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AAP
AAP
Sport
Roger Vaughan

Surfers hopeful as Bells competition put on hold again

Defending champion Tyler Wright is facing an elimination heat when surfing resumes at Bells Beach. (PR HANDOUT IMAGE PHOTO) (AAP)

More small surf and poor winds have forced another lay day at Bells Beach.

It's the fourth day without competition since the Rip Curl Pro event window opened last Tuesday.

But the forecast has organisers hopeful they will be able to re-start in front of bumper crowds on Easter Sunday, even though conditions will not be ideal.

The window runs until April 14 and all the round-one heats for the men and women were held on Thursday, meaning organisers have wriggle-room when the competition resumes.

"As expected, the poor conditions have continued today at Bells Beach," World Surf League sport chief Jessi Miley-Dyer said.

"Fortunately, on the forecast this is the smallest day of the window, and although the winds won't be ideal for a couple of days, there is plenty of swell on the horizon.

"From here on, we should have more to work with and will get competition underway in the coming days."

When the event resumes, 11-time world champion Kelly Slater and Australia's defending Bells Beach title holder Tyler Wright are among those facing round-one elimination heats.

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