Xavier Huxtable, Carly Shannahan And Morgan Cibilic Secure Their Wildcard Spots In The Rip Curl Pro 

Bells Beach, VIC/AUS (Tuesday 15th April, 2025): Xavier Huxtable, Carly Shannahan and Morgan Cibilic secure their wildcard spots in the 2025 Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach.

The trials for the main event wrapped up in spectacular fashion, as local talent battled for the coveted wildcard spots into the main draw of the World Championship Tour event. The competition was moved to the secondary location of Winkipop which provided punchy right hand waves on which the region’s best up-and-coming surfers could display their surfing.

Previous trials’ winner Tully Wylie (Jan Juc) came out swinging in the early rounds, dominating with his sharp backhand attack. In the semifinals, Xavier Huxtable (Jan Juc) brought high-octane power surfing, navigating the challenging conditions with precision and speed. Willis Droomer (Jan Juc) also earned his place in the final, putting on a progressive display together with multiple aerials that kept the judges on their toes.

In the final, Droomer stuck to his strengths, combining a powerful carve into a stylish forehand air reverse for a 6.67 point ride. Huxtable countered with a deep snap into a huge layback, earning a 7.17 point ride and briefly taking the lead. Droomer answered back with two clean air reverses on a single wave to take back the lead. Huxtable then paddled into a set wave at the top of the peak and unleashed a committed carve followed by another critical layback, sending spray flying and the crowd into a frenzy. The score dropped, an 8.17 point ride, enough to snatch the lead and the win. With a combined total of 15.34 points, Xavier Huxtable claimed the men’s wildcard into the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach main event.

“It feels amazing to win, I’ve had a good couple of months – just got second with the Torquay Boardriders Club at the ABB, qualified for the Challenger Series and now getting into the event makes it even better!” said Huxtable.

“It feels so special to be able to surf against the best and hopefully I’ll go well!”

Among the women, Eva Bassed (Sandy Point) stood out through the early rounds with her ability to read the lineup and pick off the best waves. Meanwhile, Carly Shannahan (Torquay) impressed the judges with her crisp forehand surfing and confidence under pressure.

In the final, Shannahan opened with a series of forehand snaps for a 5.17 point ride. She backed it up on a beautifully shaped wave that she tore into with a huge carve and then executed a critical snap to finish, scoring an excellent 8.00 point ride. Sarah Hickson (Rye) began mounting a comeback, locking in a 6.33 point ride and only needing a 6.68 as the clock wound down. With under a minute to go, Hickson found a wave under Shannahan’s priority and attacked it with two powerful top turns. The beach held its breath as the score dropped, a 6.50 point ride. With Hickson coming up just short it secured Shannahan’s win and her spot in the main draw.

“It feels amazing to take out the trials, I feel like it’s not even real, maybe I’ll wake up soon,” Shannahan laughed.

“It’s been such a good day! All my mates came down to watch every heat and heaps of people have been messaging for support so I’m so grateful for that, it’s just been an epic day with an epic result,” she continued.  

The Rip Curl wildcard final was a battle between innovation and finesse as Dane Henry and Morgan Cibilic went head-to-head. Henry had wowed the crowd in the semis with a massive full rotation air, scoring an 8.00 point ride which set the standard. Cibilic, on the other hand, scratched his way through his semi with a clutch buzzer beater, then brought that momentum into the final.

Opening strong with a lofty air reverse for a 6.50 point ride, Ciblic then separated himself down the bank and found a clean runner, smashing two major turns for a 7.43 point ride. Henry struggled to find scoring potential as the ocean went quiet. With time on his side, Cibilic defended his lead and secured the Rip Curl wildcard and a shot at ringing the Bell.

“It feels amazing to win, Rip Curl is home down here in Torquay and I’ve been coming down here for a while now,” said Cibilic.

“I’m actually over the moon about getting into the event. I’d love to make a fair few heats and would be stoked to be able to surf the Bells Bowl as well.”

The waiting period for The Rip Curl Pro, presented by Bonsoy, begins on Friday, 18th April and concludes on Monday, 28th April.

Trials results and scores can be found via www.surfingvic.com/live, and further information on the Rip Curl Pro can be found via www.surfingvic.com/rip-curl-pro

The Rip Curl Pro Trials is presented by Visit Victoria and supported by the World Surf League, Rip Curl and Surfing Victoria.

Finals Results:

Open Womens
1st – Carly Shanahan (Torquay), 13.17
2nd – Sara Hickson (Rye), 12.83
3rd – Eva Bassed (Sandy Point), 9.80
4th – Juliet Muscroft (Jan Juc), 4.90

Open Mens
1st – Xavier Huxtable (Jan Juc), 15.34
2nd – Willis Droomer (Jan Juc), 13.44
3rd – Tully Wylie (Jan Juc), 10.47
4th – Carl Wright (Phillip Island), 5.27

Rip Curl Mens
1st – Morgan Cibilic (Merewether, NSW), 13.93
2nd – Dane Henry (Fingal Head, NSW), 8.03