Competition Called ON for the Day at Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach

Elimination Rounds Sunday, April 9, about 8 a.m. AEST for a 7:35 a.m start (~ midday Saturday for Hawaii) Surfs solid 4-6’+ but side onshore bumpiness.

Results below: Men’s Elimination Round Starts at 7:35 a.m. AEST

Results below: Women’s Elimination Round and Men’s Round of 32 to Follow

Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Men’s Elimination Round Matchups:
HEAT 1: Callum Robson 3rd eliminated (AUS) vs. Liam O’Brien 1st (AUS) vs. Ezekiel Lau 2nd (HAW)
HEAT 2: Rio Waida 3rd eliminated (INA) vs. Barron Mamiya 1st (HAW) vs. 2nd Maxime Huscenot (FRA)
HEAT 3: Connor O’Leary 2nd (AUS) vs. Kelly Slater 1st (USA) vs. 3rd out, Carlos Munoz (CRC)
HEAT 4: Matthew McGillivray 1st (RSA) vs. Ian Gentil 2nd (HAW) vs. Jake Marshall 3rd out, (USA)

Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Women’s Elimination Round Matchups:
HEAT 1: Caitlin Simmers 1st (USA) vs. Brisa Hennessy 3rd eliminated (CRC) vs. Kobie Enright 2nd (AUS)
HEAT 2: Tatiana Weston-Webb 2nd (BRA) vs. Tyler Wright 1st (AUS) vs. Johanne Defay 3rd eliminated (FRA)

Watch LIVE at WorldSurfLeague.com

Pictured: Johanne Defay (FRA) will hope to survive the Elimination Round and progress into the Round of 16 in her return to competition at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach presented by Bonsoy. Credit: © WSL / Sloane

BELLS BEACH, Victoria, Australia (Sunday, April 9, 2023) – The men’s and women’s Elimination Rounds have been called ON at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, Presented by Bonsoy, Stop No. 4 on the World Surf League (WSL) 2023 Championship Tour (CT). Competitors will battle it out in three-to-five foot cross-onshore surf at the Bells Bowl today. Men’s Elimination Round 2 will start at 7:35 a.m. AEST. Women’s Elimination Round 2 and men’s Round of 32 will follow.

The opening heat of the day will see 2022 event runner-up Callum Robson (AUS) take on powerhouse surfer Ezekiel Lau (HAW) and Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach first-timer Liam O’Brien (AUS). Lau and O’Brien are hungry for a solid finish here at Bells after having early round exits in the last two events.Heat 2 of the women’s Elimination Round will see a matchup of three perennial World Title threats, Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA), Tyler Wright (AUS), and Johanne Defay (FRA). All are hoping to avoid an equal 17th-place finish at Bells Beach.

EARLIER UPDATE BELOW

Pictured: Brisa Hennessy (CRC) will hit the water in Heat 1 of the women’s Elimination Round when competition resumes at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach presented by Bonsoy. Credit: © WSL / Ryder

BELLS BEACH, Victoria, Australia (Saturday, April 8, 2023) – Competition has been called OFF for a second-consecutive day at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, Presented by Bonsoy, Stop No. 4 on the World Surf League (WSL) 2023 Championship Tour (CT), due to continued small surf and poor winds. A more significant swell is expected to show tomorrow, and the winds are forecast to improve in the coming days.

“As expected, the poor conditions have continued today at Bells Beach,” said WSL Chief of Sport, Jessi Miley-Dyer. “Fortunately, on the forecast, this is the smallest day of the window, and although the winds won’t be ideal for a couple of days, there is plenty of swell on the horizon. From here on, we should have more to work with and will get competition underway in the coming days.”

When competition resumes, CT Rookie and current World No. 2 Caitlin Simmers (USA) will be fighting to overcome Final 5 competitor Brisa Hennessy (CRC), and event wildcard Kobie Enright (AUS) in Heat 1 of the women’s Elimination Round. Simmers is fresh off her win at the MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal and hopes to continue her winning form here at Bells Beach.

Championship Tour newcomers Rio Waida (INA), Barron Mamiya (HAW), and Maxime Huscenot (FRA) will go head-to-head in Heat 2 of the men’s Elimination Round. This will be a critical match for Mamiya and Huscenot as they currently sit below the Mid-season Cut line.

