What the 2023 Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach lacked in waves, it made up for in sentimental value.
While you can’t script this, if the WSL could have, they would’ve chosen these exact two outcomes: Ethan Ewing winning the men’s side 40 years after his mother, Helen, rung her first and only Bell in 1983. And Tyler Wright winning the women’s (for the second year straight) just after her brother, Owen, retired for good from competitive surfing earlier in the event.
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“Far out,” said an emotional Ewing in the water just after the final ended. “This event is probably the one I’ve wanted to win the most — it feels so, so good. It’s such a special thing, I’ve been thinking about it [joining his Mom on the list of winners] since I made the tour, it’s been a huge goal of mine. I wanted to do her proud.”
Back on land with Laura Enever, Ewing collected himself and continued:
“Just a crazy week. A lot of emotions. I’m over the moon. All my heroes have won this: Joel, Mick, Kelly, Steph, Carissa and my Mom back in ’83. It’s an honor to compete here and to put my name up with hers is really special.”
For Tyler Wright, her second Bell in as many years came with less raw emotion, after a steady week spent hanging with family and friends while celebrating her brother Owen’s retirement from competitive surfing. Less pressure meant more freedom — a winning combination for Wright.
“You know what? I didn’t really think much of this week, it wasn’t like last year where there was so much emotion in it,” Wright said to Kaipo Guerrero on the back of the ski directly after the final. “It was 12 years to try to get the first one, and this one feels different, but it’s still a privilege and an honor. It’s moments like these that mean the world to me. Big week, bro retired, it’s really special. He [Owen] had an amazing career, and some traumatic points throughout it, so it was one of those things where it’s cool to see him finish here.”
Back on land with Laura Enever, Wright continued:
“Having my full team here, having extra family here with my aunts and uncles, it really does mean a lot. We don’t get that anywhere else. Beyond grateful for the opportunity and the experience, and also having Molly [Picklum] out there in a final. I learned a lot last year about how to manage Bells. It’s a marathon. It’s a full thing in and of itself. And it’s really special to win.”
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