UPDATE: Looking for 2023 Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach odds? Click here.
We picked three of the four semifinalists for the recently completed MEO Pro Portugal. While none of our three favorites won the event (honors went to Griffin Colapinto) we certainly deserve some credit. After all, we predicted a return to form for Italo Ferreira. Ferreira cracked the World Surf League (WSL) World Championship Tour (WCT) top ten after a rough start in Hawaii. Otherwise, names in the Top 5 remain relatively unchanged with the exception of Felipe Toledo who replaced Caio Ibelli as a contender for the 2022 WSL Finals. The pros now get a break as they eye the next WCT event at iconic Bells Beach in Victoria, Australia, in April. Will the month-long hiatus allow the usual suspects an opportunity to recharge? Will the time-off destroy the momentum of early season standouts? Will we once again see another winner defy odds to upset the favorites? There’s a lot to consider before making your wager.
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Betting Preview for the WSL WCT Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Men’s Surfing Competition Running from April 10-20 2022
Where: Bells Beach, Victoria, Australia
When: Waiting period runs from April 10-20, 2022
Betting Lines: View WSL betting odds
Streaming Broadcast: WSL website / WSL YouTube
Online Commentary: BeachGrit
Surfing Podcast for Post-Event Recap: SurfSplendor
FAVORITES
John John Florence: 4/6 Odds
WCT Ranking: No.8
If you reference our last three predictions for the 2022 WCT event schedule then you’ll see that we’ve maintained JJF’s favorite status throughout. In fact, the Hawaiian remains the top pick (+275) to win the World Title in September despite his No.8 ranking. Why? Because he continues to put forth World Champion worthy performances. Tricky wave conditions in key heats have hiccuped his pathway to the Finals for the WCT events so far this season, but he’s due for a win. More than due. Can he get it done at Bells? Absolutely. He won the event the last time it ran back in 2019.
Filipe Toledo: 4/6 Odds
WCT Ranking: No.4
John John won the last WCT event at Bells Beach, but it was Toledo who joined him in the Finals. Prior to that 2nd place result, the brash Brazilian had a few 5th place finishes in Victoria, but as he matures a win seems inevitable. The wave is a long explosive right-hander that is perfect for Toledo’s rail and air game. He’ll have plenty of room to throw spray and toss his signature alley-oops with white wash claims to boot. At press, Vegas sportsbooks give Filipe Toledo +450 odds to win the WSL Finals. A win at Bells could boost him into the top spot.
Italo Ferreira: 5/1 Odds
WCT Ranking: No.10
As alluded to above, it was only a matter of time for 2019 World Champion Italo Ferreira to return to form. That happened with a semifinals finish in Portugal. What better place to carry the momentum than at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, an event that he won in 2018? The goofy-footer will bring his kinetic energy to Bells’ long and rippable right. Ferreira is well aware that to secure a WCT Top 5 spot (and cement his place in the Finals for September) he needs to make a move now. A focused Ferreira is a dangerous Ferreira. Bet on it.
Kelly Slater: 8/1 Odds
WCT Ranking: No.2
The last time Kelly Slater made the finals at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach was back in 2012, when he lost to nemesis Adriano de Souza. It’s been 10 years since he’s had an admirable result in this neck of Australia. That said, 2022 Kelly Slater isn’t the same one we’ve seen over the last decade. His 2022 Billabong Pipe Pro win and No.2 ranking indicates a return to the days of old. Will he channel the 2010 version of himself when he won the event? Slater also won the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach in 2008, 2006, and some other time in the 90s. In total he owns four Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach titles. Five has a nicer ring to it, doesn’t it?
SLEEPERS
Jordy Smith: 12/1 Odds
WCT Ranking: No.9
Doomed to live within WCT top ten purgatory, South African Jordy Smith remains a threat to win anywhere on the revamped tour, especially Bells which he won in 2017. He has racked up other strong performances at the event in the past. He has a 2nd place finish (2016), four 3rd place finishes (2009, 2011, 2013, and 2019) and a trio of 5ths (2010, 2012, and 2015). It’s hard not to call him a favorite to win here, but his performances thus far this year are a little underwhelming. Smith has six heats wins so far in 2022, with an average heat score of 12.05.
Kolohe Andino: 15/1 Odds
WCT Ranking: No.12
The California kid who was once touted to be a future World Champion still has what it takes to take his very first win on the tour. The last thing he wants is to be another Taylor Knox. However, he’ll need a consistent heat score that is much higher than his current 11.56 average. Being that Andino hails from San Clemente, home to Lower Trestles (aka “Baby Bells Beach”), he can put together a great score on a right that offers a similar yet longer canvas. He is especially motivated to get a WCT win after witnessing his young friend Griffin Colapinto get one at the MEO Pro Portugal. Kolohe has four 13th place finishes at Bells Beach.
LONG SHOT
Miguel Pupo: 20/1 Odds
WCT Ranking: No.11
There’s more pep in Pupo’s step this year. There’s just something about his performances that indicate a win in his 2022 WCT balance sheet. How has he performed at Bells in the past? A 13th in 2016 is his best result so far. Not great, but enough to make the Brazilian a long shot pick that could pay-off. Bet accordingly.
2022 WSL RIP CURL PRO BELLS BEACH MEN’S WINNER PREDICTION
This wave is made for Filipe Toledo. Look for the Brazilian to claims his first Bells win in 2022.
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