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Learn more at CTFantasy.WorldSurfLeague.com.

Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Men’s Elimination Round Matchups:
HEAT 1: Callum Robson (AUS) vs. Liam O’Brien (AUS) vs. Ezekiel Lau (HAW)
HEAT 2: Rio Waida (INA) vs. Barron Mamiya (HAW) vs. Maxime Huscenot (FRA)
HEAT 3: Connor O’Leary (AUS) vs. Kelly Slater (USA) vs. Carlos Munoz (CRC)
HEAT 4: Matthew McGillivray (RSA) vs. Ian Gentil (HAW) vs. Jake Marshall (USA)

Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Women’s Elimination Round Matchups:
HEAT 1: Caitlin Simmers (USA) vs. Brisa Hennessy (CRC) vs. Kobie Enright (AUS)
HEAT 2: Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) vs. Tyler Wright (AUS) vs. Johanne Defay (FRA)

EARLIER UPDATES BELOW
On Thursday Competition was Called OFF For The Day at Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach
Small Surf and On-shore Winds Force Lay Day
Promising Forecast for Later in the Waiting Period

Pictured: Ezekiel Lau (HAW) will be looking for a big result at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Presented by Bonsoy to stay on Tour, but first, he must progress through the Elimination Round when competition resumes. Credit: © WSL / Ryder

BELLS BEACH, Victoria, Australia (Friday, April 7, 2023) – A lay day has been called at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, Presented by Bonsoy, Stop No. 4 on the World Surf League (WSL) 2023 Championship Tour (CT). After an epic day of competition yesterday, small surf and onshore winds have arrived at Bells Beach, leaving conditions less than ideal for the Elimination Rounds to run.

“Unfortunately, after we had such an incredible end to the day yesterday, the swell has dropped, and we’ve got fairly strong onshore winds,” said WSL Chief of Sport Jessi Miley-Dyer. “The good news is that because we ran such a big day yesterday, we are in a good position to pick the best conditions for the remainder of the window, and the forecast suggests we should have good waves for the end of the event.”

When competition resumes, the men’s Elimination Round will see critical Mid-season Cut situations play out. Big names such as 11X World Champion Kelly Slater (USA), Barron Mamiya (HAW), Maxime Huscenot (FRA), Carlos Munoz (CRC), and Connor O’Leary (AUS) all need to make it into the Round of 32 and beyond to keep their spots on Tour.

The women’s Elimination Round Heat 2 is staked with Final 5 competitors Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) and Johanne Defay (FRA) set to take on reigning Bells winner Tyler Wright (AUS). Defay is returning to competition for the first time in 2023 here at Bells Beach after she sat out the first three events of the season due to an injury.

EARLIER UPDATE BELOW
Full Day of Big Scores Ignites 60th Rip Curl Pro Bells BeachCurrent World No. 1 Molly Picklum Makes the Mid-season Cut
Fitzgibbons, Igarashi, and Gilmore Put on Excellent Performances Under Pressure of Being Cut
Colapinto, Florence, and Marks Dominate Competition in Opening Round
Men’s Wildcards Owen Wright and Xavier Huxtable Thrive
Front page: BELLS BEACH, VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA – APRIL 6: Two-time WSL Champion John John Florence in Heat 12 of the Opening Round at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Victoria, Australia. (Photo by Ed Sloane/World Surf League)

Pictured: Reinging 8-Time WSL Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) found form today at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Presented by Bonsoy, posting the highest single-wave score of the Opening Round at Winki Pop. Credit: © WSL / Ryder

BELLS BEACH, Victoria, Australia (Thursday, April 6, 2023) – The Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, Presented by Bonsoy, Stop No. 4 on the World Surf League (WSL) 2023 Championship Tour (CT), commenced today with Winki Pop providing the world’s best surfers with rippable, three-to-four foot surf to open the prestigious event. The full day of competition saw the completion of the men’s and women’s Opening Rounds with lots of big scores posted.

The stress of the looming Mid-season Cut proved to push some competitors to find success while others fell to the pressure. Current World No. 1 Molly Picklum (AUS) became the first woman to make the Mid-season Cut with her Opening Round win. Tour veteran Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), eight-time World Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), and Final 5 competitor Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) thrived, winning their Opening Round matchups in excellent form, while 11-time World Champion Kelly Slater (USA) and Brisa Hennessy (CRC) were sent to the Elimination Round.

