Bells Report: Griffin And Seabass Out, Reef Heazlewood And Xavier Huxtable In

After hearing a hot tip on the infamous Bells Beach stair-set, Stab got on the phone with Griffin Colapinto, who confirmed that a niggling knee injury would prohibit him surfing in the 2019 Rip Curl Pro Bells. 

“Yeah, I just tweaked it on a wave yesterday. It’s not too bad, it’s pretty minor, but I’m just gonna head home and work on it for now. Hopefully I’m back for Bali,” Griffin told Stab.

Taking Griffin’s place will be the Quik Pro mega-stud Reef Heazlewood, who not only got second (arguably first) in the Red Bull Airborne but also beat last year’s World Number 2 surfer, Julian Wilson, in the main event, earning a Round 4 berth in his maiden CT venture.

Reef took time out of his frantic packing efforts to field our call.

Newly sponsored, practically on tour! Photo: Amber Mozo

“I’m so stoked. I’m getting a flight down tonight. I think it might run in the morning so I’m trying to pack as fast as I can,” Reef told Stab. 

But what’s his Bells experience like?

“I’ve done a few Pro Jrs., and I’ve done some time working with Adam Robertson, too. I’m not worried about results, so I’m hoping I can just come in and cause a pretty big upset in the first round [laughs]. 

Reef is known for being a frontside air guy, but he also got an 8 at Dbah with two backside hangers. How does he feel about digging in the heels?

“I feel really comfortable at the Bells bowl and Winki, and I think I’ve got a pretty good backhand, so I’m excited to showcase it.”

Despite not pulling out in seven years (or perhaps because of it), Seabass will also be removing himself from the Bells heat draw, as his wife, Krisy, is expecting to bear their first child sometime very soon. 

Taking Seabass’ place will be local lip-tickler Xavier Huxtable, who with a proclivity for over-the-coping antics, might offer CT surfers some grief in the smaller forecasted conditions. 

Reports from the ground say that Winki will be the go at first light, with a mid-sized WSW inching around the corner. Waves should be about head-high, maybe a little bigger. 

See ya there!