HISTORIC COMBO WIN…CONGRATS KAITLIN SIMMER & COLE HOUSHMAND

Caitlin Simmers and Cole Houshmand Win 2024 Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Presented by Bonsoy

Two California Talents bring in home the Bell to the west coast in the same year for the 1st time!

List of Winners since 1962 HERE

LATEST RANKINGS HERE

Kaitlin comes from behind to beat Johanne Defay (FRA) in the final seconds….and Cole’s back hand was a weapon against #1 rated Griffin Colapinto! Cole is now 1 of 8 goofy footers in over 50 years to Win the Iconic event.

California’s Houshmand and Simmers Add Names to Illustrious List of Bell Ringers
Defay and Colapinto Continue Stellar Run with Runner-up Finishes
Next Stop: Western Australia Margaret River Pro Starts April 11

Pictured: 2024 Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Presented by Bonsoy Finalists [L-R] Griffin Colapinto (USA), Cole Houshmand (USA), Caitlin Simmers (USA), and Johanne Defay (FRA) on stage at Bells today. Credit: © WSL / Aaron Hughes

BELLS BEACH, Victoria, Australia (Wednesday, April 3, 2024) – California’s Caitlin Simmers (USA) and Cole Houshmand (USA) have claimed victory at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Presented by Bonsoy, Stop No. 4 on the World Surf League (WSL) 2024 Championship Tour (CT). The two first-time Bells winners were the ones to beat on Finals Day as the Bowl dished up semi-clean surf in the three-to-four-foot range. It was a historical day of competition, with a number of firsts taking place on the 61st Finals Day at Bells and the 50th with Rip Curl as the title partner.

California’s Houshmand and Simmers Add Names to Illustrious List of Bell Ringers

San Clemente locals and childhood friends Cole Houshmand (USA) and Griffin Colapinto (USA) came into the Final of the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach guaranteed to make history. With either of them winning, they’d be the first Californian male to hoist the Bell since Richie Collins (USA) in 1992, and with the form they displayed, it was either surfer that could take it. Houshmand started strong, posting a 7.00 (out of a possible 10) point ride on his opener and finally backing it up with a 6.50 for a 13.50 (out of a possible 20) two-wave total. Colapinto, who was the form surfer of the event, struggled to get going until the last few minutes of the match-up, and although he started to build, it wasn’t enough to overcome Houshmand. Houshmand got the win, becoming only the seventh goofy-footer to win the event in 61 years, joining names like Occhilupo, Carrol, Hardman, Lynch, Wilkinson and Ferreira.

“I’m speechless, and this is unreal,” said Houshmand. “I honestly don’t think it’s gonna sink in for a while. I’ve been visualizing this every day for the last two weeks, ringing that Bell, and I guess it works. I’m excited for the whole year. My biggest goal was to make it to Fiji as a Rookie, and now I have my sights set on a bigger goal. The Cut is out of my vision and there are bigger things for me to achieve now. The year really starts now. I told Griffin, ‘This is what we’ve dreamed of since we were kids competing,’ and I really wanted to enjoy it. It’s not often you get a Final with your best friend and mentor, but then again, there’s no one I want to beat more and no one I’d rather lose to. This is probably the best day of my life.”

Houshmand came into the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach sitting below the Mid-season Cut Line with an equal ninth as his best result in his rookie season. His maiden CT victory has rocketed him 18 spots up to eighth on the rankings within aim of the WSL Final 5 heading into the second half of the season.

Coming into the Final sitting in first and second on the rankings, whoever claimed the win between Caitlin Simmers (USA) and Johanne Defay (FRA) would leave Bells Beach wearing the yellow Leader Jersey as World No. 1. CT veteran Dafay came into the Final with the most momentum, and it showed as she took control early. With two mid-range scores, Defay held the lead for almost the entire Final. With just three minutes remaining, Simmers took a set wave with priority, scoring a 6.10 to get herself back into contention. With less than one minute remaining, Simmers forced Defay into a closeout, leaving Simmers out the back with sets rolling in. Taking her last chance with seconds remaining, Simmers put together a range of critical maneuvers to score a 6.67, receiving the last-minute news that she had won her maiden Bell on the sand after the buzzer.

