Pristine Conditions Greet Competitors on Day 2 of The 2025 Bioglan Bells Beach Longboard Classic

BELLS BEACH, Torquay, Victoria, Australia (Thursday, September 18, 2025) – Day 2 of the Bioglan Bells Beach Longboard Classic, Stop No. 2 of the World Surf League (WSL) 2025 Longboard Tour (LT)  has seen competitors in the men’s and women’s Elimination Round greeted with perfect conditions at Bells. It was another long day of competition with 16 heats completed in super clean three-to-four foot surf as the first surfers were eliminated from competition, and the Rounds of 16 were decided. 

Hawaiian Duo Charge Through Elimination Round 

Kaniela Stewart (HAW) made his intentions at Bells clear, and that was not to fall victim to the Elimination Round on Day 2. The super stylish natural footer posted an excellent heat total of 16.27, the highest of the event so far, to overcome Ignacio Pignataro (URY). Stewart rode the nose through the first critical section on both his excellent scoring waves, hanging ten, then stepping back to carve his way with power and style all the way to the shore to put Pignataro in a combination situation and take an easy win to progress into the Round of 16. 

“That was amazing, such a blessing,” Stewart said. “I was praying for some good waves before that heat, and Jesus delivered. I got my first wave on the Rincon section, and it was super long, then the second one was on the bowl, and that was big and powerful. I think the bowl is so fun. I was surfing on a pin tail today, and it seemed to hold in the pocket but also let me ride on the nose.”  

Similar to Stewart, 2023 WSL Longboard World Champion Kai Sallas (HAW) was an unexpected name to see in the Elimination Round, having claimed victory at this very event in 2023. Sallas found it hard to find scoring opportunities in his Opening Round heat and wanted to make sure he was on the best waves when he took on local hopeful Ben Considine (AUS) in his appearance today. Sallas posted a mid-range score early but sat with priority for what seemed like an eternity, eventually turning on a set at Rincon and getting to work, linking fast, powerful rail turns with super critical and stylish nose-rides to win the heat with a two-wave total of 14.17, the second highest of the men’s Elimination Round. 

“I do these events so I can do my best surfing and surf the waves I have in front of me,” Sallas said. “I feel like yesterday I just kind of jinxed myself. It was windy, and I was using excuses, but today I was a lot more motivated. It was classic Rincon, glass with long linking waves, and I wish I could have surfed longer. My board is a new one, and it felt really good and perfect for those conditions.”

Reigning World Champion Bounces Back in Elimination Round

Reigning two-time WSL World Longboard Champion Rachael Tilly (USA) bounced back from the disappointment of ending up in the Elimination Round with an impressive win over Sakura Inoue (JPN) in Heat 1. Tilly’s experience showed as she shifted from Rincon to the Bowl mid-heat to gain better opportunities and eventually take the win as she looks to clinch her maiden win here at Bells. 

“That was a good heat,” Tilly said. “She threw me off right away when I went to Rincon, and she went to the Bowl,  and I kind of was thinking about my strategy, but fortunately, I got a wave at Rincon, then got one right after at the Bowl, and once I got my scores for both, I knew the Bowl was the place to be. I never change strategy mid-heat, so I’m glad it worked out.  It’s not often I find myself in the elimination round, so I was a bit stressed. I got here late, so I looked at today as a good opportunity to get some more time in the water. After that, I’m feeling much better heading into tomorrow.”

Next Gen Step Up to Book Round of 16 Spots at Bells 

Day 2 of competition at the Bioglan Bells Beach Longboard Classic saw a group of competitive longboarding’s next crop step up to book themselves spots in the Round of 16. Filipino competitor Jomarie Ebueza (PHL) overcame Longboard Tour veteran and Bells standout Ben Skinner (GRB) to join his countryman Rogelio Jr Esquievel (PHL) in the next round. 

Kiwi Jack Tyro (NZL) is competing in his first-ever WSL event and looked right at home, swooping and carving his way to a 12.03 two-wave total to take down Portugal’s António Dantas (POR). Tyro’s style and focus on traditional surfing were evident, and it looks like they could carry him deep into the draw here at Bells Beach. Tyro was a late call-up into the event to replace Jeffern Silva (BRA), who withdrew at the last minute. 

“Hearing the news this morning that I was getting in, I was really unsure how to feel,” Tyro said. “It was such a strange feeling, but I’m so glad I had the opportunity, and I’m stoked to be here. I’ve surfed Bells a bit, but this is some of the best surf I’ve seen since being here, so I’m stoked. It’s firing out there.” 

Cash Hoover (USA) caused a massive upset on Day 2 of the competition, eliminating a former Bells runner-up, Alice Lemoigne (FRA), in a super close matchup. Hoover, who earned her spot in the main event through winning the Trials on Monday, is building confidence and will now take on reigning two-time Bells winner and three-time World Longboard Champion Soleil Errico(USA) in the Round of 16 when competition resumes. 