Current World No. 1 Molly Picklum Makes the Mid-season Cut

Current World No. 1, Molly Picklum (AUS) secured herself a spot in the second half of the season by winning her Opening Round heat against Macy Callaghan (AUS) and Johanne Defay (FRA). Callaghan started the match strong, earning a 7.17 (out of possible 10) with a critical finishing maneuver. But, Picklum quickly answered back with several explosive turns to earn an excellent 8.00. As time wound down, Tour veteran Defay struggled to find a rhythm and was sent to the Elimination Round. In just her sophomore year on Tour, Picklum is getting closer to a shot at her maiden World Title.

“There’s always first-heat nerves, but Winki was providing, and it was just a matter of completing your rides to get the big scores and I’m super happy to open with an excellent score,” said Picklum. “It’s unfortunate to get cut, I’ve been there and I don’t want to do it again so I’m super happy to have made the cut. Final 5, let’s do this!”

Five-time World Champion Carissa Moore (HAW) is currently sitting right below Picklum on the rankings and is eager to get the yellow Leader jersey back. She notched an important heat win in her Opening Round matchup against Lakey Peterson (USA) and event wildcard Kobie Enright (AUS).

Colapinto, Florence, and Marks Dominate Competition in Opening Round California’s Griffin Colapinto (USA) looked right at home on the long rights of Winki Pop, posting a near-excellent two-wave total of 15.66 (out of a possible 20) in Heat 2 of the Opening Round. Colapinto’s scoreline included an 8.33 for a massive full-rotation air reverse. His performance was too much for his opponents Maxime Husenot (FRA) and Seth Moniz (HAW), to overcome. Currently sitting at fifth on the world rankings, Colapinto is eyeing a spot in the Rip Curl WSL Finals and a shot at a maiden World Title later this year.

“That was super fun, the waves were really similar to some spots at home in California, so I felt right at home,” Colapinto said. “There was a light sea breeze which helped with the airs, and I’m stoked to make it through with my friend Seth (Moniz). Obviously, the main focus this week is to win the event, but I’m also enjoying time with my friends and having fun. I’m really enjoying all aspects of my time on Tour this year, competition and downtime. I’m just making the most of all of it.”

The last heat of the men’s Opening Round was one of the most action-packed of the day. An in-form John John Florence (HAW) controlled the heat, displacing buckets of water with his signature power turns. Fellow Hawaiian Barron Mamiya and injury replacement Morgan Cibilic (AUS) posted solid scores, but they weren’t enough to catch Florence. As time wound down, Florence posted the second-highest heat total of the men’s Opening Round, an excellent 16.26 (out of a possible 20).

Pictured: Caroline Marks (USA) found some serious form today at Winki Pop. Credit: © WSL / Sloane

Floridian powerhouse Caroline Marks (USA) stamped her authority on the field, posting a massive two-wave total of 15.83 for her trademark backside attack. Competing at Bells for the first time since 2019, Marks dominated her matchup with Isabella Nichols (AUS) and fellow goofy-footer Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA). Marks has finished equal third in her last two appearances at Bells and hopes to improve on that result this year. Nichols also progressed into the Round of 16 with an impressive performance at Winki Pop, while Weston-Webb was sent to the Elimination Round.

“It feels really nice to get such a good start at this event,” Marks said. I’m really happy to be back at Bells Beach and just Australia in general. It’s been a few years since my last trip, so I’m grateful to be here. I have a really good relationship with this wave; some of my favourite surfers have won this event like Mark Occhilupo. I’m definitely drawing some inspiration from him.”

Men’s Wildcards Owen Wright and Xavier Huxtable Thrive

Aussie surfing legend Owen Wright got his last CT event off to a great start, claiming the heat win over reigning World Champion and Bells Winner Filipe Toledo (BRA) and 2023 CT Rookie Ian Gentil (HAW). Wright looked in good rhythm with the long walls of Winki, combining pure lines with fins-free finishes to narrowly edge out his competitors and progress into the Round of 32.

