Holland Leads Victorian Charge as Pardoe Impresses at Hurley Bells Beach Junior

Torquay, VIC / AUS (Wednesday, 23 September 2026): The next generation of surfing talent continued to make their mark at the Hurley Bells Beach Junior today, with Victorian Rose Holland and New Zealand’s Jaxon Pardoe among the standout performers as competition intensified at Bells Beach / Djarrak.

With the event forming part of the 2026 Surfing Australia Junior Series, the pressure was on as surfers battled through the quarterfinal stages and secured their places in tomorrow’s semifinals.

Holland shines at Bells

Holland (Dromana, VIC) delivered one of the performances of the day in the U16 Girls division, producing an impressive 18.20-point heat total to win her quarterfinal.

The Victorian built momentum throughout the heat, finishing more than six points clear of second-placed Amelia Johnston, with Sophie Day and Milly Waddell rounding out the field.

The result sends Holland through to tomorrow morning’s U16 Girls semifinal, where she will face Cobie O’Day, Lily White and Mila Grainger in the second semifinal.

For Holland, the performance continues an impressive campaign at a venue that provides a significant test for the country’s emerging junior talent.

“It was super fun out there. My strategy was just to have a bit of fun and hopefully find some bombs,” said Holland.

“It’s great to have a new comp here at Bells and the support of Hurley to make it happen. Everyone is ripping and the waves have been pumping!”

Pardoe impresses from across the ditch

New Zealand’s Jaxon Pardoe (Gisborne, NZ) was another of the day’s standout performers, producing the highest heat total of the opening U16 Boys round before backing it up with another heat victory in the quarterfinals.

Pardoe posted a commanding 15.17 in his opening heat to progress before returning to the water for his quarterfinal, where a 12.50-point total was enough to secure another win and a place in the final four.

The Gisborne-based surfer will return to Bells Beach tomorrow afternoon for his U16 Boys semifinal, where he will line up against Liam Thomson, Gus Holmes and Tully Gordon.

“This place is sick, it’s so beautiful over here,” said Pardoe. “The waves have been super fun and we have been surfing along the coast. It’s awesome.”

“I love how long and powerful the waves are around here. Most of the waves around home are beach breaks, so it’s epic to surf some waves like this.”

Strong Performances Across the Field

Pardoe and Holland were not the only surfers to produce eye-catching performances across a big day of competition. U16 Boys surfer Kai Coleman (Sunshine Coast, QLD) posted a 13.86-point quarterfinal heat to progress, while George Everist (Bittern, VIC) recorded a 13.70 to win his quarterfinal. Liam Thomson (Torquay, VIC) also impressed, recording a 13.67-point heat to advance to the semifinals.

In the U18 Boys division, Jesse Fergusson (Gold Coast, QLD) produced a 15.00-point quarterfinal total before backing it up with a 13.10-point semifinal win, securing his place in tomorrow’s final. Eden Alker (North Curl Curl, NSW) was another standout, posting a 15.50 in his quarterfinal, while Lachlan Arghyros (Lennox Head, NSW) matched that score in his quarterfinal before going on to record a 16.00-point total in his semifinal.

With the U16 Boys and Girls divisions now reduced to their final four, the Hurley Bells Beach Junior will reach its climax tomorrow, with the remaining surfers chasing valuable points as part of the national junior pathway.

Heats will get underway from 7.30am tomorrow, starting with the Under 18 Girls, before the remaining finals are run throughout the morning.

The 2026 Hurley Bells Beach Junior is supported by Hurley, Carve, Sea All Dolphin Swims, Vitality Brands, Cancer Council Sunscreen, Surf Better Now and Surfing Victoria.

2026 Hurley 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

For event information, heat draws and live schedule updates, visit Surfing Victoria.