Hi all, the family are heading down to Torquay and all wish to surf at Bells.
I've surfed there previously (on longboard and short board) and personally, I'm more interested these days in taking the SUP out for a cruise / play around in some fun Bells Bowl or Rincon waves as opposed to taking a board down and sitting in tight with the packs.
A mate was recently there and said he'd seen a couple of SUP's in the lineup but I recall from some years ago reading something along the lines of them being banned at Bells ?

Any comments / thoughts would be appreciated.

Not banned mate - I go out there a bit.
My profile pic here is at Bells.
Just be respectful and don't be a wave hog - and you'll be fine.

Winkipop is usually more competitive with shortboarders. Some will just paddle inside of you every time as they just don't want you there, but Bells (when it's smaller) has a more mellow vibe.

I don't know anything about it being banned but you never know.. Maybe pop into RipCurl at the Torquay shop and ask them..

About eight years ago we took our 17' long down wind boards out at Bells and paddled back to Torquay on a pretty flat day and got away with it but on a day when there is good surf I wouldn't recommend it unless you are well a know local.. Although it's do'able in my opinion it's a bit NQR and you could be asking for trouble with the locals both on the water and off..

Unless it's a big deal for you to you to be able to say "I sup'ed Bells" I'd recommend that you take a five minute drive to the south and go out at Point Roadknight or drive five minutes north and go out at Point Danger at Torquay..

Angourie is the same- not banned but the locals will likely let you know you're not welcome.
FWIW this is Australia and these are surfboards on a surf beach-bans just don't apply here.
Maybe between the flags areas where surfing is banned but not in surfing spots.
As Hoppo said be respectful, don't be a count without the O, and go for it

Thanks for the replies last week guys. We had an amazing session at Bells late one arvo. 2-3 foot and clean with only 1 longboarder out so riding the SUP was no issue at all.

We also had a fun small session at Cosy Corner with the learners and wings and went down to Anglesea and Point Roadknight for a look but chose the bakery over surfing as it was marginal at best.

The session at Bells was one I'll remember and we thought the area was amazing and will definitely be back; but with a foil too, as there were options everywhere.

Nice.. Great pics

When were you at Bells? I was there today! Although just being a tourist and admiring the place. Would have loved to bring the sup!

We were there Tues to Fri. The photos (and surf) at Bells was late Wednesday arvo. Cosy Corner was Thursday.

Your photos look great too ! We will be back !

I was told by the locals , Bells yes, Winkie Pop NO. Had a little play at Cosy Cnr too on the foil, great place for learning.

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kato said..
I was told by the locals , Bells yes, Winkie Pop NO. Had a little play at Cosy Cnr too on the foil, great place for learning.

Yep. That's the feeling I had too

I was eyeing off the wing dings at Cosy Corner wishing I'd taken my foil on the trip !

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surfanimal said..

kato said..
I was told by the locals , Bells yes, Winkie Pop NO. Had a little play at Cosy Cnr too on the foil, great place for learning.

Yep. That's the feeling I had too

I was eyeing off the wing dings at Cosy Corner wishing I'd taken my foil on the trip !

Never leave home without ( insert favourite toys)

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kato said..
I was told by the locals , Bells yes, Winkie Pop NO. Had a little play at Cosy Cnr too on the foil, great place for learning.

I've surfed winkie no probs, just have to adhere to surf etiquette just like anywhere

TBH if Winki is clean and head high + there will be so many out that i'd rather go elsewhere and not fight the crowd.

Surfanimal,

Roadknight is probably the best foil spot on the coast IMO. 500m+ rides...

Just needs a W, SW or S wind and some swell rolling through. Any north or east in the wind and it's a write off.

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Hoppo3228 said..
Surfanimal,

Roadknight is probably the best foil spot on the coast IMO. 500m+ rides...

Just needs a W, SW or S wind and some swell rolling through. Any north or east in the wind and it's a write off.

And preferably low tide..

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DavidJohn said..

Hoppo3228 said..
Surfanimal,

Roadknight is probably the best foil spot on the coast IMO. 500m+ rides...

Just needs a W, SW or S wind and some swell rolling through. Any north or east in the wind and it's a write off.

And preferably low tide..

100% agree.

Thanks guys.

Funnily enough I looked at it and immediately thought it was your version of our 'Bay Surf' here and again wished I'd have packed the Foil Drive.