“That felt great to get a heat win straight off the bat,” Wright said. “I’ve had a bit of time out of the jersey but I felt like I just slipped back into competition mode nicely and felt confident, which was good. I’m just so happy to get a win early in my final event. I think in the past at this event I’ve fallen in the Quarterfinals or around there so I’m hoping to surf with less pressure on myself this year and see what I can do as a wildcard.

Another wildcard who was turning heads on Day 1 was Trials winner Xavier Huxtable (AUS) who progressed through his heat in second place behind rankings leader Jack Robinson (AUS). Robinson was unstoppable, throwing multiple airs to comfortably win the heat, leaving Torquay local Huxable to take second over 11-time World Champion Kelly Slater (USA). Slater will have to battle it out in the Elimination Round when competition resumes.

The next call will be made tomorrow morning at 7:15 a.m. AEST for a possible 7:35 a.m. AEST start.

Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Men’s Opening Round Results:
HEAT 1: Ethan Ewing (AUS) 14.50 DEF. Nat Young (USA) 11.43, Carlos Munoz (CRC) 8.54
HEAT 2: Griffin Colapinto (USA) 15.66 DEF. Seth Moniz (HAW) 11.03, Maxime Huscenot (FRA) 10.37
HEAT 3: Ryan Callinan (AUS) 13.27 DEF. Caio Ibelli (BRA) 10.94, Ezekiel Lau (HAW) 10.34
HEAT 4: Dylan Moffat (AUS) 12.33 DEF. Joao Chianca (BRA) 11.67, Matthew McGillivray (RSA) 10.84
HEAT 5: Owen Wright (AUS) 12.84 DEF. Filipe Toledo (BRA) 11.24, Ian Gentil (HAW) 10.36
HEAT 6: Jack Robinson (AUS) 12.56 DEF. Xavier Huxtable (AUS) 11.50, Kelly Slater (USA) 9.60
HEAT 7: Kolohe Andino (USA) 11.64 DEF. Italo Ferreira (BRA) 10.80, Connor O’Leary (AUS) 10.00
HEAT 8: Michael Rodrigues (BRA) 14.47 DEF. Jordy Smith (RSA) 12.47, Callum Robson (AUS) 11.93
HEAT 9: Jackson Baker (AUS) 13.00 DEF. Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) 11.37, Rio Waida (INA) 10.60
HEAT 10: Yago Dora (BRA) 13.83 DEF. Samuel Pupo (BRA) 13.67, Jake Marshall (USA) 10.00
HEAT 11: Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) 16.40 DEF. Gabriel Medina (BRA) 13.00, Liam O’Brien (AUS) 12.43
HEAT 12: John John Florence (HAW) 16.26 DEF. Morgan Cibilic (AUS) 12.17, Barron Mamiya (HAW) 12.10Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Women’s Opening Round Results:
HEAT 1: Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW) 13.07 DEF. Sophie McCulloch (AUS) 11.93, Caitlin Simmers (USA) 11.24
HEAT 2: Molly Picklum (AUS) 13.73 DEF. Macy Callaghan (AUS) 13.50, Johanne Defay (FRA) 13.16
HEAT 3: Carissa Moore (HAW) 14.33 DEF. Lakey Peterson (USA) 13.66, Kobie Enright (AUS) 12.57
HEAT 4: Caroline Marks (USA) 15.83 DEF. Isabella Nichols (AUS) 13.04, Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) 9.40
HEAT 5: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 16.57 DEF. Gabriela Bryan (HAW) 13.73, Tyler Wright (AUS) 12.17
HEAT 6: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 16.16 DEF. Courtney Conlogue (USA) 12.06, Brisa Hennessy (CRC) 11.50Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Men’s Elimination Round Matchups:
HEAT 1: Callum Robson (AUS) vs. Liam O’Brien (AUS) vs. Ezekiel Lau (HAW)
HEAT 2: Rio Waida (INA) vs. Barron Mamiya (HAW) vs. Maxime Huscenot (FRA)
HEAT 3: Connor O’Leary (AUS) vs. Kelly Slater (USA) vs. Carlos Munoz (CRC)
HEAT 4: Matthew McGillivray (RSA) vs. Ian Gentil (HAW) vs. Jake Marshall (USA)Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Women’s Elimination Round Matchups:
HEAT 1: Caitlin Simmers (USA) vs. Brisa Hennessy (CRC) vs. Kobie Enright (AUS)
HEAT 2: Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) vs. Tyler Wright (AUS) vs. Johanne Defay (FRA)More available at WorldSurfLeague.com.

