Rip Curl Pro Bells: Solid Finish Looms for World's Best Surfers

After a mix of lay-days, expression sessions, and competitors battling through average—yet still contestable—conditions, the opening rounds of the 2026 Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach are officially in the books. With only a few days left in the event window (April 1–11), there’s still plenty of action ahead before champions are crowned in both the men’s and women’s divisions. The good news? A new swell is on the horizon, arriving just in time to shake things up.

Will Bells Beach Turn On?

I wouldn't call it "epic", or even "good", but it's looking better than anything else within the event window. The storm to deliver this round of swell is currently developing under Australia. Although the next 24-48 hours will be telling as this close system unfolds further, confidence is very high for stronger surf to build in over the 10th and 11th. With that said, the surf is also looking to be raw - good size and with OK wind, but wild and wooly too. So, not epic, but should still be pretty exciting.

THURSDAY 9TH: Expect another smaller day of waves for Bells. Similar to today's surf, but a touch smaller and less consistent. Staying mostly under the head high mark. Conditions will be clean for at least the morning with offshores, if not all day.

FRIDAY 10th: Slowly rising surf as new WSW-SW swell builds in. The dominant angle will be very west and comprised mostly of shorter period bands. Therefore, much of this initial energy will bypass Bells. Regardless, sets are to hover mainly around chest-head high+ through the morning, before picking up a little into the afternoon with the bigger sets reaching 1-2 feet overhead. Many waves will likely be sectiony and/or break out-to-sea more as they wrap in with softer shoulders. Still, there will be some standout sets in the mix. Offshores all day from the WNW, which are to become breezy by the afternoon, if not sooner.

SATURDAY 11th: Surf for Saturday morning is looking to start out similar to how Friday ended - with respect to size, shape, and conditions. Then watch for size to slowly build further through the day with stronger pulse of reinforcing energy - sets going well overhead by the afternoon, occasional waves pushing up to double overhead+. Also, shape should slowly improve through the day, as the dominant angle shifts a little more southerly and the dominant period becomes a little longer. Moderate offshore wind from the WNW to start the day, then becoming strong from the W. Better surf overall, but still quite raw.

*Note: While it falls just outside the official event window, Sunday, April 12 is already shaping up to offer some of the best surf of the run—potentially delivering solid size with cleaner, more organized conditions.