The first event of the 2026 World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT) season, the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Presented by Bonsoy, has been called off for the first two days of the waiting period. An inconsistent and declining swell left limited opportunities for competition at both the main podium of Bells Beach and the backup location at Winkipop.
Event organisers will make the next call on Friday, April 3, at 7:45 a.m. AEDT for a potential 8:05 a.m. start. WSL VP of Tours and Competition Renato Hickel explained the decision to postpone the opening heats.
“Though there are a few waves coming through this morning, the consistency and size are less than what we had hoped for to get the season underway,” Hickel said. “We’ve been watching the sets all morning and there is not enough opportunity within a half-hour window to effectively run heats. The long range forecast is showing lots of opportunity, including over the Easter weekend, and we’re excited for the competition to begin in potentially great waves in the coming days.”
When the competition begins, the women’s draw features highly anticipated matchups. Two-time Bells Beach winner Sally Fitzgibbons will surf against CT Rookie Yolanda Hopkins. Fifteen-year-old Tya Zebrowski, the youngest surfer to win the Challenger Series and qualify for the CT, will make her debut against Alyssa Spencer. Multiple-time World Champions Carissa Moore and Stephanie Gilmore also return to the CT following two seasons away. Moore will surf against 2024 Rookie of the Year Sawyer Lindblad, while Gilmore faces Luana Silva.
In the men’s sudden-death Round One heats, Mateus Herdy and Liam O’Brien will match up. Australian Wildcard Dane Henry will take on CT Rookie Oscar Berry. Additionally, Rookie Luke Thompson will face Ramzi Boukhiam, who returns following a major knee injury sustained at Bells Beach last year. Finally, former event runner-up Callum Robson will meet local trials winner Xavier Huxtable.