EARLIER UPDATES BELOW

60th Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Starts Today with Opening Rounds at Winkipop

Bells is 20 hours ahead of Hawaii….Comp began ~12:30pm Wednesday in Hawaii, or Thursday at 830am in Victoria

Men’s Opening Round to Commenced 8:35 a.m. AEST at Winkipop (3-5′ fast sections with some bumpiness)
Women’s Opening Round to Follow
Watch LIVE at WorldSurfLeague.com

Pictured: Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach standout Ethan Ewing (AUS) will hit the water in the opening heat of the event at Winkipop. Credit: © WSL / Sloane

BELLS BEACH, Victoria, Australia (Thursday, April 6, 2023) – The men’s and women’s Opening Rounds have been called ON at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, Presented by Bonsoy, Stop No. 4 on the World Surf League (WSL) 2023 Championship Tour (CT).

Men’s Opening Round 1 will commence at 8:35 a.m. local time, followed by women’s Opening Round 1. The competition will run at Winkipop today, which is currently offering clean waves in the two-to-three-foot range.

“We are going to call competition on at Winkipop today,” said WSL Chief of Sport Jessi Miley-Dyer. “There isn’t quite enough swell at the moment on the Bells side, but Winki is offering up some really fun waves. We have called both the men’s and women’s Opening Rounds on and hope to complete both by day’s end. This swell is a short one for just today and maybe tomorrow morning, so we want to make the most of the opportunity before we face some challenging conditions over the next couple of days.”

The first heat of the event will feature Final 5 competitor Ethan Ewing (AUS) taking on Nat Young (USA) and Carlos Munoz (CRC) at Winkipop. Ewing and Young have both had successful results at Bells in the past. This will be Munoz’s maiden appearance at this prestigious event.

Heat 2 of the women’s Opening Round will see CT standout Johanne Defay (FRA) make her return to competition after she sat out the first three events of the season due to an injury. She will matchup with current world No. 1 Molly Picklum (AUS) and fellow Australian Macy Callaghan (AUS).

The last heat of the day will see reigning 8-time World Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) start her campaign for a solid result here at Bells in order to make the Mid-season Cut. She will face Tour veteran Courtney Conlogue (USA), who is also in danger of making the cut, and face final 5 competitor Brisa Hennessy (CRC).

Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Men’s Opening Round Matchups:
Heat 1: Ethan Ewing (AUS) vs. Nat Young (USA) vs. Carlos Munoz (CRC)
Heat 2: Griffin Colapinto (USA) vs. Seth Moniz (HAW) vs. Maxime Huscenot (FRA)
Heat 3: Caio Ibelli (BRA) vs. Ryan Callinan (AUS) vs. Ezekiel Lau (HAW)
Heat 4: Joao Chianca (BRA) vs. Matthew McGillivray (RSA) vs. Dylan Moffat (AUS)
Heat 5: Filipe Toledo (BRA) vs. Ian Gentil (HAW) vs. Owen Wright (AUS)
Heat 6: Jack Robinson (AUS) vs. Kelly Slater (USA) vs. Xavier Huxtable (AUS)
Heat 7: Italo Ferreira (BRA) vs. Connor O’Leary (AUS) vs. Kolohe Andino (USA)
Heat 8: Callum Robson (AUS) vs. Jordy Smith (RSA) vs. Michael Rodrigues (BRA)
Heat 9: Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) vs. Rio Waida (INA) vs. Jackson Baker (AUS)
Heat 10: Yago Dora (BRA) vs. Samuel Pupo (BRA) vs. Jake Marshall (USA)
Heat 11: Gabriel Medina (BRA) vs. Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) vs. Liam O’Brien (AUS)
Heat 12: John John Florence (HAW) vs. Morgan Cibilic (AUS) vs. Barron Mamiya (HAW)Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Women’s Opening Round Matchups:
Heat 1: Caitlin Simmers (USA) vs. Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW) vs. Sophie McCulloch (AUS)
Heat 2: Molly Picklum (AUS) vs. Macy Callaghan (AUS) vs. Johanne Defay (FRA)
Heat 3: Carissa Moore (HAW) vs. Lakey Peterson (USA) vs. Kobie Enright (AUS)
Heat 4: Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) vs. Caroline Marks (USA) vs. Isabella Nichols (AUS)
Heat 5: Tyler Wright (AUS) vs. Gabriela Bryan (HAW) vs. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS)
Heat 6: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) vs. Brisa Hennessy (CRC) vs. Courtney Conlogue (USA)More available at WorldSurfLeague.com.

