Women's Final: Carissa Moore Reigns Supreme

Carissa Moore (HAW) defeated Sawyer Lindblad (USA) in a high-scoring, high-stakes showdown.

• Moore, the five-time world champion and Olympic gold medalist, made history as a mother, claiming her 29th career CT victory and her first win since returning to competition.
• She dominated with powerful backhand carves and flow on the Raglan walls, posting excellent scores throughout.
• This was extra special for Moore — she won her very first CT event in New Zealand back in 2010, and now she’s back on the podium 16 years later with her family (including her baby) celebrating.

Lindblad pushed hard in her first final of the season and showed why she’s one of the brightest young talents on tour. Both surfers brought serious heat to the final.

Men's Final: Italo Ferreira Back on Top

Italo Ferreira (BRA) took down Morgan Cibilic (AUS) to claim the men’s title and jump to the top of the 2026 rankings.

• The fiery Brazilian and former world champion unleashed his signature aerial game and powerful forehand attacks on the point break.
• Italo’s explosive surfing was perfectly suited to Manu Bay’s long, rippable walls.
• Cibilic had a breakout run and made the final a thriller, but Italo’s experience and commitment in critical sections sealed the deal.

Key Moments from the Lead-Up to Finals

• Yago Dora dropped the first perfect 10 of the 2026 season in a buzzer-beater quarterfinal — jaw-dropping rail work and commitment.
• Carissa Moore posted one of the highest heat totals of the year (19.00) in the semis.
• Strong performances from locals and international stars made this a memorable debut for the CT in Aotearoa.

The wait was worth it. After some slower days and building anticipation, Day 4 delivered proper Manu Bay rippability as a solid swell filled in. The world's best made the most of the clean, rippable lefts, turning in season-salvaging rides, massive upsets, and classic rivalries.

Men's Highlights

The men's side saw fireworks, especially in high-stakes Round 3 (and possibly into Quarters) matchups.

• Filipe Toledo def. Gabriel Medina: The Brazilian rivalry added another epic chapter. Toledo took the win with a smooth 2+1 setup, outpointing the 3x World Champ in a heat full of high-performance surfing. Medina has been strong this season, but Toledo's forehand flow at Raglan proved too much.
• Yago Dora & Italo Ferreira: Both continued their strong 2026 title-contending form. Dora has been a standout, and Ferreira unleashed powerful forehand attacks on the point.
• Other notable action included strong showings from Aussies like Morgan Cibilic (who's been building momentum) and upsets keeping the draw dangerous.

The men's draw is looking stacked heading into the business end, with big names still in contention and rankings points on the line.

Women's Highlights

The women pushed hard toward the Semifinals, with some pivotal results shaking up the field.

• Alyssa Spencer & Sawyer Lindblad: The Southern California goofy-footers delivered key upsets, setting up an exciting Semifinal picture.
• Hawaiian Showdown Brewing: Bettylou Sakura Johnson and 5x World Champion Carissa Moore both turned in event-defining performances, teeing up a potential clash between two powerful Hawaiians.

Instead of waiting hours for the ocean to cooperate, the wave pool provided perfect waves on demand, allowing surfers to focus entirely on big punts and tech tricks.

The Venue: A Perfect Launchpad

Atlantic Park Surf gave fans a stadium-like view of the action. To make things even better, the event organizers worked with wave engineers to create a specific type of wave that acts like a ramp, launching surfers high into the air.

With jets from the nearby naval base flying overhead and a massive crowd on hand, the atmosphere felt more like an action sports festival than a traditional contest.

The Competitors and Divisions

With $60,000 in prize money on the line, 56 of the world's best free-surfers gathered to compete. The tournament was split into four main divisions to showcase different groups of talent:

• Pro Men: Featured top international names like Mikey Wright, Mason Ho, and Hughie Vaughan, alongside local Virginia Beach standouts Blayr Barton and Story Martinez.

• Vans Pro Women: Highlighted the top women pushing the limits of the sport.

• Vans Ladybirds (Girls 15 and under): Featured young prodigies, including two-time Olympic gold medalist Sky Brown.

• Bottle Rockets presented by YETI (Boys 15 and under): A division for the youngest male competitors.

How It Was Judged

The judging panel—which included surfing legend Nathan Fletcher—wasn't looking for basic, safe surfing. Instead, they rewarded competitors based on how high they flew, how difficult their tricks were, and how cleanly they landed.

While everyone wanted to win their specific division, the crowd was especially excited for the Monster Air award. This special prize went to the single person who executed the highest, most impressive jump of the entire weekend.