“I was just thinking on my last wave, ‘This could be it,'” said Simmers. “In this sport, you always have to believe in yourself because that stuff happens. I still don’t believe it, and it doesn’t feel real. At this high of a level, you have to figure out ways to have an edge. There’s so much for me to think about, and it feels amazing to get the win. This wave is really difficult to work out, so it feels awesome. Yeah, wow, No. 1 in the world sounds great.”

Simmers made history today, becoming the youngest woman to ever win at Bells. Simmers took out her maiden Final at Bells Beach and her second Final of the year after winning stop No. 1 at Pipeline. Simmers rings the Bell as World No. 1 and wears the yellow Leader Jersey heading into the Western Australia Margaret River Pro.

Johanne Defay and Griffin Colapinto Continue Stellar Run With Runner-Up Finishes

Fresh off a win at the Meo Rip Curl Pro Portugal, Johanne Defay (FRA) came into CT Stop No. 4 full of confidence and with her sights on grabbing the Yellow Jersey for the first time in her career. Defay looked to be the woman to beat, posting some of the highest scores in each round to become the first European competitor to contest the Bells Final. With her back-to-back Finals appearances, Defay will now head to the Western Australia Margaret River Pro, sitting solidly in second place on the rankings.

“It feels amazing to make the finals, and I felt good out there. Too bad I made that mistake at the end,” said Defay. “I guess this is what surfing is, you’re out in the ocean, and there’s no certainty. It is what it is, and I have to swallow it, but I’m also happy to place second too. Knowing I’ve made history as the first French person to make the final at Bells feels special.”

Similar to Defay, Griffin Colapinto (USA) arrived at Bells fresh of a win in Portugal and carried plenty of that momentum into Stop 4, posting the highest heat total of the Semifinals, Quarterfinals and the event. Although disappointed, he wasn’t able to clinch his maiden win at Bells. Griffin was over the moon to share the Final with a good friend after seeing his Brother and CT Rookie Crosby Make the Cut and good friend Kade Matson (USA) earn the best result of his Rookie season, ending a great week of results for the San Clemente and Southern Californian contingent of CT surfers. Colapinto will hold onto the World No. 1 position and the yellow Leaders Jersey as he heads into Stop No. 5 at Margaret River.

“That was bittersweet for sure,” Colapinto said. “You always want to win it, especially when you’re in the final. I don’t want to ruin this moment, though – I’m so happy for Cole. We have surfed together since we were ten, so it’s crazy to be standing up here at Bells after going at it in the final. I feel like all of the crew from San Clemente are building momentum and finding their feet on tour, which is so good. We’re all staying together in West Aus, so it will be cool to have the two Bells there next to each other.”

Semifinalists Get Season Back on Track at Bells

Rio Waida (INA) earned his career-best CT result, finishing equal third at Bells Beach. Sitting right on the Cut-line coming into this event, a Semifinal finish at Bells jumps Waida up ten spots on the rankings to World No. 11. Matthew McGillivray (RSA) equaled his career-best CT result with a Semifinal finish at Bells. An equal third moves McGillivray up to World No. 14. Both surfers now head to Margaret River with a lot less pressure on them and their spot on tour ahead of the Mid-season Cut.

Brisa Hennessy (CRC) and Caroline Marks (USA) both earned equal third-place finishes this year at Bells. This is Hennessy’s third and Mark’s second Semifinal finish of this year.

For highlights from the 2024 Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Presented by Bonsoy, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.

Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Presented by Bonsoy Women’s Final Results:
1 – Caitlin Simmers (USA) 12.77
2 – Johanne Defay (FRA) 11.60

Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Presented by Bonsoy Men’s Final Results:
1 – Cole Houshmand (USA) 13.50
2- Griffin Colapinto (USA) 12.80

Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Presented by Bonsoy Women’s Semifinal Results:
HEAT 1: Johanne Defay (FRA) 13.53 DEF. Brisa Hennessy (CRC) 12.10
HEAT 2: Caitlin Simmers (USA) 13.93 DEF. Caroline Marks (USA) 9.24

Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Presented by Bonsoy Men’s Semifinal Results:
HEAT 1: Cole Houshmand (USA) 13.14 DEF. Matthew McGillivray (RSA) 7.77
HEAT 2: Griffin Colapinto (USA) 16.83 DEF. Rio Waida (INA) 14.53

LATEST RANKINGS HERE

Next Stop: Western Australia Margaret River Pro
The next stop on the 2024 WSL Championship Tour will be the Western Australia Margaret River Pro. The competition window opens on Thursday, April 11, and closes on Sunday, April 21, 2024. The event will be broadcast LIVE on WorldSurfLeague.com and the free WSL app. Check out more ways to watch from the WSL’s broadcast partners. For fans watching in the United States, coverage of the competition’s Quarterfinals and beyond will continue on WorldSurfLeague.com and ESPN+.

EARLIER UPDATES BELOW….

Finals Day was Called ON at Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Presented by Bonsoy

Men’s and Women’s Event Winners To Be Crowned Today at Bells Beach
Women’s Semifinals Started at 10:33 AM AEDT (1233pm Tuesday in Hawaii
Men’s Semifinals, and Women’s and Men’s Finals to Follow at Bells Beach

Pictured: 2024 CT Rookie Cole Houshmand will take on Matthew McGillivray (RSA) in Heat 1 of the men’s Semifinals at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Presented by Bonsoy this morning. Credit: © WSL / Aaron Hughes

BELLS BEACH, Victoria, Australia (Wednesday, April 3, 2024) – Finals Day has been called ON at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Presented by Bonsoy, Stop No. 4 on the World Surf League (WSL) 2024 Championship Tour (CT). The competition starts at 10:33 a.m. AEDT with the women’s Semifinals and will be followed by the men’s Semifinals, then the women’s and men’s Finals. The Bells Bowl is turning on clean waves in the three-to-four-foot range, and by the day’s end, there will be two new Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Presented by Bonsoy event winners ringing the coveted ‘Bell’ trophy.

Finals Day will open with the women’s Semifinal 1, which will see Johanne Defay (FRA) up against Brisa Hennessy (CRC), with both women hoping to secure a spot in their maiden Bells Beach Final. Defay has moved up into world No. 1 but will need to continue her run at Bells to wear the Yellow Leader’s Jersey at next week’s Western Australia Margaret River Pro.

The second women’s Semifinal will feature Caroline Marks (USA), the last goofy foot left in the women’s draw, and Caitlin Simmers (USA). If Marks wins today, she will be the first female goofy-foot to win at Bells in over 20 years. 18-year-old Simmers will need to win her maiden Bell if she’s to jump to World No. 1 going into Margaret River.

The first men’s Semifinal features Matthew McGillivray (RSA) and CT Rookie Cole Houshmand (USA). With both surfers sitting around the Mid-Season Cut line, a Final berth will be vital to guarantee their future on the 2024 CT.

Indonesia’s Rio Waida (INA) is hunting for his first CT Final appearance but will first have to get past World No. 1 Griffin Colapinto (USA) in Semifinal 2.

Watch the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Presented by Bonsoy LIVE at WorldSurfLeague.com.

Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Presented by Bonsoy Women’s Semifinal Matchups:
HEAT 1: Johanne Defay (FRA) vs. Brisa Hennessy (CRC)
HEAT 2: Caroline Marks (USA) vs. Caitlin Simmers (USA)

Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Presented by Bonsoy Men’s Semifinal Matchups:
HEAT 1: Matthew McGillivray (RSA) vs. Cole Houshmand (USA)
HEAT 2: Griffin Colapinto (USA) vs. Rio Waida (INA)

EARLIER UPDATES BELOW
No Competition Today at Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Presented by Bonsoy
Small Surf Forces Day OFF at Bells Beach
Next Call: Tomorrow, Wednesday, April 3, at 7:45 a.m. AEDT (Tuesday 1045am HI Time)
Bells Beach Locked in as Championship Tour Venue Through 2028