“I’m so happy,” Hoover said. “This is the first-ever heat win I’ve had in a WSL event, and it’s my second event, so it’s a big moment for me, and I’m so happy I can’t even explain it. I’m not sure who I’ll surf against in the next round, but I’m really excited to surf again. The waves have been so fun, and I’m really excited to keep surfing here at Bells.” 

13-year-old Italian sensation Ginger Caimi (ITA) is surfing in her second WSL Longboard Tour event and looked right at home as she carved and hung ten all the way to a 10.50 point heat total and a win over Noosa’s Kirra Molnar (AUS). She will now shift her focus to Chloe Calmon (BRA) and the Round of 16. 

Oliver Packham (RSA) paddled out at Bells today on a board he shaped himself in one of his first-ever WSL event appearances to take down Nelson III Ahina (HAW) and progress into the Round of 16. Kevin Skvarna (USA) is another younger competitor who stepped up on Day 2. Although Skvarna is a longtime competitor on the WSL Longboard Tour, he is yet to bank a major event win, but his performance today would suggest he’s heading in the right direction for a solid result here at Bells.

Watch highlights from Day 2 of the Bioglan Bells Beach Longboard Classic at WorldSurfLeague.com. 

Bioglan Bells Beach Longboard Classic Men’s Elimination Round Results: 
HEAT 1: Gavin Idone (USA) 10.83 DEF. John Michael Van Hohenstein (HAW) 10.56
HEAT 2: Cole Robbins (USA) 13.10 DEF. Tony Silvagni (USA) 8.60
HEAT 3: Kai Sallas (HAW) 14.17 DEF. Ben Considine (AUS) 10.03
HEAT 4: Kevin Skvarna (USA) 12.57 DEF. Sam Christianson (RSA) 11.83
HEAT 5: Kaniela Stewart (HAW) 16.27 DEF. Ignacio Pignataro (URY) 9.84
HEAT 6: Oliver Packham (RSA) 9.04 DEF. Nelson III Ahina (HAW) 8.54
HEAT 7: Jomarie Ebueza (PHL) 12.33 DEF. Ben Skinner (GBR) 11.83
HEAT 8: Jack Tyro (NZL) 12.03 DEF. António Dantas (POR) 8.57

Bioglan Bells Beach Longboard Classic Women’s Elimination Round Results: 
HEAT 1: Rachael Tilly (USA) 12.27 DEF. Sakura Inoue (JPN) 11.63
HEAT 2: Natalia Wunderlich (HAW) 11.00 DEF. Ophelie Ah-Kouen (FRA) 7.60
HEAT 3: Cash Hoover (USA) 11.00 DEF. Alice Lemoigne (FRA) 10.84
HEAT 4: Ginger Caimi (ITA) 10.50 DEF. Kirra Molnar (AUS) 8.56
HEAT 5: Beatrice Conroy (AUS) 13.50 DEF. Natsumi Taoka (JPN) 11.00
HEAT 6: Mason Schremmer (USA) 10.84 DEF. Luana Soares (BRA) 8.40
HEAT 7: Emily Lethbridge (AUS) 11.50 DEF. Malia Ilagan (USA) 10.84
HEAT 8: Sive Jarrard (ASM) 12.33 DEF. Kaede Inoue (JPN) 12.17

Bioglan Bells Beach Longboard Classic Men’s Round of 16 Matchups: 
HEAT 1: Rogelio Jr Esquievel (PHL) vs. Clinton Guest (AUS)
HEAT 2: Cole Robbins (USA) vs. Max Weston (AUS)
HEAT 3: Kai Ellice-Flint (AUS) vs. Jack Tyro (NZL)
HEAT 4: Declan Wyton (AUS) vs. Oliver Packham (RSA)
HEAT 5: Taylor Jensen (USA) vs. Gavin Idone (USA)
HEAT 6: Kevin Skvarna (USA) vs. Taka Inoue (JPN)
HEAT 7: Kai Sallas (HAW) vs. Jomarie Ebueza (PHL)
HEAT 8: Kaniela Stewart (HAW) vs. Edouard Delpero (FRA)

Bioglan Bells Beach Longboard Classic Women’s Round of 16 Matchups: 
HEAT 1: Rachael Tilly (USA) vs. Beatrice Conroy (AUS)
HEAT 2: Natalia Wunderlich (HAW) vs. Hiroka Yoshikawa (JPN)
HEAT 3: Avalon Gall (USA) vs. Emily Lethbridge (AUS)
HEAT 4: Honolua Blomfield (HAW) vs. Mason Schremmer (USA)
HEAT 5: Soleil Errico (USA) vs. Cash Hoover (USA)
HEAT 6: Chloe Calmon (BRA) vs. Ginger Caimi (ITA)
HEAT 7: Kelis Kaleopaa (HAW) vs. Sive Jarrard (ASM)
HEAT 8: Sophia Culhane (HAW) vs. Tully White (AUS)

Watch LIVE
The 2025 Bioglan Bells Beach Longboard Classic is Stop No. 2 of the 2025 Longboard Tour. The competition window runs through Sunday, September 21, 2025 and will be broadcast LIVE on WorldSurfLeague.com and the free WSL app. Check out more ways to watch from the WSL’s broadcast partners.