Victoria’s Next Generation Set to Take Centre Stage at the WorkSafe Victorian Classic Bells Beach

TORQUAY, VIC / AUS (Thursday, 22nd October 2026): Some of Victoria’s most exciting surfing talent will descend on Bells Beach / Djarrak this month, with the WorkSafe Victorian Classic set to crown the state’s 2026 Open Men’s and Women’s Champions on October 24–25.

Hosted by Surfing Victoria and supported by WorkSafe Victoria, the two-day event will bring together a strong field of emerging and established Victorian surfers, with the $5,000 prize pool, Victorian State Titles and a place in the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Trials all on the line.

Among the surfers set to feature are some of the state’s leading young talents, including recent Bells Beach standout Rose Holland (Dromana), Willis Droomer (Jan Juc), Tully Wylie (Jan Juc), Bohdie Williams (Point Lonsdale), Harry de Roth (Phillip Island), Lillian Bassed (Sandy Point) and Sara Hickson (Mornington Peninsula).

Holland will arrive at Bells with plenty of confidence after producing one of the standout performances of the recent Hurley Bells Beach Junior, recording an impressive 18.20-point heat total in the U16 Girls quarterfinals. The Dromana surfer went on to finish as a finalist in the event, continuing a strong 2026 campaign on the Australian junior pathway.

For Holland and the other emerging surfers in the field, the WorkSafe Victorian Classic provides an opportunity to step up into Open competition and test themselves against some of Victoria’s most experienced surfers.

The event will also feature surfers with experience competing at the highest levels of the sport, including Wylie and Williams, who have both been part of Victoria’s high-performance pathway. Wylie has recently been competing on the WSL Qualifying Series, while Williams is a member of the Victorian Emerging Surfer Program and has competed internationally on the QS.

WorkSafe CEO Cathy Henderson said the regulator’s continued support of the event reflects a shared commitment to safety, wellbeing and positive participation in sport and recreation.

“We’re proud to support an event that brings people together, promotes active and healthy lifestyles, and celebrates Victoria’s vibrant surfing community,” Ms Henderson said.

“At the heart of everything we do at WorkSafe is making sure workers come home safely so they can keep enjoying the sports, activities and communities they love.”

With Bells Beach / Djarrak providing the backdrop, the WorkSafe Victorian Classic will be an important test for the next generation of Victorian surfers looking to establish themselves at Open level.

Surfing Victoria CEO Adam Robertson said the depth of emerging talent across the state makes this year’s event particularly exciting.

“Victoria has a really exciting group of surfers coming through at the moment, and the WorkSafe Victorian Classic is a great opportunity for them to test themselves in Open competition at Bells,” Robertson said.

“We’ve seen Rose have some great results recently, and there are a number of surfers in both the men’s and women’s divisions who are capable of producing some really high-quality surfing.

“For these athletes, a State Title at Bells is something they can put on their resume for the rest of their careers, and the opportunity to surf for a place in the Rip Curl Pro Trials adds another level of motivation.”

A Weekend for the Whole Family

While the surfing will be the main attraction, spectators can expect more than just competition in the water when the WorkSafe Victorian Classic returns to Bells.

Food trucks and coffee vendors will be onsite throughout the weekend, providing plenty of options for spectators to grab a morning coffee, breakfast or lunch while watching the action unfold.

With free spectator access and two full days of competition, the event is expected to bring together competitors, families, local surfers and the broader Victorian surfing community at Bells Beach / Djarrak.

The combination of high-level surfing, one of Australia’s most iconic surf locations and a relaxed weekend atmosphere will make the WorkSafe Victorian Classic an opportunity for the wider community to experience Victorian surfing at its best.

The competition will run across Saturday and Sunday, with the Victorian State Champions to be crowned at the conclusion of the event.

The WorkSafe Victorian Classic is an important part of the Victorian surfing pathway, providing athletes with the opportunity to compete for a State Title, valuable prize money and progression opportunities, while also celebrating the depth and diversity of Victoria’s surfing community.

WorkSafe Victoria’s continued support of the event reflects a shared commitment to safety, wellbeing and positive participation in sport and recreation.

The WorkSafe Victorian Classic will be held at Bells Beach / Djarrak on October 24–25, 2026, with nearby backup locations available if required.

Spectators are welcome to attend throughout the weekend, with heat draws, results and event updates available through www.surfingvic.com/live

Event Details

Event: WorkSafe Victorian Classic 2026

Dates: October 24–25, 2026

Location: Bells Beach / Djarrak, Victoria

Divisions: Open Men and Open Women

Prize Pool: $5,000

Food & Coffee: Available onsite

The WorkSafe Victorian Classic is supported by WorkSafe Victoria, Mizu Life, Ritual Vision Eyewear, S2 Adventure, Chemistry Surfboards, Cancer Council Sunscreen, Vitality Brands and Surfing Victoria.