While there are 44 male WCT competitors, there are only 17 women on tour which makes for a much closer group. Girls are girls of course and there is the occassional disagreement, but for the most part the girls get along really well. Expecting small surf the following day, all the girls went out to dinner at a local pub in Torquay and shared a few bottles of wine. Here you see (Left to right) Sarah Beardmore, Megan Abubo, Serena Brooke and her friend Sophia, Jessi Miley-Dyer holding down the head of the table,  Sophia Mulanovich, me, and Rebecca Woods. 

Friendliness does not mean there isn't quite a bit of competition between the girls. After dinner Rebecca Woods decided to see if she could tackle Megan Abubo and wrestle her into the couch. She started on top... 

...but did not finish that way! 

The following night, we all went out to a Thai restaurant called the Imperial Rhino. The owner was quite impressed to have so many professional surfers in his restaurant, gave us all t-shirts, and insisted we put them on immediately and pose with a member of his staff.  

Rebecca Woods shows off her new t-shirt featuring a rhino surfing on Kelly Slater's surfboard. 

I got a chance to check out the famous bell. I did not dare test out the ring of it. Only the winners of the event are allowed to ring the bell. 

The final morning of women's competition was pumping with good surf and offshore winds.  

The final between Stephanie Gilmore and Sophia Mulanovich was incredibly exciting. Sophia opened up with two 8s and seemed unstoppable. Steph needed a 9 to re-take the lead. Of course you can never count out a world champ. She got her 9.33 and rang the bell for a second year in a row. Since Sophia won the opening event of the year at Snapper, she sits solidly on top of the ratings, but with this win, Steph moved up into 2nd. It will be an exciting title race between these two all year long!