Callinan stars with Bells surf semi result

Australian surfer Ryan Callinan reached his first semi-final at Bells Beach after an upset win over Kelly Slater before he bowed out of the Rip Curl Pro.

Callinan

Australian Ryan Callinan is encouraged by making the semi-finals of the Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach. (AAP)

Ryan Callinan tries to set aside thoughts of his mum and dad when he's competing.

But the Australian surfer knows Garry and Janice are always there.

Seeing wildlife will remind him of them, or the rainbow that appeared after one of his Friday heats at the Rip Curl Pro.

Nearly two years ago Janice died suddenly, meaning a double tragedy for Callinan and his younger twin sisters.

Fifteen months earlier, Garry had lost his battle with cancer.

So when Callinan was the last Australian in action on Saturday with his first semi-final appearance at Bells Beach, it was loaded with meaning.

"I don't know whether I think about them when I'm out there, but I know they're there," Callinan said of his parents.

"He is with me, and mum's with me as well."

Callinan was left ruing a lost opportunity in his semi-final against Filipe Toledo, as the Brazilian beat him with a late wave.

But Callinan started Saturday with a massive highlight, upsetting the legendary Kelly Slater in the first heat of the quarter-finals.

As they waiting for the heat to start, the AC/DC classic Hells Bells was blaring on the loudspeakers, a Bells Beach tradition.

"That was a special moment for sure, a bit surreal," Callinan said.

"It could be the last time he (Slater) competes here, who knows?"

Callinan is back for a second stint as a fulltime championship tour competitor after was last in 2016 and had to return to the qualifying ranks.

"I really had big goals to not do the qualifying series at all this year; I think this has just solidified it in the right direction," he said.

"Hopefully I won't be chasing two tours."


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Source: AAP



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