After a long winter filled with monster rides, the surfing fans are happy to get the WSL Tour back. This off-season, the storylines were filled with returning champions, newcomers taking charge, and new events being added. The first stop on tour this year was a trip to Australia, at Bells Beach. Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach commenced on April 11th, and a familiar face was seen being carried out of the water on the shoulder of her friends, Gabriela Bryan.

The Hawaiian native took down the reigning champion Molly Picklum in the final to etch her first win of the year. Bryan pulled a combined score of 14.83 to find her way into the yellow jersey heading into the first leg of the 2026 WSL CT.

The Final: Power vs. Momentum

The 40-minute heat began slowly, but with about ten minutes left, Bryan scored a ride with a two-turn combo and was awarded a 7.0 score. This brought her up to 14.83 and secured the win.

“You got to win it to ring it, and I get to ring it! I’m so excited,” Bryan said, beaming during her post-heat interview. “This event has so much history… it’s surreal to get to lift that Bell myself now.”

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Event Highlights and Results

The 2026 event was a test of patience, featuring multiple lay-days before a pumping finish. Here is how the final standings shook out:

Category	Winner	Runner-Up	Venue
Women’s	Gabriela Bryan (HAW)	Molly Picklum (AUS)	Winkipop
Men’s	Miguel Pupo (BRA)	Yago Dora (BRA)	Winkipop

What’s Next?

With the Bell rung and the champagne sprayed, the World Surf League (WSL) now shifts its focus to Western Australia. As the new World Number 1, Gabriela Bryan will head to the Margaret River Pro, an event she has won previously, with a massive target on her back and the yellow jersey on her shoulders.

If today’s performance is any indication, the “Gabriela Bryan Era” has officially arrived.