Official Results & History-Making Scores

The weekend concluded with an incredible performance by Australia's Hughie Vaughan, who made history by scoring the first-ever perfect 50 in Stab High history.

Here is the final breakdown of the division winners and top scores:

A Big Win for Virginia Beach

From teenagers attempting complex mid-air rotations to seasoned pros landing historic jumps right in front of the crowd, the event showed how wave pools are changing the sport of surfing. It allowed athletes to try difficult maneuvers they might never attempt in the unpredictable ocean.

If you missed the live action in Virginia Beach, you can watch the full replay on the Stab Premium App.

Men's Division Highlights: Yago Dora Goes Nuclear

Yago Dora stole the show on Day Two, posting the event-high heat total of 17.76 (8.93 + 8.83) against South African rookie Luke Thompson in Round 2. The reigning World Champion looked unstoppable, flowing through critical sections with power, aerials, and precision rail work perfectly suited to Raglan’s long lines.

Jack Robinson delivered one of the heats of the event in a thrilling battle against Kauli Vaast. Vaast dropped a massive 9.00 late when needing an 8.84, but Robinson answered with a 7.93 on the buzzer (needing 7.67) to win with a 16.10 total (8.17 + 7.93). 

Women's Division Highlights: Carissa Moore in Full Flight

Carissa Moore produced a masterclass, posting a standout 16.34 heat total (8.67 + 7.67) in her Round 2 heat. The five-time World Champion’s powerful backhand attack and flow on the Raglan lefts reminded everyone of her world-class pedigree and deep connection to New Zealand surfing.

Erin Brooks impressed again with a 14.20 total from earlier action, showcasing her strong forehand game. Veterans and rising stars battled it out across the women’s heats, rewarding smart wave selection and committed rail-to-rail surfing on the running walls. Sally Fitzgibbons and others also advanced through competitive heats.

Highest Waves & Standout Scores of Day Two

• Yago Dora — 17.76 (event-high heat total: 8.93 + 8.83)
• Carissa Moore — 16.34 (8.67 + 7.67) — highest women’s performance
• Jack Robinson — 16.10 (including clutch 7.93)
• Gabriel Medina — 15.20 heat total
• Notable single waves: Kauli Vaast’s 9.00, plus earlier high 8s from Filipe Toledo and others

The long walls at Manu Bay rewarded surfers who could link multiple powerful turns, maintain speed, and hit critical sections with commitment.

Atmosphere & Special Moments

The event continues to feel magical — packed crowds, Māori cultural elements, and perfect peeling lefts have made this a landmark addition to the Championship Tour. Surfers have praised the wave quality and the passionate local support.

What’s Next?

Round three Match ups our picks hightlighted:

Stay locked to the WSL for live updates.

The event window runs from May 15 to 25, marking a major milestone for New Zealand surfing. Local fans turned out in force to watch the world’s best tackle the rippable waves.

Women’s Round 1 Highlights

The women opened the day with strong performances in variable but improving conditions. Veterans showed their class while some newer faces made solid debuts.

• Carissa Moore stood out with the highest heat total of the women’s round, posting a 16.34 (including an excellent 8.67). The five-time world champion looked sharp on her backhand and reminded everyone of her world-title pedigree.
• Stephanie Gilmore advanced cleanly, continuing her strong form and eyeing more success in New Zealand.
• Other notable winners included Sally Fitzgibbons, Erin Brooks (impressive in her debut), and Tya Zebrowski. Several heats featured tight battles as the field adjusted to the point break.

Kiwi wildcard Alani Morse fought hard but was eliminated in her heat against strong international competition.

Men’s Round 1 and Elimination Round

The men followed with powerful displays suited to the left-handers. Brazilians featured prominently, and a few upsets kept things exciting.

Key performances:

• Gabriel Medina and Filipe Toledo delivered dominant rides, with Toledo posting one of the day’s biggest single-wave scores.
• Morgan Cibilic had a strong showing, advancing through both Round 1 and into further competition.
• Rio Waida pulled off a major upset with a 15.20 heat total, defeating recent Gold Coast runner-up Connor O’Leary.

Local wildcards Billy Stairmand and Tom Butland competed bravely but exited in the opening rounds against top-tier opposition.

The day wrapped with men’s elimination heats to set up the main draw for Round 2.

Overall Day One Wrap-Up

The first day at Raglan was a huge success. Clean left-hand waves, passionate local crowds, and elite surfing combined to create an unforgettable atmosphere. World champions reasserted themselves while hungry competitors and rookies added depth to the competition.

