Stage Set For Finals Day at Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Presented by Bonsoy

BELLS BEACH, Victoria, Australia (Friday, April 10, 2026) – Women’s Semifinalists were decided on a short day of action at Stop No. 1 of the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT), the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Presented by Bonsoy. After a hold in the morning, the tide and swell allowed a short window for competition in shifty two-to-three-foot swell at Winkipop, seeing all four women’s Quarterfinals completed, along with the first men’s.

The Yellow Alert for Finals Day has been issued for tomorrow, April 11. The next call for competition to start will be at 6:45 a.m. AEST for a potential 7:05 a.m. start with the remaining heats of men’s Quarterfinals.

Bryan and Spencer Reach Maiden Bells Semifinals with Dominant Quarterfinal Performances

Competing in her fifth Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, Gabriela Bryan (HAW) pushed through to her first Semifinal in the event. The most powerful surfer on Tour, Bryan successfully transferred the huge turns that have provided so much success in larger waves onto the small conditions at Winkipop. Surfing just two waves, Bryan attacked the lip with aggression at every opportunity to post an excellent 8.00 (out of a possible 10), along with a 7.50, for a 15.50 (out of a possible 20) heat total that left last year’s event runner-up Luana Silva(BRA) in need of near perfection to defeat her.

“That was a super slow heat, but I just told myself if I’m not on the best waves, my opponent would be on the best waves,” Bryan said. “I spent a lot of time here before the comp. It looks so fun, and it is really fun when you figure it out, but it can literally do your head in because it looks so fun and your expectations are super high. So if you just lower them, and then simplify it, that’s what I’ve been doing, it seems to be working. I think we all want to ring that bell. I want to really bad, so that’s definitely my biggest goal. I’ve got two more heats to win to do that and that’s a lot of work still. So yeah, proud of my performance, not getting too excited, but I’m excited for Finals Day.”

Alyssa Spencer (USA) has continued to carry the momentum that saw her storm to victory in the Bioglan Newcastle SURFEST Challenger Series event and reclaim her place on Tour. The critical backhand attack of the Californian paid dividends for a third consecutive heat, this time earning her a heat total of 15.17, which included an excellent 8.00. Facing World No. 5 Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW) with few waves on offer, Spencer chose the ideal canvases to unleash multiple turns down the line and leave Johnson in need of two new scores when the buzzer sounded. Competing in her first-ever CT Quarterfinal, Spencer’s progression into the Semifinals furthered a career-best result for the 23-year-old.

“That was really fun, I just managed to be in the perfect rhythm with the ocean,” Spencer said. “I knew that getting the first wave, too, was going to be really important with how slow it was. I was happy to be able to win that battle and get that first wave. I love surfing Winkipop. I feel like backside it has the perfect little cup to it. When you get a wave like that, it’s just so much fun. I’m just really happy to be able to put heats together and surf smart and really show what I can do. This is the most fun job in the world, so I’m really trying to enjoy it and soak up every moment.”

Australian Finalist Guaranteed as Picklum and Nichols Advance at Bells Beach

The only two Australians remaining in the event, Molly Picklum (AUS) and Isabella Nichols (AUS), won their respective Quarterfinal heats to set up a Semifinal clash that guarantees one of the two will appear in their second Final at Bells Beach. Picklum, the reigning World Champion and 2023 event runner-up, posted a 7.83 in her defeat of CT veteran Lakey Peterson (USA) for a series of open face carves into a dramatic end section hit. Nichols, the defending event winner, delivered a late-heat 7.33 to steal the heat win from Caity Simmers (USA) in her second defeat of a World Champion in as many days.

“That was crazy, [Caity Simmers] has had my number out at Winkipop the last few years,” Nichols said. “I feel like I really got away with a lot in that heat. I’m just so stoked that there’s going to be an Aussie in the Final. It’s going to be a sick battle [with Molly Picklum]. I’ve had a heat out at Winki with Pickles, I think it was like three years ago, and she pipped me. She’s the reigning world champ for a reason. She’s absolutely on fire. I’m just excited. I’m in a really good headspace. I’m going to go home, have an early night, early dinner and be ready for hopefully back-to-back heats tomorrow.”

Miguel Pupo Clinches First Men’s Semifinal Spot Ahead of Finals Day 

A dream run through the event has seen veteran competitor Miguel Pupo(BRA) move into his first Semifinal in Australia since 2015. Pupo defeated Hawaiian Barron Mamiya (HAW) in a tricky heat that saw the Brazilian staying active, eventually finding a 7.00 in the shifting conditions at Winkipop. 

“It took me a few years to make a heat down here at Winki and I finally made two, so I’m pretty happy,” Pupo said. “I think the first event of the year is the hardest. Everyone’s so ready, so prepared. So am I. I’m happy to be in the semis and have a good board. I’ve been feeling good the whole week. Let’s do it. I was trying to keep busy because I knew the tide’s coming up and the waves were going to be slow. Luckily, I got the second wave at the side, which was really good, got a 7 on it, and after that, there were no waves. I’m pretty happy with the result already.”

Pupo’s younger brother Samuel Pupo (BRA) recently requalified for the CT and appears in the bottom half of the draw with the potential for the pair to meet in the Final. Samuel would first have to overcome three-time World Champion Gabriel Medina (BRA) in Quarterfinal 4, however.

Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Women’s Quarterfinal Results
HEAT 1: Alyssa Spencer (USA) 15.17 DEF. Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW) 10.27
HEAT 2: Gabriela Bryan (HAW) 15.50 DEF. Luana Silva (BRA) 7.67
HEAT 3: Molly Picklum (AUS) 11.33 DEF. Lakey Peterson (USA) 5.00
HEAT 4: Isabella Nichols (AUS) 13.33 DEF. Caitlin Simmers (USA) 12.43

Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Men’s Quarterfinal Results
HEAT 1: Miguel Pupo (BRA) 12.50 DEF. Barron Mamiya (HAW) 11.10

Remaining Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Men’s Quarterfinal Matchups
HEAT 2: Griffin Colapinto (USA) vs. Kanoa Igarashi (JPN)
HEAT 3: Yago Dora (BRA) vs. Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA)
HEAT 4: Gabriel Medina (BRA) vs. Samuel Pupo (BRA)

Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Women’s Semifinal Matchups
HEAT 1: Alyssa Spencer (USA) vs. Gabriela Bryan (HAW)
HEAT 2: Molly Picklum (AUS) vs. Isabella Nichols (AUS)

The Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Presented by Bonsoy will run at Bells Beach from April 1 – 11, 2026. The competition will be broadcast LIVE on WorldSurfLeague.com and the free WSL app. Also, check out more ways to watch from the WSL’s broadcast partners.

The Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Presented by Bonsoy is proudly supported by Rip Curl, Visit Victoria, Surf Coast Shire, Bonsoy, WSL One Ocean, Red Bull, Apple, True Surf, Surfline, I-Sea, YETI, eero, Stone & Wood, Hydralyte, GWM, Fatboy Bikes, Bond University, mophie, Boost Mobile, Volley, Bioglan and RACV.

For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.