So we have the forecast just in and it looks like it is going to be a small to medium sized Bells at least for the first half of the comp.
After what happened at Snapper, Mick, Kelly, Medina all bowing out early and rookies like Stewart Kennedy showing what they are made of, it makes this event kind of hard to call. You would traditionally go for someone who was on-form, had some experience out there and had a good power rail game.
For me and the way I like to watch Bells being surfed, one of the best to watch out there when it was firing was Taylor Knox, the man had a rail game like no other, had experience there and when he was in form… well, check this out.
Enough said. So back to the programme, who is the new Taylor at Bells?
Mick Fanning- I think that Mick Fanning has the motivation to win Bells as he had a poor result at Snapper, and is looking to take some events off, but is that competitive fire coming from the right place? I know that Mick has won many times before but, not this year. Count Mick out.
Kelly Slater- Nope, the champ is looking good on those new SD boards but I think he is missing someone to push him at the moment, and while we see glimpses of brilliance, he does not look like he can sustain the performance especially in small to medium size bells.
Jeremy Flores & Micheal Bourez- These two have got an amazing rail game and also have the hunger to win at the moment, they have the experience out there but I can't help feeling that, again the conditions are going to be a little small for the Spartan and Mimi.
Italo Ferreira- You may think its a long shot but I would bet my favorite surfboard on this kid doing well at Bells, he lives on an awesome right hand point and he is in great form at the moment, he also has a cool head on his shoulders and a year's experience in his pocket. Check out some footage of him at home last year.
Stuart Kennedy - He was on awesome form at Snapper and maybe he can carry the momentum through to Bells, one thing is for sure all eyes will be on him and it depends how he handles that pressure.
Personally I would like Mason Ho to do well, not just because he is surfing very well at the moment but I also want to see as many post heat interviews with him as possible, the man is a legend already, all he has to do is be a little more consistent.
The waiting period is about to start and I can't wait to see what happens this year especially after the unexpected turn of events at Snapper. Mick under pressure, Kelly waning, Joel waiting in the wings and the rookies biting at their ankles. May the best man win...
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