The waiting period for the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach starts tomorrow, and the world’s top surfers have descended upon Victoria, hungry for a place in surfing history.

With Kelly Slater looking to up his game after a surprising 17th at the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast, and Mick Fanning looking to repeat his first World Tour win back in 2001, it promises to live up to its reputation as one of the biggest stops on the tour. Joel Parkinson, winner of the Quiksilver Pro, will also be looking to maintain his winning run and stamp some early authority on the tour, which he has come close to winning on previous occasions.

Mick Fanning is feeling the stoke. “I always feel like I’m right up there in the hunt,” Fanning said. “I always feel competitive, but usually when you get up into the Quarters and Semis, things can get tough. I’m excited to be back in Bells again and it’s always been a special place for me.”

Women’s surfing phenomenon Steph Gilmore is in for the win, focused on a hat-trick of World Tour victories. “My focus is the ASP Women’s World Title and Bells has always been a good venue to me,” Gilmore said. “But to get three in a row and be associated with such incredible figures in sport is certainly a motivating factor. I just hope we can get excellent waves and show everyone what we can do.”

Here’s a catch up on what went down at the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast a few weeks back.