Action continues over the coming days with more heats as the field narrows. Stay tuned for updates as the event progresses toward the finals.

Semifinals

Semi 1

George Pittar def. Italo Ferreira

• Pittar continued his giant-killing run after eliminating world-class opposition throughout the event.

Semi 2

Gabriel Medina def. Samuel Pupo 

• Medina advanced into the final after another strong performance .

MEN’S FINAL

George Pittar def. Gabriel Medina

• Final Score: 15.17 – 12.46
• Pittar capitalised on a rare error from Medina
• Posted a decisive 9.00 (highest wave of the event) to take control
• Maintained priority control under pressure in the closing minutes
• Medina pushed late but couldn’t find the combination required

Lakey Peterson def. Luana Silva

12.23 >11.83

• Peterson claimed her second Margaret River Pro title
• Controlled final in improving conditions
• Silva continued breakout form but fell just short in the decider

Next Up is the GOLD COAST PRO the last stop on the Aussie Treble. 

After a week of waiting on swell, ANZAC Day delivered at the Western Australia Margaret River Pro 2026, with solid surf and the event finally pushing deep into finals day territory. With quarterfinals run and semifinals looming, the world’s best battled the burger that is main break. 

Conditions & Call

• Solid swell returned after a slow period, allowing competition to resume
• Quarterfinals kicked off early morning, with finals potentially on the cards same day
• Main Break delivered powerful, wind-affected but contestable surf

MEN’S EVENT – QUARTERFINALS RESULTS

A heavy Brazilian presence dominated, with only one Aussie making serious noise late. 

Quarterfinal Results

• Samuel Pupo (BRA) def. Joel Vaughan (AUS) – 14.00 to 13.06
• Gabriel Medina (BRA) def. Crosby Colapinto (USA) – 1.87 to 11.83
• Italo Ferreira (BRA) def. Ethan Ewing (AUS) – 12.00 to 8.33
• George Pittar ( AUS ) def. Yago Dora ( BRA )  13.07 to 13.00.  

SEMIS:

It's hard to look past Medina, but if the natural footers Pupo and Pittar snag a few clean open faces early before the wind affects conditions it could trouble for the two Brazilian Goofy's.

Pupo V Mendina 

Ferreria V Pittar.

WOMEN’S EVENT – ROAD TO SEMIS

The women’s field has been fire all event, and ANZAC Day set up blockbuster matchups.

Super tight heats on both sides of the womens draw, seeing the semis ready to go for Finals day.

All America SF 1 of Linblad v Peterson, and World champ Simmers v Silva.

With semifinals locked and finals within reach, the stage is set for a heavy finish at one of the most Powerful stops on tour.

### Day 2 at the 2026 Margaret River Pro: Gritty Battles in Messy Margs Conditions

Day 2 of the 2026 Margaret River Pro delivered a tough, unpredictable session at Main Break. Instead of clean, sunny walls, surfers faced messy, "dirty" conditions with wind-affected waves and the threat of approaching storms looming over Western Australia. The powerful but inconsistent swell tested adaptability, rewarding those who could find the best sections amid the chop.

A marathon effort saw the event push through to complete the **Men's Quarterfinals**, while the women advanced deeper into their early rounds. Established stars fired back under pressure, but the tricky conditions produced plenty of close calls and gritty performances.

#### Men's Highlights: From Round 2 to Quarterfinals

Men's competition was fierce. Standouts included:

- **Samuel Pupo** (BRA) continued his strong form, posting an 8.00 ride to defeat **Kanoa Igarashi** (JPN) and advance.
- **Crosby Colapinto** (USA) delivered a clutch performance to beat brother **Griffin Colapinto** (USA) in an emotional family matchup, earning his first Quarterfinal appearance of the 2026 season.
- **Ethan Ewing** (AUS) swung back into form with a solid win over World No. 1 **Miguel Pupo** (BRA).
- **Gabriel Medina** (BRA) powered through a heavyweight clash against local hope **Jack Robinson** (AUS).

Other notable Round 2 results carried momentum into the later stages:
- Samuel Pupo had earlier posted a high 15.50 total.
- Kanoa Igarashi scored 15.23 with an excellent ride.
- Close battles included Italo Ferreira narrowly edging Ramzi Boukhiam (13.47 to 13.33).
- Liam O’Brien, George Pittar, and others also advanced earlier in the day.

By the end of Day 2, the **Men's Quarterfinalists** had emerged after navigating the messy lineup. The quarterfinal heats set up exciting matchups for when competition resumes (next call: Wednesday, April 22).

