The hallowed waters of Bells Beach, Victoria will host the opening event of the 2012 Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) calendar with the ASP 1-Star Championship Moves Open and Pro Junior Presented by CHIKO, and the EVO Womens Pro Junior Presented by Ghanda.

The 5-day surfing festival will play host to the first ASP Star rated event in Victoria in four years, a 3-Star boys ASP Pro Junior and 3-Star girls ASP Pro Junior, with a total prize pool of $35,000 USD.

Max Wells, Surfing Victoria’s CEO is thrilled about the upcoming event and the opportunity it offers local surfers to compete at an ASP World Tour event.

“We are really excited to kick off the ASP World Tour for 2012,” Wells said. “We will be encouraging as many local surfers as possible to get involved, and in particular our junior surfers so that they gain some experience surfing against elite surfers. We’ve got a reasonably good surf forecast for the first few days, so right now all signs are pointing towards a great event!”

Harrison Mann (Torquay, VIC/AUS), 17, finished 18th on last year’s ASP Australasian Pro Junior Series and will be looking to post a big result at his hometown event this week. Mann has also been awarded a wildcard into the men’s ASP 1-Star event and will get his first taste of competing in the big leagues.

“It’s epic to have an event at home!” Mann said. “I know the waves really well and I’ve got eight mates staying at my house from all over the place, it’s a great way to start the year. I can’t do all the Pro Junior events this year because I’ve got my year 12 exams, so I’m hoping to get a good result here.”

The Championship Moves Open and Pro Junior Presented by CHIKO will run from Jan 5th to Jan 9th.

The EVO Women’s Pro Junior will run from Jan 5th to Jan 8th.

For event info, news, photos and scores stay tuned to – www.prosurfinglive.com/live/2012/bells/.