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Large swell expected for the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach

Guy Dixon, Thursday April 17, 2014 - 15:27 AEST

A 6-8 foot groundswell is on the horizon for the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach.

For many surfers around the world, the Easter long weekend means one thing - the Rip Curl at Bells Beach. Every year since 1962, the world's best surfers have travelled from the far reaches of the globe to compete for one of the most coveted trophies on offer.

The Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious events on the surfing calendar. This year marks the 53rd year of competition at Bells Beach making it the longest running competition worldwide.

As we sit on the second day of the waiting period with barely any surf, many people can't help but cast their imaginations forward to the swell predictions for the long weekend.

A large, complex low pressure system located over the Southern Ocean is forecast to generate a fresh west-southwesterly groundswell for the Surf Coast this weekend. This system is expected to produce surf peaking at around 6-8 foot on Saturday.

While Saturday will see the peak of the swell, Sunday is looking to be the best day of competition under light west-southwesterly winds. Offshore breezes and 6 foot surf should produce clean right hand walls for the world's best surfers to do battle.

On the back of this west-southwesterly ground swell, we can expect to see a second swell event along the Surf Coast on Monday. Despite not being as intense, a second compact low pressure system southwest of Western Australia should generate 5-6 foot surf to consolidate the good conditions over the weekend.

Unfortunately for spectators, the wild southern ocean is expected to dish out some fairly unpleasant conditions. A cold front will bring gusty winds and showers to the Surf Coast on Friday, before becoming lighter on Saturday and Sunday. A second front will slip south of Victoria on Monday however showers are likely to once again linger.

- Weatherzone

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