I want to do her proud. So good.
“All my heroes have won this … including my mum back in 1983. To put my name up with hers, it’s special.”
Ewing, who was on the beach for 10 hours after being in the first heat of the day, dominated his clash with 30-year-old Callinan who was in just the second final of his career.
The veteran from Newcastle hadn’t made a semi-final since 2019 and was in tears in the surf after taking down two-time world champ John John Florence to make the final.
Before her final Wright declared she “didn’t care” who was in her way having taken down reigning world champ Steph Gilmore to make the final and then powered to a lead over Picklum which she never gave up.
The 29-year-old, two-time world champion was the ninth surfer to win back-to-back women’s titles, having taken 12 years to win it for the first time.
“It’s moments like these that mean the world to me now,” Wright said.
“To really execute the way I have this week, I’m really proud.
“I feel really at home here, safe and able to be able to open up a lot and it’s lovely to do that. It’s been a big week, big bro retired which was really special, he had an amazing career with traumatic points in it.
“It was cool to see him finish here too.”
Picklum finished 17th at Bells Beach in 2022 but the 20-year-old has turned herself into a force this season with a win in Hawaii catapulting her to the top of the rankings, which she’ll maintain despite her loss in the final.
“I look back at that 17th and just think wow, what a different person I am and what an evolved surfer,” she said.
Despite not ringing the bell Gilmore, who started the event in 14th place on the rankings, and Nichols, who was 15th, both significantly aided their cause in making the looming mid-season cut.
After the tour’s next stop at Margaret River the men’s field drops from 36 to 22 and the women’s from 18 to 10 for the rest of the year.
