The 2012 Rip Curl Cup Invitational at Padang Padang is on today. A large Indian Ocean swell arrived during the night to the beaches of Bali, and contest directors officially opened proceedings at 9am this morning.

The 32 invited surfers – 16 of Indonesia’s best and 16 of the world’s top tube riders who have been standing by on Bali’s Bukit Peninsula for the last few days are ready to roll.

The large swell made landfall in Bali late last night and built rapidly. Organisers expect the swell to peak sometime this afternoon (Thursday). Tides for Padang are looking good for today, with low tides all morning and only a moderate high tide in the afternoon.

If you want to see some top world class surfing action get to Padang Padang today.

You can now watch all the surfing action from the Rip Curl Cup on the contest website. Heat highlights, including interviews with the surfers, and photos will be available on the website all day today. Click on ripcurl.com

Official 2012 opening-round heat draw:

Heat 1: Jamie O’Brien (Hawaii), Asher Pacey (Australia), Putra Hermawan (Nusa Lembongan), Mega Semadhi (Bali).
Heat 2: Kevin Bourez (Tahiti), Bobby Hansen (New Zealand), Rahtu Suargita (Bali), Made Lana (Bali).
Heat 3: Ry Craike (Australia), Pepen Hendrik (Bali), Lee Wilson (Bali), Dylan Lightfoot (South Africa).
Heat 4: Mustofa Jeksen (Bali), Ryan Hipwood (Australia), Bethany Hamilton (Hawaii), Wayan Gobleg (Bali).
Heat 5: Rizal Tanjung (Bali), Garut Widiarta (Bali), Ian Cosenza (Brazil), Mikala Jones (Hawaii).
Heat 6: Tom Lowe (England), Jesse Merle-Jones (Hawaii), Marlon Gerber (Bali), Darmaputra Tonjo (Bali).
Heat 7: Betet Merta (Bali), Chris Ward (USA), Dean Brady (Australia), Dede Suryana (Java).
Heat 8: Flynn Novak (Hawaii), Bol Adi Putra (Bali), Raditya Rondi (Bali), Ozzie Wright (Aus).