Today, George Pittar (AUS) and Lakey Peterson (USA) won the Western Australia Margaret River Pro, Stop No. 2 of the 2026 World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT), in front of a huge Sunday crowd at Main Break. For Peterson, it was her second victory at this location, while it was Pittar’s maiden win at the elite level. After a long week of stormy, onshore conditions, the Finals were contested on the last day of the 11-day window under clear blue skies on a perfect, clean, three-to-four foot waves at Margaret River’s Main Break. 

This year’s Western Australia Margaret River Pro plays as the second event in the 2026 GWM Aussie Treble, which celebrates the best men's and women's performers across the three major events in Australia. With a runner-up finish today, Gabriel Medina (BRA) has moved into top spot on the rankings, joining Gabriela Bryan (HAW) on the women’s side. To claim the prize of a GWM Tank 300 at the end of the Gold Coast event, the pair will need another major result, with Bryan sitting on equal points as Lakey Peterson (USA), and less than 1,000 points separating Medina in first from Pittar and Miguel Pupo (BRA) in second and third, respectively.

Pittar Completes Stunning Giant-Slaying Run to Claim First CT Victory



The giant-slaying run of George Pittar (AUS) that began in his very first heat of the event continued all the way through to an inaugural CT victory for the 23-year-old from Sydney’s Northern Beaches. Opening with a win over two-time World Champion Filipe Toledo (BRA), Pittar took down every single men’s World Champion currently on Tour on his road to victory, including reigning World Champion Yago Dora (BRA) and 2019 World Champion Italo Ferreira (BRA), before his major victory over three-time World Champion Gabriel Medina (BRA) in the Final. Largely growing up in the island nation of Vanuatu, Pittar came from relative obscurity to qualify for the Challenger Series in his first major attempt, before quickly qualifying for the CT. Pittar put the Tour on notice with a Semifinal berth as a wildcard in Margaret River in 2024, before falling victim to the Mid-season Cut at the same location in his Rookie season in 2025. Now returning as an early front-runner in the rankings at World No. 2 following his first event win outside of junior competition, Pittar has placed himself firmly in the limelight.


"I played ['Walking on a Dream'] the other morning. That's what it's felt like this week, honestly," Pittar said. "I can't even believe it. Those matchups I had, this comp, every one of them just felt like there was no way. And then they gifted me waves every time I was having a heat. I had three in a row where I got a wave in the last minute. It's just crazy. Last year, I got cut here. Just before that Final, I went and sat where I sat last year when I fell off Tour, and I was like, wow, it's kind of crazy how different the feelings are right now. And then to go out in the final against [Gabriel] Medina, who's someone I've looked up to since I was a kid and such a crazy competitor, he's just a giant in my book. To have him in the Final and then to get a couple and win it, I don't have too many words. But just doing it in front of everyone here, I feel like everyone in W.A. has been so great to me ever since I started coming here and it's such a special place."


Pittar stayed patient to open the Final, with Medina posting two small scores before the Australian opened his account. The approach paid off, with Pittar holding the higher number of 6.17. A priority error from Medina was ultimately the turning point, as Pittar capitalized on the switch by immediately posting the highest single-wave score of the event, a 9.00 (out of a possible 10). Across his career so far, Pittar has proved to be in the upper echelon rail surfing in the world, a fact he made clear with a series of four sharp turns held as high and tight as possible in the wave. A stunned Medina continued attacking, but was unable to crack into the excellent range requirement that Pittar had placed on him.



"I'm shaking right now, man, that was a full dream coming up there," Pittar continued. "I can't believe I'm holding this flag right now. I had to [have the faith that I could win]. I can't think I'm just another number making up the rankings anymore. I want to be on here. I want to be a competitor. I want to be at the top. To hold this flag on a special weekend for everyone, like the Anzacs. Coming down here, listening to the trumpets yesterday morning, it was shivers. I was looking at those semis yesterday, and it was just all Brazilians and me, and I was like, gotta do it. It's so hard to win one of these comps. I can't believe I just did it."

