Shaun Brookes was before his time. A surfing prodigy and a trail blazer. He inspired so many surfers through his unique surfing style developed in his home town - Bells Beach and Winki Pop. 

The son of Quiksilver’s Rod Brooks, and brother of former World Tour surfer Troy Brooks, Shaun battled depression and various mental health issues from his mid 20s until at he was 36, when he died by suicide.

Like so many other who have lost their battle to mental health, the Bells Beach 50 Year Storm invitation was established in memory of Shaun to acknowledge his struggle and that of so many others in the surfing community.

5 years in the waiting for just the right swell, Bells Beach 50 year Storm finally went live in 2021.  Originally planned to kick off in 2017, when conditions offered up 12ft plus, bombing 🔔s

Thank you to all the participants, organising committee and the surfing community for honouring Shaun in this way and for bringing the mental health conversation alive in Torquay. 

Here is what happened