Australia’s next generation of surfing stars will once again have the opportunity to compete at one of the world’s most iconic waves, with Surfing Victoria excited to announce the inaugural 2026 Bells Beach Junior, set to take place at Bells Beach / Djarrak on September 23-24, 2026.
The new event will be rated 5,500 points on the Surfing Australia Junior Series, making it one of the key junior events on the national calendar and a crucial opportunity for young athletes chasing valuable ranking points.
The two-day event will feature competition across four divisions:
- Under 18 Boys
- Under 18 Girls
- Under 16 Boys
- Under 16 Girls
Importantly, the Bells Beach Junior marks the return of nationally rated junior competition to Bells Beach / Djarrak for the first time since 2019, re-establishing the iconic Victorian venue as a proving ground for Australia’s future surfing champions.
For decades, Bells Beach / Djarrak has played host to some of the biggest names in world surfing, with countless champions having honed their competitive skills on the famous waves before progressing to the international stage.
Surfing Victoria CEO Adam Robertson said the introduction of the event provides a significant opportunity for emerging surfers from across Australia.
“Bells Beach is one of the most prestigious venues in world surfing and we’re thrilled to once again provide junior surfers with the opportunity to compete for national ranking points at this iconic location,” said Robertson.
“The Bells Beach Junior will not only attract many of the country’s best young surfers, but it also provides Victorian athletes with the chance to test themselves against the nation’s elite on one of surfing’s most celebrated stages.”
With valuable Surfing Australia Junior Series points on offer and a reputation-building result at Bells Beach / Djarrak up for grabs, the event is expected to attract a strong field of competitors from around Australia.
2026 Bells Beach Junior
Dates: September 23-24, 2026
Location: Bells Beach / Djarrak, Victoria
Rating: 5,500-point Surfing Australia Junior Series event
Divisions: Under 16 Boys, Under 16 Girls, Under 18 Boys, Under 18 Girls
Entries for the inaugural Bells Beach Junior will open Monday July 6th via the Surfing Victoria website with division opening times staggered.
For more information, visit the Surfing Victoria website.
The 2026 Bells Beach Junior is supported Vitality Brands, Cancer Council Sunscreen, Surf Better Now and Surfing Victoria.
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