Peterson Claims Seventh CT Victory With Second Margaret River Win



Lakey Peterson (USA) claimed her seventh CT event win at the Western Australia Margaret River Pro, adding a second victory at the venue to her 2019 win. One of the longest-standing CT members, Peterson defeated a trio of three younger goofy-footers, Erin Brooks (CAN), Caroline Marks (USA) and Sawyer Lindblad (USA), on her road to the Final. Today’s win marked the 31-year-old’s first repeat success at a venue after topping the podium at a wide variety of locations across her 13 seasons on Tour. Admittedly being scared of the lineup at Main Break in the early part of her career, Peterson has come to love the event as one of her top-performing Tour stops.


"I can't believe it, really. It just kind of happened this week, it all fell into place. When the ocean's working with you, it's a nice thing," Peterson said. "I work really hard, we all do, it's just nice when it pays off. I've been doing this a really long time, and it's cool to prove to myself, like, I can still do this. I can still win these events. There's a lot of chitter chatter about all the young girls, and they're amazing, and they push me so much, but I'm still here. I love it here. It's beautiful, it's gorgeous. The people are amazing. They show up every single time. To win twice out here is a dream. If you would have told me that when I was 10-years-old, there's no way I would have believed you. Any young girls or boys out there that have dreams, don't ever give up on them because things happen in life that you don't expect if you keep working hard."



Peterson utilised her years of experience competing at Main Break to select prime opportunities to strike. After defeating Lindblad, the 2024 event runner-up, in the Semifinals by attacking the right with her unique blend of power and flow, Peterson opened the Final on a left. With only a small score locking in, Peterson returned to her forte, building her scoreline with each wave surfed. In the meantime, Luana Silva (BRA) posted similar but smaller scores than the Californian. Close to the five-minute mark, Silva unleashed on the biggest wave of the Final to earn its highest number, a 6.83, and claim the lead. Needing a 6.01, Peterson soon replied with an aggressive two-turn combo, with the number arriving as a 6.40 to deliver the event win.



"It was hard out there. It's beautiful and there's good ones, but it's hard to find anything with a good wall," Peterson continued. "That's why you do it, though. Those are the moments. I knew she was going to get the score and I knew I was going to have under five minutes to get, to try again. All the glory to God, that was amazing, sent me the right wave at the right time. Huge shout out to Luana [Silva]. We train together all the time and she's made three Finals in the last year. I just told her that her win's coming. She's surfing so solid and she's such a cool person. I'm psyched though, that was so, so sick."

Medina Reclaims No. 1 Ranking With Yellow Jersey in Powerful Return to Tour



The return of Gabriel Medina (BRA) to the CT following a year away due to injury has seen the kick-off to his 13th season as one of his strongest yet. Prior to competition starting in 2026, the 32-year-old announced a number change on his jersey from 10 to 1, making his intentions clear. Following his 33rd CT Final, and for the first time since his last World Title victory in 2021, Medina is No. 1 in the world. The three-time World Champion will once again wear the Yellow Leaders Jersey when the Bonsoy Gold Coast Pro Presented by GWM begins on May 1.



"I just want to thank God for the opportunity; it's been amazing," Medina said. "I've been enjoying my ride. Last year was a tough one to stay away from surf competitions, and I'm finally back. I feel good to put a jersey and go out there and do my best. It's been so good here. I've been going to the wineries, been surfing around, just enjoying, having a good time. I was a little scared before Bells because I didn't know what I was going to do. I was so worried, but now I feel good. I'm happy with the Yellow Jersey. It's been a long time, I miss it. It was with one of my best friends, Miguel [Pupo], just before, so I'll take it, thanks, Mig. It's just a jersey, I feel like I have to work more. The year is just beginning, so let's do it."

Silva Continues Rapid Rise With Runner-Up Finish at Margaret River



Luana Silva (BRA) furthered her best start to a season yet with the third CT runner-up finish of her career. The 21-year-old has bettered her rankings across each of her three prior years on Tour, placing in the Top 10 for the first time in 2025. Since making her first CT Finals Day with a Quarterfinal finish at Sunset Beach in her Rookie season, Silva has continued to refine her powerful approach in heavy waves to now be considered amongst the best on Tour. The Brazilian has defeated all three of Australia’s World Champions currently on Tour across the two events so far in the 2026 season, proving herself to be a contender in this year’s World Title race.