#### Women's Highlights: Power Surfers Shine

The women also contended with the challenging conditions. Key moments included:

- **Reigning World Champion Molly Picklum** (AUS) brought the power on home soil, going excellent and defeating veteran **Sally Fitzgibbons** (AUS) 2-0 in a strong display.
- **Caroline Marks** (USA) marched through with a solid 6.50 score in her heat.
- The upper echelon of the women's field generally held strong, with rising talents and established names showing resilience in the dirty surf.

Women's Round 2 saw several tight contests, setting up further progression as the event heads toward the quarters.

#### Quarterfinal Matchups & What's Next

With Men's Quarterfinals now locked in, fans can look forward to high-stakes heats when the event resumes after the storm window. The women's side continues to build toward their own decisive rounds.

Conditions at Margaret River remain powerful but fickle — Main Break (and potentially The Box) will dictate the next phase. The event window runs through April 26, with competition on hold until at least Wednesday, April 22, as storms clear.

This gritty Day 2 proved that Margaret River rewards adaptability and mental toughness. World Champions and top contenders stepped up, while the messy surf weeded out those who couldn't adjust.

(Highlights, replays, and full results available on worldsurfleague.com. Photos and coverage via WSL.)

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The 2026 WSL Championship Tour Event 2, the Western Australia Margaret River Pro, began on April 16 at Surfers Point (Main Break) in solid long-period southwest groundswell with offshore winds creating clean, heavy walls. Day 1 saw strong progress in both men's and women's divisions under the 2026 format, with men's Round 1 and Round 2 completed (along with women's early rounds). Competition advanced up to Round 3 in key sections as the field narrowed quickly.

Highest Wave Score of the Day
Jack Thomas (AUS, wildcard) – 8.33
Yallingup local and WA Trials winner Jack Thomas delivered a standout backhand clinic in Men's Round 1. He posted an excellent **8.33** (backed by a 7.00) for a **15.33** heat total, defeating CT rookie Mateus Herdy (12.96) and advancing strongly. This was highlighted as one of the top single-wave scores of the opening day. Day 1 Highlights (Men's & Women's)
- **Local wildcards shine**: Jack Thomas turned the tables with sharp, committed backhand surfing using local knowledge. Margaret River's own **Jacob Willcox** proved wildcard-worthy again, posting a strong **7.83** (plus another solid score for a competitive total around 14.93) in his Round 1 heat against rookie Oscar Berry (who scored **12.40** but faced the home pressure).
- **Samuel Pupo goes big in Round 2**: Fresh off strong Bells Beach form, Brazilian Samuel Pupo posted a massive **15.50** heat total in Men's Round 2 (defeating Cole Houshmand's 11.60), putting the rest of the field on notice with high-line, powerful surfing.
- **Other notable men's scores**: Kanoa Igarashi ignited proceedings in Round 2 with an **8.50** wave in his heat total of **15.23** (defeating Ethan Hanneman 11.67).
- **Women's action**: Rookie Erin Brooks rattled veteran Stephanie Gilmore in a close Round 1 battle. Carissa Moore advanced strongly, and Sally Fitzgibbons fought back to win her heat. Bronte Macaulay (WA Trials winner) represented the locals in the women's field.

The refreshed format kept every heat high-stakes, with no elimination safety net.

Women's Round 1 and parts of Round 2 also progressed, with winners moving forward. The draw has tightened significantly. Full heat draw, live results, and remaining matchups (including Round 3) are available on the official WSL site. Next call is **tomorrow morning, April 17 at 6:50 AM AWST**.

Swell Outlook
Day 1 delivered 6-8ft+ long-period SW groundswell with offshore winds for powerful, clean conditions at Main Break.
**Looking ahead**: The current swell eases on April 17 (potentially smaller surf or variable winds), with a new Southern Ocean pulse building for the weekend (mixed 6-8ft sets possible under improving winds). A larger system may arrive mid-to-late event window, though winds could shift — classic dynamic Margaret River conditions that may include lay days. Monitor the WSL app or Surfline for updates.

Day 1 delivered local flair, big scores, and high-stakes action at the raw West Oz venue. The 2026 Margaret River Pro is off to a strong start — more heavy surfing expected!

The 2026 World Surf League Championship Tour kicked off in style at the iconic Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Presented by Bonsoy (April 1–11), with pumping conditions at Winkipop delivering high-drama surfing and history-making moments on Finals Day. Crowds packed the Victorian cliffs as two new Bell ringers were crowned in front of the famous staircase. Brazil’s Miguel Pupo and Hawaii’s Gabriela Bryan etched their names into surfing lore with powerful, committed performances in shifting winds and solid swell.