Pictured: Caitlin Simmers (USA) will be one to watch when competition resumes at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Presented by Bonsoy. Credit: © WSL / Ed Sloane

BELLS BEACH, Victoria, Australia (Tuesday, April 2, 2024) – The WSL Tours and Competition team have called today OFF at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Presented by Bonsoy, Stop No. 4 on the World Surf League (WSL) 2024 Championship Tour (CT). Small surf continues at Bells Beach, with an increase expected throughout today and into tomorrow. The next call for the competition to start will be tomorrow, Wednesday, April 3, at 7:45 a.m. AEDT when conditions are likely to improve.

“As expected, the surf is still quite small today at Bells Beach,” said Renato Hickel, WSL Director Tours and Competition. “We are confident that it will pick up today and into tomorrow, and with light winds in the morning, we are hoping to resume with Finals Day as early as tomorrow.”

When competition resumes, the opening heat of the men’s Semifinals will see South African hopeful Matthew McGillivray (RSA) do battle with 2024 Championship Tour Rookie Cole Houshmand (USA) as both surfers look for their first CT Final appearance.

Women’s Semifinal Heat 1 has two of the event standouts going head-to-head as Johanne Defay (FRA) looks to lock in the yellow jersey heading into Margaret River and Brisa Hennessy (CRC) shoots for her best result of the season.

Bells Beach Locked in as Championship Tour Venue Through 2028

The iconic Bells Beach, the longest-running professional surfing competition, has been confirmed as a World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT) venue through 2028.

The new four-year extension will see the event continue as a mainstay on the CT and ensure the world’s best surfers will continue to ‘ring the Bell’ for World Championship points into the future.

Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Presented by Bonsoy Men’s Semifinal Matchups:
HEAT 1: Matthew McGillivray (RSA) vs. Cole Houshmand (USA)
HEAT 2: Griffin Colapinto (USA) vs. Rio Waida (INA)

Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Presented by Bonsoy Women’s Semifinal Matchups:
HEAT 1: Johanne Defay (FRA) vs. Brisa Hennessy (CRC)
HEAT 2: Caroline Marks (USA) vs. Caitlin Simmers (USA)

For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.

Stage Set For Finals Day at Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Presented by Bonsoy

Off for Monday, Next Call Tuesday ~730am local time (11am start Monday for Hawaii)Apr 2, 2024 7:45 AM AEDT
Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach

Colapinto and Hennessy Set The Standard in Quarterfinals
Reigning Winner Ewing Eliminated, First-Time Bell Ringers Guaranteed
Semifinalists Decided at Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach
No Competition Tomorrow, Next Call on Tuesday, April 2

Pictured: Johanne Defay (FRA) is through to the Semifinals at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Presented by Bonsoy after an impressive heat win on the Bells Bowl today. Credit: © WSL / Ed Sloane

BELLS BEACH, Victoria, Australia (Sunday, March 31, 2024) – The stage is set for Finals Day at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Presented by Bonsoy, Stop No. 4 on the World Surf League (WSL) 2024 Championship Tour (CT). Today saw the completion of the men’s and women’s Quarterfinals as the competition returned to the Bells Bowl, much to the delight of the Easter Sunday crowds that filled the sand.

After all eight Quarterfinals heats were surfed, the incoming tide began to slow the consistency of the Bells Bowl, and the event was called off for the rest of the day leaving just the Semifinals and Finals to be surfed when competition resumes. With poor winds and small surf forecast for tomorrow, the event will be OFF on Monday, April 1, with the next call to be made on Tuesday, April 2.

Colapinto and Hennessy Set The Standard in Quarterfinals

Fresh off a win at the MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal, Griffin Colapinto (USA) arrived at Bells brimming with confidence with the yellow jersey on his back. The San Clemente surfer has had one thing on his mind all week: finding his way to Finals Day, and that was made clear today. Colapinto came up against San Diego’s Jake Marshall (USA) in Quarterfinal 3 and looked unstoppable from the get-go, combining aerial progression with clean drawn-out powerlines to post the highest heat total of the event, a 16.90 (out of a possible 20). Marshall was eliminated in Equal 5th place as he continues a breakthrough year on the CT.

