The first Bells Beach contest was supposed to be held in late 1961 but was delayed until the Australia day weekend of 1962.

[5] Occasionally George "Ming" Smith is credited as winning the 1961 event but he actually won the "wave of the day" in the first contest (1962) and was awarded a prize of 1 pound, and a pennant saying "winner 1961".

The entire 2005 event was held at Phillip Island due to poor conditions in Torquay.

Winners of the Rip Curl Pro receive smaller replica Bells trophies to keep.

Each year, Rip Curl founder Doug 'Claw' Warbrick presents the trophies to the winning athletes.