Xavier Huxtable and Ellie Harrison secure their wildcard spots in the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach

Bells Beach, VIC/AUS (Saturday 28th March, 2026): Xavier Huxtable and Ellie Harrison have secured their wildcard spots in the 2026 Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach presented by Bonsoy.

The trials for the main event wrapped up in an amazing show of talent from Victorias best surfers held in tricky 2-3ft conditions at Winki Pop.

Former trials winner and current WSL Challenger Series athlete Xavier Huxtable (Jan Juc) was the man to beat coming into the event and held no punches throughout the opening rounds consistently top scoring over other surfers.

The final saw Huxtable lock in a heat total of 13.66 against fellow Surf Coast surfer Willis Droomer who finished a close second on 13.30 points.

“Im so frothing, but its all a bit of blur. All year I have been thinking about getting back into the main event and to be back in is amazing. 

The forecast looks super fun and I cant wait to go up against the worlds best at home!”

Finishing in third was Lucas Hickson (Rye) on 9.73 points, with Jarvis Barrow (Jan Juc) in fourth on 9.36.

In the women’s final, it was fellow WSL Challenger Series surfer Ellie Harrison (Barwon Heads) who claimed the final spot in the main draw.

With her signature trademark carves and laybacks, Harrison dominated heats from the outset and in the final had her two scoring rides in the opening half of the heat.

Finishing on a heat total of 13.33, Harrison took down 2025 Trials winner Carly Shanahan (Jan Juc) who finished on 10.23.

“I feel really good and I’m really happy to be back in the main draw. It was a tricky day of competition but I’m happy to be back competing against my idols and the best surfers in the world at home.”

Finishing in third place was Rose Holland (Dromana) on 8.67 with Sophie Wilkinson (Shoreham) on 8.33.

The waiting period for The Rip Curl Pro presented by Bonsoy, begins on Wednesday, 1st April and concludes on Saturday, 11th 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 – Ellie Harrison (Barwon Heads), 13.33

2nd – Carly Shanahan (Torquay), 10.23

3rd – Rose Holland (Dromana), 8.67

4th – Sophie Wilkinson (Shoreham), 8.33

Open Mens

1st – Xavier Huxtable (Jan Juc), 13.66

2nd – Willis Droomer (Jan Juc), 13.30

3rd – Lucas Hickson (Rye), 9.73

4th – Jarvis Barrow (Jan Juc), 9.36