“I kinda had a feeling it was going to pulse because the heat before mine was so slow,” Colapinto said. “It happens a bit, and it’s kinda California style. Lowers does that a lot. The texture and pace of the wave are so similar to home. It just comes down to finding your lineups, but it feels so similar, and I feel like all of us Cali boys are feeling pretty comfortable. Jake and I have been a huge part of each other’s lives since we were like mini groms. We’ve built up this crazy rivalry since we were young, and part of the reason we are where we are now is because of what we had when we were little. It got pretty hectic for a bit, and there were some funny stories that went down, but we resolved it all, and when he made the Tour, we both put it all in the past and decided to have each other’s backs on this Tour because it’s really hard.”

Brisa Hennessy (CRC) posted the highest single wave score of the women’s Quarterfinals with an 8.50 (out of a possible 10) and the biggest heat total with a 15.83 (out of a possible 20). Putting on a dominant performance to defeat Tour rookie Sawyer Lindblad (USA), Hennessy secured her best result at Bells, moving through to the Semifinals against Johanne Defay (FRA).

“I felt really in the moment and connected with Bells, thinking about the history here and all the incredible surfers and people that have come before us,” said Hennessy. “The sunrise was insane this morning, and I just felt like I was meant to be here. Sawyer is incredible. Her backhand surfing is so sharp. I really admire her grit. It’s really hard being a rookie on Tour. I really wanted to just stick to my game, and I think my biggest competitor is myself. At the end of the day, I have a lot of mental battles and those inner voices. I’m just trying to keep calm in there. To make the Final, it’s definitely going to take good wave selection and being smart on what waves I’m picking, as well as holding on at that end section. But I’m feeling a little spark right now.”

Reigning Winner Ewing Eliminated, First-Time Bell Ringers Guaranteed

Cole Houshmand (USA) has continued his impressive run of form at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, earning a spot in the Semifinals with a heat win over reigning event winner and Bells favourite Ethan Ewing (AUS). Houshamnd put the pressure on off the bat, posting a 9.07 (out of a possible 10) on his opening ride, then backing it up with a mid-range score. Ewing posted a mid-range score of his own and then waited with priority for a set that never came with the ocean going flat for the last 12 minutes of the heat. Ewing leaves Bells with an equal 5th-place finish, while Houshmand is guaranteed the biggest result of his CT career as he looks to move above the Mid-season Cut line.

The opening heat of the day saw CT veteran Johanne Defay (FRA) take on Local Trials winner Ellie Harrison (AUS) in what was set to be an exciting matchup. Defay looked solid all heat, taking an early lead and controlling it throughout the heat. With plenty of hometown support on the beach, Harrison fought hard but was unable to progress, ending her first CT appearance with an equal fifth. Defay is through to her second Finals Day in as many events and has moved to first place on the rankings for the first time in her career.

“I knew Ellie (Harrison) would have a lot of support on the beach as she is from here,” Defay said. “I love the passion of the locals, especially here in Australia, where surfing is so popular. I had a similar amount of support in Portugal last week, so I was ready for it and knew just to focus on my surfing. Bells is a hard place to select waves, and I knew Ellie would have the local knowledge, so I tried to get busy and catch plenty of waves. When I landed that throw-tail, I was so happy to get rewarded for it.”

Caitlin Simmers (USA) put on a commanding performance in her Quarterfinal matchup with Gabriela Bryan (HAW), posting a 15.50 two-wave total to book a spot in the Semifinals. Simmers’ speed and flow were a perfect match for the Bells Bowl as she set herself a matchup with reigning World Champion Caroline Marks (USA) in Semifinal 2. Marks took a close heat win over fellow goofy-footer Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) in Quarterfinal 3.

Semifinalists Decided at Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach

Matthew McGillivray (ZAF) can breathe a little easier after defeating the injury wildcard and close friend Morgan Ciblic (AUS) to secure himself a spot on Finals Day. Sitting around the Cut line, a Semifinal appearance for McGillivray will better his ranking, with hopes of making the Cut and keeping his place on Tour.