"It's been an incredible start to the year," Silva said. "I couldn't thank Leandro [Dora] and Penguin [Henrique Pinguim], that I have by my side this year, enough. I wanted to go one more so bad, but if it wasn't me, it had to be Lakey [Peterson]. She shares Leandro with me. We work together, she's my sparring partner. It's a full circle moment. I used to watch Lakey's movie, 'Zero to 100' on Netflix, and Nike 'Leave a Message'. Her and Carissa [Moore]'s parts were my favorite in the movie. I'm really happy for her. I'm really stoked with my performance, and I'm really excited for this next year."

Western Australia Margaret River Pro Men’s Final Results


1. George Pittar (AUS) 15.17


2. Gabriel Medina (BRA) 12.46



Western Australia Margaret River Pro Women’s Final Results


1. Lakey Peterson (USA) 12.23


2. Luana Silva (BRA) 11.83



Western Australia Margaret River Pro Men’s Semifinal Results


HEAT 1: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 14.77 DEF. Samuel Pupo (BRA) 13.34


HEAT 2: George Pittar (AUS) 13.16 DEF. Italo Ferreira (BRA) 12.16



Western Australia Margaret River Pro Women’s Semifinal Results


HEAT 1: Lakey Peterson (USA) 12.50 DEF. Sawyer Lindblad (USA) 9.50


HEAT 2: Luana Silva (BRA) 14.27 DEF. Caitlin Simmers (USA) 13.66

Asher Pacey moves across a wave like it’s second nature — smoother than velvet and faster than a speeding bullet. His style isn’t about forcing power but letting the board flow, carving long, effortless lines that look almost weightless. There’s a calm precision to everything he does, from the way he sets a rail to how he glides through sections others would rush, turning even the heaviest surf into something that feels refined and fluid. Not that we’re jealous… show off.

Gabriela Bryan (HAW) and Miguel Pupo (BRA) won the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Presented by Bonsoy, Stop No. 1 of the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT). Bryan and Pupo have etched their names into surfing folklore, winning one of surfing’s most prestigious events, each for the first time. The pair were top performers all week in an assortment of conditions, with the event eventually culminating in semi-clean four-to-five foot swell at Winkipop, some of the best waves seen over the event period.

"This morning I woke up and I was like, I want to be in yellow next event," Pupo said. "I've never been in yellow before, I want to experience that. I want to live that shoe, with everyone, all the Brazilians. Those guys inspire me, like Yago (Dora) and Gabe (Gabriel Medina). I'm 34, so now I have to not look up, but look down at them, as an example of hard work and self-belief. Thanks to my coach (Adriano de Souza). He was the one that was believing in me the whole event. I want to thank my wife, my mom, dad. My wife's at home with four kids, so she's doing the hard work, and I'm here just having fun. Thank you."

“You got to win it to ring it, and I get to ring it, and I’m so excited,” Bryan said. “This event has so much history, and some of my favourite surfers have won it, so it’s surreal to get to lift that Bell myself now. I am here with my mum, and I’m staying with Riss (Carissa Moore). I've just been having the best time down here, and the vibes have been high. Now I get to head to Western Australia for another event that I love, so let’s hope I can keep this going.”

In the Final, Bryan came up against reigning World Champion Molly Picklum (AUS), who was on the hunt for her first win at Bells. Bryan got an early start, taking the best waves of the first two sets to earn an early advantage, while Picklum struggled to find the waves she was looking for. Bryan then found a decent-sized wave under priority and smashed a huge carve into a fins-free closeout hit to post a 14.83 two-wave total and put Picklum into a combination situation. Picklum was never able to find a score to get back in the game, leaving Bryan to win her fifth CT event with her fifth straight head-to-head defeat of the Australian. Bryan now puts her name on the Bell, joining the likes of fellow Hawaiians Carissa Moore (HAW), Megan Abubo (HAW), Jeff Hakman (HAW), Sunny Garcia (HAW), Margo Oberg (HAW), Andy Irons (HAW) and John John Florence (HAW) as a winner of the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach.

