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Ethan Ewing's mum won Bells Beach in 1983 and now the new Australian surfing star is two wins away from emulating her after advancing to the semi-finals.
Nearly 40 years after his mum won at Bells Beach, new Australian surfing star Ethan Ewing is two wins away from emulating her.
Ewing beat compatriot and Olympic bronze medallist Owen Wright in Saturday's quarter-finals to reach the last four, where he will go up against Brazilian star Filipe Toledo.
Australia is guaranteed at least one men's finalist, with fellow local young guns Callum Robson and Jack Robinson in the other semi-finals.
The men's and women's Rip Curl Pro titles are set to be decided on Sunday, with the women also at the semi-final stage.
Ewing's late mother Helen Lambert won the 1983 Bells Beach title.
Ewing is the top-ranked Australian in the men's rankings, courtesy of his third placing at Hawaii's Sunset Beach Pro, and is chasing his first World Tour event win.
"(This result) is huge. It's kind of the top of the list for the events I want to do really well at so to get into the semis, it feels really rewarding," Ewing said.
"I had a good prep here so I feel like it's paying off."
Reaching the quarter-finals was also a big step forward for Wright, who needs strong showings at Bells and the next round at WA's Margaret River to avoid the mid-season cut.
Ewing produced a two-wave total of 16.33 to easily eclipse beat Wright (11.17).
"Owen's such a good competitor ... he's really smart and he's been surfing really good," Ewing said.
"I know he needed a big result so quarters is great for him and I wish him well for Margarets".
Robson, who eliminated wildcard Mick Fanning on Friday, narrowly beat fellow tour rookie Miguel Pupo of Brazil.
After their heat was re-started because no waves had been caught, Robson scored 13.54 to beat Pupo by just 0.54.
Robinson had an event tighter heat against Brazilian Italo Ferreira, the 2019 world champion and 2018 Bells Beach champion.
The Australian scored 14.00 to upset Ferreira by just 0.20.
Toledo reversed the 2019 final result at Bells Beach, beating Hawaiian star John John Florence in their quarter-final.
Toledo won 16.40 to 14.76 and with Florence and Ferreira knocked out, Bells Beach will have a new men's winner.
The men's quarter-finals were the only action on Saturday, with the event put on hold until mid-afternoon.
The women's semi-finals will feature Australian Tyler Wright against defending champion American Courtney Conlogue and world No.1 Brisa Hennessy of Costa Rica against reigning world champion Carissa Moore of Hawaii.