“It was funny to surf a heat against such a good friend,” said McGillivray. “Morgan and I started travelling together on the Challenger Series, and it’s crazy the journey we have come on together. I wish we got more waves in that heat, we pretty much tied. I fell off randomly and made a mistake, but it put me in position for the next set wave and got me in better rhythm with the ocean. I was definitely feeling the pressure coming into this event. Having the Cut every year, you don’t want to leave it up to Margaret River because then the pressure is really on. With Bells being a right-hand point break like my home break, I wanted to capitalize here, and it’s so nice to be able to breathe a bit easier and sleep a bit better at night, so I’m happy.”

The last heat of the day witnessed Rio Waida (INA) come up against 2024 CT Rookie Kade Matson (USA) as both surfers hunt for their best results of the season. Both competitors looked on fire at Winkipop yesterday and it was set to be an exciting matchup on the Bowl. Waida found a rhythm, posting a 12.17 two-wave total (out of a possible 20), while Matson was unable to find the waves he needed until the last minute, leaving him still searching for a score. Waida will take on Griffin Colapinto in his first-ever CT Semifinal appearance.

“I’m always dreaming of making Finals, but at the same time, I try to stay focused step by step,” Waida said. “I made the Quarterfinals, and I was happy, but the job wasn’t done, and now I’m making the Semis, so of course I’m happy but the job is never done. Even if I win this event I’ll just keep trying to get better. I fell off a couple of waves. Maybe I was nervous, but after I fell, I thought, ‘Okay, I need to make the next wave.’ I played the game a bit, and luckily, the waves came to me, and I got the job done.”

For highlights from today’s competition at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Presented by Bonsoy, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.

Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Presented by Bonsoy Men’s Quarterfinal Results:
HEAT 1: Matthew McGillivray (RSA) 12.17 DEF. Morgan Cibilic (AUS) 12.16
HEAT 2: Cole Houshmand (USA) 13.84 DEF. Ethan Ewing (AUS) 6.00
HEAT 3: Griffin Colapinto (USA) 16.90 DEF. Jake Marshall (USA) 11.83
HEAT 4: Rio Waida (INA) 12.17 DEF. Kade Matson (USA) 6.64

Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Presented by Bonsoy Women’s Quarterfinal Results:
HEAT 1: Johanne Defay (FRA) 12.13 DEF. Ellie Harrison (AUS) 10.86
HEAT 2: Brisa Hennessy (CRC) 15.83 DEF. Sawyer Lindblad (USA) 11.74
HEAT 3: Caroline Marks (USA) 11.94 DEF. Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) 11.76
HEAT 4: Caitlin Simmers (USA) 15.50 DEF. Gabriela Bryan (HAW) 14.07

Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Presented by Bonsoy Men’s Semifinal Matchups:
HEAT 1: Matthew McGillivray (RSA) vs. Cole Houshmand (USA)
HEAT 2: Griffin Colapinto (USA) vs. Rio Waida (INA)

Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Presented by Bonsoy Women’s Semifinal Matchups:
HEAT 1: Johanne Defay (FRA) vs. Brisa Hennessy (CRC)
HEAT 2: Caroline Marks (USA) vs. Caitlin Simmers (USA)

For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.

Watch LIVE
The Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Presented by Bonsoy will be broadcast LIVE on WorldSurfLeague.com and the free WSL app. Check out more ways to watch from the WSL’s broadcast partners. For fans watching in the United States, coverage of the competition’s Quarterfinals and beyond will continue co-exclusively on WorldSurfLeague.com and ESPN+.