“Molly (Picklum) is an incredible surfer and person,” Bryan continued. “We hung out in Kaua‘i in the off-season, and she just pushes us all so much, so it was cool to share a Final with her, and I’m stoked to get the win. It's an insane feeling, but I can never do it alone. There's so many people that help me and are part of my team. The best part is that winning feels really good for me, but it also is really good for everyone that supports you. It's been good celebrating my birthday here, and now I get to ring the Bell. One of my main goals this year is to have fun and just show the world some Gabby surfing and that's what I'm going to try to do for the rest of the year.”

Day 4 of the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Presented by Bonsoy, Stop No. 1 of the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT), has seen the field narrowed after the completion of men’s Round Two and five heats of women’s Round Two. After competition started in low-tide waves on the Bells Bowl, the incoming tide saw a move to Winkipop, forcing surfers to shift their approach from big, arching turns in the pocket, to down the line speed and progression. Conditions stayed semi-clean all day with waves in the three-to-four-foot range as the draw inches closer to Finals Day at Bells Beach. 

Brazilian World Champions Headline Day 4 Action  



The third day of competition saw four Brazilian World Champions take to the lineup at Bells in just six heats, each claiming a heat win. CT returner Gabriel Medina (BRA) and reigning World Champion Yago Dora (BRA) hope to join their countrymen Italo Ferreira (BRA) and Filipe Toledo (BRA) on the honour roll at Bells by week’s end. Ferreira found redemption in his opening heat, overcoming Victoria Trials winner Xavier Huxtable (AUS) by just 0.10 of a point. Huxtable famously eliminated Ferreira in 2025, but will not be able to bring it home for the locals in 2026. Ferreira now moves into a head-to-head matchup against Medina in Round Three. The second heat of the day saw Dora overcome close friend and 2026 CT Rookie Mateus Herdy (BRA) in a bittersweet victory for the reigning World Champion. Dora looked in incredible touch with the Bells Bowl, posting a heat high 7.33 for a two-turn combination on his backhand. 


Two-time Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach winner Filipe Toledo (AUS) got his campaign for a third Bell off to the perfect start, overcoming CT returner Eli Hanneman (HAW) in Heat 12 of Round Two. Toledo is coming off one of his quieter seasons, only winning one event in 2026 from just three Finals Day appearances, and is looking to get 2026 off to a much stronger start, which was evident from his opening heat at Bells. Toledo posted a 14.00 point heat total that included a 7.50 for an impressive blow-tail reverse on the first section before wrapping it all the way to the end-section from a strong completion. Toledo moves into Round Three, where he will take on Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) in Heat 3.

“I’m really, really happy to get that first one out of the way,” Toledo said. “I thought we were going to show up here and have plenty of waves and surf right away and it was completely the opposite. At least it was good to surf and relax and get ready for today. I'm not going to lie that I wasn't nervous, but it's a good nervous. I’ve been doing this for too long now, it's my 12th year, and if I don't figure it out one day then I don't know what I'm doing. But yeah, I felt great. It was one of those that I did everything I had to do on the off-season to train. I took care of my body, took care of my mental, and I was just ready for it.”

Molly Picklum and Gabriela Bryan Set The Standard at Winkipop 



Molly Picklum (AUS) closed out 2025 with a commanding performance in Fiji to claim her maiden World Title and has now opened the 2026 season in the same fashion. Facing two-time Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach winner and three-time World Title runner-up Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), Picklum posted an event-high excellent 16.50 heat total. Huge two-turn combinations showcased the 23-year-old’s penchant for large, dramatic attacks to the lip, which included an 8.67, the highest single-wave score of the event so far.



"I've been able to come down nice and early and try and spread the commitments and all the good fun out a little further so it's not so heavy loaded just before the event," Picklum said. "We've had so much time. I'm ready and I have such good people around me. I've got really good energy down here, it's good. It's one thing having good preparation, but then to actually take it in the water and do it is another. I'm just continually focusing, making sure that I'm turning up and showing up every single moment for each heat. I really went out just going, 'I hope I get two turns.' I was happy when the scores got read out and I was hearing 7's and 8's."


