Surfing: Paige Hareb to bring up World Tour half century at Rip Curl Women's Pro

Paige Hareb is set to make her 50th appearance on the World Surf League Championship Tour. Photo / WSL

Paige Hareb's journey on the World Surf League Championship Tour began with a bang.

Making her debut on the top stage in the sport in December 2008, the Kiwi surfer eliminated then-world no2 Sofia Mulanovich in the second round of the Billabong Pro in Hawaii.

It's been a wild ride for her since then, falling off the tour at the end of 2014 and having a three-year grind on the qualifying series. But she's back now, and a decade after her debut, was set to compete in her 50th event on the Championship Tour.

"It's pretty crazy," Hareb said of reaching the half century.

The 27-year-old will paddle out at the Rip Curl Pro at Victoria's Bells Beach this week, with the competition window opening on March 28. The event was the second of the year, with the Kiwi falling early in her first competition back on tour to eventual winner Lakey Peterson.

🔔 #RipCurl​Pro #BellsBeach | March 28 - April 08 @ripcurl pic.twitter.com/7rOqOrFAgg

— World Surf League (@wsl) March 26, 2018

The Victorian contest was the scene of one of her favourite memories from her previous 49 contests. In 2009, her rookie season, she reached the quarterfinals of the event after eliminating Hawaiian Coco Ho in round three where she surfed one of the best heats of her career.

"I caught a good one right away, jumped on the ski to get back out in the line-up and caught another one. I think I had her combo'd within the first five minutes."

While this week's event would be a milestone contest for Hareb, it would be a memorable one for the entire men's and women's fields, as Australian Mick Fanning would be making his final appearance as a full-time member of the tour.

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It’s time. I’ve decided the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach will be my last event as a full-time competitor on the World Surf League Championship Tour. The tour has given me so much but I need a fresh challenge. I still love the game but can’t find the motivation and dedication required to compete for World Titles anymore. My time on tour has been incredibly rewarding and I have so many amazing memories, all of which wouldn’t be possible without some very special people... My Mum, Dad, Sister and Brothers. I love you. My sponsors that have stood by me and continue to back my goals. My shaper Darren Handley and his entire team for the care and hard work they put into every single one of my boards. My fellow competitors on tour, you are like brothers and sisters to me. My very tight support crew that have been there in good and tough times, thank you for always being honest with me. And thanks to the fans and everyone that has encouraged me and cheered me on for all these years. I’m looking forward to life away from the tour while keeping a close eye on things. I’m so proud of our sport and the way it continues to evolve. The performance level on the Championship Tour and the Big Wave Tour is remarkable. I can’t wait to watch it all go down as one of the sport’s biggest fans. I’m also looking forward to evolving my own surfing in new ways, visiting unfamiliar places and taking on different experiences. I will be competing at the opening event at home on the Gold Coast and then wrapping things up at the Rip Curl Pro. Bells Beach is where my Championship Tour career really kicked off, I’ve always loved the place and it seems a fitting stop to finish things up. It’s gonna be a big fun party and you’re all invited to come. Hope I see you there. Cheers and thanks for the memories. Mick @ripcurl_aus @redbullau @reef @dhdsurf @dragonalliance @creaturesofleisure @vertra @fcs_surf @skullcandy @mercedesbenzvans_au @opkix @grapes @mfsoftboards @balterbrewers

A post shared by Mick Fanning (@mfanno) on Feb 28, 2018 at 12:25am PST

Fanning, 36, announced earlier in the year he would be stepping away from the tour as he no longer had the motivation and dedication to compete. The three-time world champion had been a staple of the Championship Tour for the past 16 seasons, making his rookie debut in 2002.

"It'll make it special for everyone on tour here," Hareb said.

Fellow Kiwi surfers Ella Williams and Ricardo Christie will also be in action this week as they continue their charge on the Qualifying Series with a QS3000 event in Barbados.
Heading into the event, the two sat 33rd and 43rd respectively and would be looking for strong performances to add to their campaigns while the Championship Tour athletes weren't in the field.