Gabriela Bryan and Miguel Pupo Win the 2026 Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Presented by Bonsoy
Historic Wins at Bells Beach
Gabriela Bryan (HAW) and Miguel Pupo (BRA) etched their names into surfing history after winning the 2026 Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Presented by Bonsoy, the opening stop of the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour. Competing in clean four-to-five foot swell at Winkipop, both surfers delivered standout performances throughout the event to secure their first Bells Beach titles.
The iconic event, one of the most prestigious in professional surfing, provided the perfect stage for both Bryan and Pupo to launch their 2026 title campaigns in dominant fashion.
Miguel Pupo Reaches World No. 1 for the First Time
Miguel Pupo produced one of the most memorable performances of his career, claiming his second-ever Championship Tour victory and rising to World No. 1 for the first time in his 14-season career.
The 34-year-old Brazilian faced fellow countryman Yago Dora in a thrilling all-goofy-foot final — the first of its kind at Bells Beach since 1993. Dora held control for much of the heat, but Pupo surged late with a powerful wave that earned an 8.10, sealing a 15.60 total and the win.
Pupo’s victory also makes him the fifth Brazilian surfer to win at Bells, further cementing Brazil’s dominance on the global surfing stage. His emotional triumph, dedicated in part to his family, marks a defining moment in his career resurgence.
Gabriela Bryan Dominates Women’s Field
Gabriela Bryan continued her rapid rise in world surfing, claiming her fifth Championship Tour win and first-ever Bells Beach title. The 24-year-old Hawaiian was the standout performer all week, consistently posting some of the highest scores of the competition.
In the final, Bryan faced reigning World Champion Molly Picklum (AUS). Bryan took early control, capitalizing on the best waves and posting a decisive 14.83 heat total. Picklum struggled to find rhythm and finished with 8.33, handing Bryan a commanding victory.
The win sees Bryan don the Yellow Leaders Jersey heading into Margaret River — a venue where she has already claimed back-to-back victories in previous seasons.
Strong Runner-Up Finishes for Picklum and Dora
Despite falling short in the finals, Molly Picklum and Yago Dora delivered impressive performances to begin their 2026 campaigns.
Picklum showcased consistency throughout the event, battling through a competitive field to secure second place and an early boost in the rankings as she defends her world title.
On the men’s side, Yago Dora’s runner-up finish marks his best-ever result at Bells Beach and signals a strong start to his title defense. Dora also posted the highest single-wave score of the event — a near-perfect 9.50 — during his semifinal victory over Gabriel Medina.
Aussie Treble Race Heats Up
With their victories, Bryan and Pupo now lead the GWM Aussie Treble Rankings, a special competition spanning three major Australian events: Bells Beach, Margaret River, and the Gold Coast Pro.
The top-ranked male and female surfers across these events will each win a GWM Tank 300, adding extra stakes to the early-season swing.
Final Results Snapshot
Women’s Final:
- Gabriela Bryan – 14.83
- Molly Picklum – 8.33
Men’s Final:
- Miguel Pupo – 15.60
- Yago Dora – 13.90
Next Stop: Margaret River Pro
The Championship Tour now moves west for the Western Australia Margaret River Pro, set to run from April 16–26, 2026. With Bryan and Pupo leading the rankings and momentum on their side, all eyes will be on whether they can continue their winning form.
As the WSL celebrates its 50th anniversary season, the 2026 campaign has already delivered world-class performances — and the best is yet to come.