A breakout year in 2025 saw Gabriela Bryan (HAW) claim three event wins to finish third in the world, and the Kaua‘i representative has picked up where she left off, posting the second highest two-wave total of the event so far in challenging conditions at Winkipop. Bryan’s wave selection was impeccable and allowed her to open up on multiple sections with her trademark powerful rail game on full display to post a total of 15.66. Bryan was unstoppable, forcing the elimination of 2026 CT Rookie Francisca Veselko (POR) who will now shift her focus to the upcoming Western Australia Margaret River Pro.



“That was a really good way to start the year,” Bryan said. “I was just so excited to surf. I mean, I've been here for a while. I came extra early, so I think I've been here for like two and a half weeks already. I've just been itching to get in the jersey, but not get too excited and just go out there and do my best surfing. I had this weird feeling that I was going to surf my first heat at Winki, so I've been putting in a bit of extra time down here. I think back to last year and I think I've grown so much as a competitor and as a person. We’re all itching to get the Title and without the Final Five format it's also really exciting. It's my first time having the full year and having the winner at Pipe. For me, just doing my best surfing is my main goal.”

Reigning Event Runners Up Eye Event Win in 2026



The opening heat of the day witnessed reigning Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach runner up Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) take another win on the Bowl over 2026 CT returner Morgan Cibilic (AUS). In a rematch from last year’s Semifinals, Igarashi and Cibilic went blow-for-blow, both matching speed with power in the wobbly conditions, but it was the heat IQ of Igarashi that saw the Olympic Silver Medalist on the better waves and earning the winning score. Igarashi’s second place at Bells was his equal best result of the year in 2025 and the Japanese representative has every intention of leaving Stop No. 1 with a big Bell in 2026. 



Last year at Bells Beach, Luana Silva (BRA) found her way to a maiden CT Final, eventually going down to Isabella Nichols (AUS) to finish in second place and secure her spot on Tour for the remainder of the season. Today, the 21 year-old Brazilian representative confirmed she is once again one to watch at this location, posting a 15.23 two-wave total to overcome two-time World Champion and two-time Bells winner Tyler Wright (AUS). Wright, who is returning from a long stint out of the water recovering from injury, looked in good form, but it was the speed of Silva’s searing frontside gouges that gave her the advantage and a spot in the Quarterfinals. Silva was at a loss for words after defeating both Wright and eight-time World Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) so far in the event.



"I've got no words for you, I just gotta laugh a little bit, that's crazy, 10 World Titles, wow," Silva said. "I'm trying not to think about it. I'm just trying to control what I can control and what comes in my way. I think I've probably faced the two hardest there is here at Bells. Tyler (Wright) won back-to-back and Steph (Gilmore) has won four. World Champions as well. They're my heroes. They're my idols that I've looked up to since I was a little girl. It's been surreal this year at Bells."

Title Hopefuls Bow Out Early at Bells Beach



Women’s Round Two commenced this afternoon and brought with it the event's top seeds, with current World No. 2 Caroline Marks (USA) hitting the water in Heat 1 in a matchup with CT returner Alyssa Spencer (USA). Spencer took control of the all goofy-foot heat early, posting two mid-range scores thanks to superior wave selection. Marks struggled to find a groove, but eventually found a couple of set waves of her own to put herself back in the conversation. It wasn’t enough in the end as the San Diego local found a one-two punch to close out the heat, belting a series of snaps with fully committed closeout turns on back-to-back waves to score a 6.67 and 7.33, respectively and win the heat with an impressive heat total of 14.00 points. Spencer will contest her first CT Quarterfinals as a full-time competitor when competition resumes, taking on Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW) in the opening heat. 