Here’s your full breakdown of the semifinals and finals action for both the men’s and women’s divisions, plus the updated top 10 leaderboard heading into the next stop on the CT — the Margaret River Pro.

### **Women’s Division: Bryan’s Power Overwhelms the Field**

The women’s side served up razor-close heats and dominant power surfing right to the end.

**Semifinals (at Winkipop):**
- **Heat 1**: Gabriela Bryan (HAW) 15.44 def. Alyssa Spencer (USA) 14.67
Bryan’s explosive forehand carves and vertical re-entries proved too much for Spencer’s consistent rail work in a high-scoring barnburner.
- **Heat 2**: Molly Picklum (AUS) 14.84 def. Isabella Nichols (AUS) 14.27
The reigning 2025 World Champion Picklum edged out last year’s Bells winner Nichols in a tight Australian showdown, showcasing her trademark backhand precision.

**Women’s Final**:
- **Gabriela Bryan (HAW) 14.83** def. **Molly Picklum (AUS) 8.33**
Bryan came out firing with a 7.83 opener (heavy carves on her forehand) and backed it with a seven-pointer, quickly putting Picklum in a combo situation. The Hawaiian phenom took a victory lap wave, miming ringing the iconic Bell trophy in celebration. It was her first Bells win and fifth career CT victory — a massive statement to start the 2026 season.

Bryan’s raw power and commitment in the tricky conditions were unmatched, while Picklum — despite carrying momentum all event — couldn’t find her usual rhythm in the final.

### **Men’s Division: All-Brazilian Goofy-Foot Final Delivers Fireworks**

The men’s draw was stacked with upsets early (including the exit of multiple former Bells winners), setting up a historic final.

**Semifinals (at Winkipop):**
- **Heat 1**: Miguel Pupo (BRA) 13.67 def. Griffin Colapinto (USA) 7.50
Pupo’s smooth, flowing goofy-foot lines and critical sections at Winkipop shut down Colapinto’s power game in relatively one-sided fashion.
- **Heat 2**: Yago Dora (BRA) 16.33 def. Gabriel Medina (BRA) 16.17
An absolute classic between two Brazilian World Champs! Dora stole the show with a ridiculous 9.50 buzzer-beater (three turns into a full-rotation backside indy air-reverse — the highest single wave of the event). Medina had posted the event’s highest two-wave total in the quarters (17.40), but Dora’s late heroics advanced him.

**Men’s Final**:
- **Miguel Pupo (BRA) 15.60** (8.10 + 7.50) def. **Yago Dora (BRA) 13.90** (7.73 + 6.17)
In the first-ever all-Brazilian Bells final — and the first all-goofy-footed final in 33 years — Pupo delivered under pressure. The veteran (and people’s champ) posted consistent high-scoring rides with his trademark rail-to-rail surfing, holding off Dora’s late charge. It marked Pupo’s second CT win in a 14-year career and came on an emotional day (his daughter’s birthday back home in Brazil).

Pupo’s 100% finals strike rate at Bells just got even sweeter.

### **Updated 2026 CT Leaderboard (After Stop 1 – Heading to Margaret River Pro)**

With only one event in the books, the yellow jerseys are officially on Bryan and Pupo. Here are the top 10 (points allocation: 1st = 10,000; 2nd = 7,800; 3rd/4th = 6,085; etc.):

**Men’s Top 5 (full top 10 follows a similar pattern based on finish):**
1. **Miguel Pupo (BRA)** – 10,000
2. **Yago Dora (BRA)** – 7,800
3. **Gabriel Medina (BRA)** – 6,085
4. **Griffin Colapinto (USA)** – 6,085
5. (Next tier: QF losers at 4,745, including Samuel Pupo, Leonardo Fioravanti,)

**Women’s Top 4 (top 10 similarly tiered):**
1. **Gabriela Bryan (HAW)** – 10,000
2. **Molly Picklum (AUS)** – 7,800
3. **Isabella Nichols (AUS)** – 6,085
4. **Alyssa Spencer (USA)** – 6,085

The GWM Aussie Treble race is also heating up, with Bryan and Pupo now leading into Margaret River.

What a way to kick off the 2026 season! Bells Beach once again proved why it’s one of the most prestigious stops on the CT. 

*All scores and results via official WSL data. Replay the action on WorldSurfLeague.com.*