EARLIER UPDATES BELOW

Competition was Called OFF for Second-consecutive Day at Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach

Bells is 20 hours ahead of us in Hawaii….The call should be made around 1215pm Wednesday in Hawaii, or Thursday at 815am in Victoria

Competitors Await First Run Day at Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach
Holding Period 4-14 with some bigger WSW swell toward the end of the period.
Morgan Cibilic Confirmed as Replacement for Miguel Pupo
WSL Rising Tides Pres. by Pura Vida Hosts Special Event Ahead of Bells
Next Call: 7:15 a.m. AEST for a Possible 7:35 a.m. AEST Start

Pictured: WSL Rising Tides Pres. by Pura Vida participants paddle out at Bells Beach for a surf session with CT stars and surfing icons ahead of the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach. Credit: © WSL / Sloane

BELLS BEACH, Victoria, Australia (Wednesday, April 5, 2023) – The Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, Presented by Bonsoy, Stop No. 4 on the World Surf League (WSL) 2023 Championship Tour (CT), has been called OFF for the second-consecutive day as small conditions continue to delay the start of competition at Bells Beach. The next call will be made tomorrow morning at 7:15 a.m. AEST for a possible 7:35 a.m. AEST start.

When competition gets underway, Hawaii’s powerhouse Gabriela Bryan (HAW) will have the tough task of taking on former Bells winners Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) and Tyler Wright (AUS) in Heat 5 of the women’s Opening Round.

Former event winner Jordy Smith (RSA) and last year’s runner-up Callum Robson (AUS) will be joined by Michael Rodrigues (BRA) in Heat 8 of the men’s Opening Round.

Pictured: Morgan Cibilic (AUS) will be the replacement for Miguel Pupo (BRA), who withdrew due to an ongoing injury, at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach. Credit: © WSL / Sloane

Morgan Cibilic Confirmed as Injury Replacement for Miguel Pupo

Due to an injury sustained in Portugal, Miguel Pupo (BRA) has withdrawn from the event and will be replaced by former CT competitor Morgan Cibilic (AUS). Cibilic will first take on Hawaiian duo John John Florence (HAW) and Barron Mamiya (HAW) in Heat 12 of the men’s Opening Round.

Pictured: WSL Rising Tides Pres. by Pura Vida participants gather for a surf session at Bells Beach ahead of the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach. Credit: © WSL / Sloane

WSL Rising Tides Pres. by Pura Vida Hosts Special Event Ahead of Bells

On April 3rd, WSL Rising Tides pres. by Pura Vida held their fourth event of the season ahead of the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach. The event was honored by World Champion Pauline Menczer (AUS) attending on the 30th anniversary of the day she won her first Bell. Australian World Champion Pam Burridge and WSL Commentator Rosy Hodge (AUS) joining Menczer at the event. In one of the largest turnouts this season, 25 girls from Surfing Victoria Boardriders Clubs paddled out at Bells for a surf session with CT stars, including Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), Brisa Hennessy (CRC), Macy Callaghan (AUS), and Courtney Conlogue (USA).

WSL Rising Tides is a cornerstone of the WSL’s values, providing young surfers access to the world’s best surfers and a platform to explore and learn from their heroes about pursuing their dreams in and out of the water. WSL Rising Tides will host activations at each of the 2023 CT stops, the Malibu Longboard Finals, and the US Open of Surfing.

Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Women’s Opening Round Matchups:
Heat 1: Caitlin Simmers (USA) vs. Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW) vs. Sophie McCulloch (AUS)
Heat 2: Molly Picklum (AUS) vs. Macy Callaghan (AUS) vs. Johanne Defay (FRA)
Heat 3: Carissa Moore (HAW) vs. Lakey Peterson (USA) vs. Kobie Enright (AUS)
Heat 4: Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) vs. Caroline Marks (USA) vs. Isabella Nichols (AUS)
Heat 5: Tyler Wright (AUS) vs. Gabriela Bryan (HAW) vs. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS)
Heat 6: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) vs. Brisa Hennessy (CRC) vs. Courtney Conlogue (USA)
Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Men’s Opening Round Matchups:
Heat 1: Ethan Ewing (AUS) vs. Nat Young (USA) vs. Carlos Munoz (CRC)
Heat 2: Griffin Colapinto (USA) vs. Seth Moniz (HAW) vs. Maxime Huscenot (FRA)
Heat 3: Caio Ibelli (BRA) vs. Ryan Callinan (AUS) vs. Ezekiel Lau (HAW)
Heat 4: Joao Chianca (BRA) vs. Matthew McGillivray (RSA) vs. Dylan Moffat (AUS)
Heat 5: Filipe Toledo (BRA) vs. Ian Gentil (HAW) vs. Owen Wright (AUS)
Heat 6: Jack Robinson (AUS) vs. Kelly Slater (USA) vs. Xavier Huxtable (AUS)
Heat 7: Italo Ferreira (BRA) vs. Connor O’Leary (AUS) vs. Kolohe Andino (USA)
Heat 8: Callum Robson (AUS) vs. Jordy Smith (RSA) vs. Michael Rodrigues (BRA)
Heat 9: Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) vs. Rio Waida (INA) vs. Jackson Baker (AUS)
Heat 10: Yago Dora (BRA) vs. Samuel Pupo (BRA) vs. Jake Marshall (USA)
Heat 11: Gabriel Medina (BRA) vs. Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) vs. Liam O’Brien (AUS)
Heat 12: John John Florence (HAW) vs. Morgan Cibilic (AUS) vs. Barron Mamiya (HAW)

EARLIER UPDATES BELOW

Competition Called OFF For Opening Day of Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach

Small Conditions Force Lay Day on Day 1 of Competition at Bells Beach
WSL One Ocean and Partners Working Together to Prevent Coastal Erosion at Jan Juc Beach
Next Call Will Be Determined Later Today

Pictured: Competitors, staff, and fans attend the Welcome to Country, which was led by Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation yesterday at Bells Beach ahead of the 60th Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Presented by Bonsoy. Credit: © WSL / Sloane

BELLS BEACH, Victoria, Australia (Tuesday, April 4, 2023) – The Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Presented by Bonsoy, Stop No. 4 on the World Surf League (WSL) 2023 Championship Tour (CT), has been called OFF for the day due to lack of swell in the water for competition to get underway. The WSL Tours and Competition team will determine the next call time later today. Check WorldSurfLeague.com for updates.

When competition commences, the first heat of the women’s Opening Round will see three rising stars of the Championship Tour, Caitlin Simmers (USA), Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW), and Sophie McCulloch (AUS), in what is sure to be an exciting exchange.

Matthew McGillivray (RSA) and Dylan Moffat (AUS) will have their work cut out for them in Heat 4 of the men’s Opening Round when they take on current world No. 2 Joao Chianca (BRA), who is fresh off a win at the recent MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal.

Pictured: WSL athletes and partners participate in the WSL One Ocean restoration workshop to help prevent coastal erosion ahead of the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach. Credit: Lynch

WSL One Ocean and Partners Working Together to Prevent Coastal Erosion at Jan Juc Beach

Ahead of the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, WSL One Ocean, formerly known as We Are One Ocean, joined Jan Juc Coast Action, Wadawurrung Traditional Owners, Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority, and Surf Coast Shire for a restoration workshop to prevent coastal erosion at jan jook (Jan Juc Beach), near Djarrak (Bells Beach). Coastal erosion is an issue not only affecting the southern Australian coastline but coastlines worldwide. During the workshop, participants removed introduced species, which will encourage indigenous species to be reintroduced to the foredune and incipient dune systems. The indigenous species will dissipate the energy of the ocean as it moves toward the high tide mark, allowing natural processes to occur, which will hopefully create banks for surfers.