“I went out there with a solid plan and kept my mindset really calm and was able to execute what I wanted to,” Spencer said. “Seeing that heat coming up, I was really excited, honestly, to surf against Caroline (Marks). She's an amazing competitor and someone that I've been inspired by for a long time. I was really looking forward to that heat and I was happy that I was able to find a couple of good waves and really show myself that I can compete alongside of those girls that are in the top five. I feel like that helped me with my confidence. It was a really special heat to be able to share with her because we've been competing together for so long and to be able to have a heat with her on the big stage now is just really special.”

Another CT returner who looked comfortable upon their return today was Samuel Pupo (BRA), who took a commanding win over defending Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach winner Jack Robinson (AUS). Pupo looked fast and sharp as he picked the best waves of the heat to surf his way to a 13.77 two-wave total. Robinson looked to be building momentum until he made a costly mistake, earning an interference against Pupo and losing his second score, which put a win completely out of reach.

Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Men’s Round Two Results
HEAT 1: Miguel Pupo (BRA) 14.17 DEF. Joel Vaughan (AUS) 12.07
HEAT 2: George Pittar (AUS) 14.57 DEF. Ethan Ewing (AUS) 12.34

HEAT 3: Jordy Smith (RSA) 14.80 DEF. Luke Thompson (RSA) 12.33

HEAT 4: Barron Mamiya (HAW) 11.16 DEF. Seth Moniz (HAW) 9.93

HEAT 5: Jake Marshall (USA) 10.83 DEF. Joao Chianca (BRA) 10.64

HEAT 6: Griffin Colapinto (USA) 15.26 DEF. Dane Henry (AUS) 15.00

HEAT 7: Alejo Muniz (BRA) 11.56 DEF. Cole Houshmand (USA) 7.63

HEAT 8: Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) 12.23 DEF. Morgan Cibilic (AUS) 11.17

HEAT 9: Yago Dora (BRA) 13.34 DEF. Mateus Herdy (BRA) 10.66

HEAT 10: Marco Mignot (FRA) 11.83 DEF. Crosby Colapinto (USA) 10.53

HEAT 11: Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) 11.67 DEF. Kauli Vaast (FRA) 11.60

HEAT 12: Filipe Toledo (BRA) 14.00 DEF. Eli Hanneman (HAW) 10.10

HEAT 13: Italo Ferreira (BRA) 12.83 DEF. Xavier Huxtable (AUS) 12.73

HEAT 14: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 12.10 DEF. Alan Cleland (MEX) 3.67

HEAT 15: Rio Waida (INA) 13.96 DEF. Connor O'Leary (JPN) 11.97

HEAT 16: Samuel Pupo (BRA) 13.77 DEF. Jack Robinson (AUS) 5.67

Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Men’s Round Three Matchups

HEAT 1: Miguel Pupo (BRA) vs. George Pittar (AUS)

HEAT 2: Jordy Smith (RSA) vs. Barron Mamiya (HAW)

HEAT 3: Jake Marshall (USA) vs. Griffin Colapinto (USA)

HEAT 4: Alejo Muniz (BRA) vs. Kanoa Igarashi (JPN)

HEAT 5: Yago Dora (BRA) vs. Marco Mignot (FRA)

HEAT 6: Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) vs. Filipe Toledo (BRA)

HEAT 7: Italo Ferreira (BRA) vs. Gabriel Medina (BRA)

HEAT 8: Rio Waida (INA) vs. Samuel Pupo (BRA)



Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Women’s Round Two Results

HEAT 1: Alyssa Spencer (USA) 14.00 DEF. Caroline Marks (USA) 11.20

HEAT 2: Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW) 10.93 DEF. Anat Lelior (ISR) 6.76

HEAT 3: Gabriela Bryan (HAW) 15.66 DEF. Francisca Veselko (POR) 6.00

HEAT 4: Luana Silva (BRA) 15.26 DEF. Tyler Wright (AUS) 13.76

HEAT 5: Molly Picklum (AUS) 16.50 DEF. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 7.34



Remaining Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Women’s Round Two Matchups

HEAT 6: Erin Brooks (CAN) vs. Lakey Peterson (USA)

HEAT 7: Caitlin Simmers (USA) vs. Nadia Erostarbe (ESP)

HEAT 8: Isabella Nichols (AUS) vs. Carissa Moore (HAW)