EARLIER UPDATE BELOW….
DAY 4: Quarterfinals Called ON at Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach
Women’s Quarterfinals Start at 8:00 AM Sunday AEDT (11am SAT HI time)
Men’s Quarterfinals to Follow at Bells Beach
Men’s and Women’s Semifinals on Standby
Watch LIVE at WorldSurfLeague.com

Pictured: Brisa Hennessy will compete in Quarterfinal 2 at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Presented by Bonsoy this morning. Credit: © WSL / Ed Sloane

BELLS BEACH, Victoria, Australia (Sunday, March 31, 2024) – Women’s and Men’s Quarterfinals have been called ON at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Presented by Bonsoy, Stop No. 4 on the World Surf League (WSL) 2024 Championship Tour (CT). Competition is back at Bells Beach, with semi-clean three-to-four-foot surf breaking on the Bowl. The women’s Quarterfinals will commence at 8:00 a.m. AEDT, with the men’s Quarterfinals to follow. The men’s and women’s Semifinals are also on standby.

The opening heat of the day will see current rankings leader Johanne Defay (FRA) do battle with local trials winner and event hopeful Ellie Harrison (AUS) as Defay looks to take hold of the yellow jersey ahead of Margaret River.

2024 CT Rookie Sawyer Lindblad (USA) has guaranteed her best CT result with a Quarterfinal berth and will take on Brisa Hennessy (CRC) in the second heat of the day.

Good friends Morgan Cibilic (AUS) and Matthew McGillivray (RSA) will go head-to-head in the opening heat of the men’s Quarterfinals as Injury Replacement Cibilic hopes to continue his giant-killing run at Bells Beach.

Watch the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Presented by Bonsoy LIVE at WorldSurfLeague.com.

Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Presented by Bonsoy Women’s Quarterfinal Matchups:
HEAT 1: Johanne Defay (FRA) vs. Ellie Harrison (AUS)
HEAT 2: Sawyer Lindblad (USA) vs. Brisa Hennessy (CRC)
HEAT 3: Caroline Marks (USA) vs. Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA)
HEAT 4: Caitlin Simmers (USA) vs. Gabriela Bryan (HAW)

Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Presented by Bonsoy Men’s Quarterfinal Matchups:
HEAT 1: Morgan Cibilic (AUS) vs. Matthew McGillivray (RSA)
HEAT 2: Ethan Ewing (AUS) vs. Cole Houshmand (USA)
HEAT 3: Griffin Colapinto (USA) vs. Jake Marshall (USA)
HEAT 4: Kade Matson (USA) vs. Rio Waida (INA)

For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.

EARLIER UPDATE from Day 3

Men’s Quarterfinalists Decided at Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach

World Champions Bow Out on Day 3 of Competition
Griffin Wins Clash of the Colapintos at Winkipop (21 hours ahead of Hi Time)
So-Cal Youngsters Find Form at CT Stop Four

Pictured: World No.1 Griffin Colapinto (USA) is through to the Quarterfinals at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Presented by Bonsoy after a solid performance at Winkipop today. Credit: © WSL / Aaron Hughes

BELLS BEACH, Victoria, Australia (Saturday, March 30, 2024) – The third day of competition at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Presented by Bonsoy, Stop No. 4 on the World Surf League (WSL) 2024 Championship Tour (CT), witnessed a move to Winkipop once again with the world’s best enjoying clean waves in the two-to-four-foot range. Easter weekend crowds were treated to a massive day of heats with the completion of the men’s Round of 32 and Round of 16.

World Champions Bow Out on Day 3 of Competition

Cole Houshmand (USA) has guaranteed his best result at the elite level, booking himself a spot in the Quarterfinals at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach. Houshmand built momentum through the day, taking a last-minute victory over three-time WSL World Champion Gabriel Medina (BRA) in the Round of 16, then a commanding victory over Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) in the Round of 16. Houshamand earned an excellent 8.67 for a series of critical backhand re-entries and will need to keep that sort of form when he takes on reigning event winner Ethan Ewing (AUS) in the Quarterfinals.

“Doing well at Bells has always been a goal of mine,” Houshmand said. “It’s an iconic event with so much history and a wave that I think suits my surfing, so I’m stoked to be here on Finals Day. I really need a big result as well, so I’m hoping to make a few more heats. For me, that heat [against Medina] was more of a dream than winning a comp. There were literally interviews of me when I was like ten or eleven talking about how Gabby is my favorite surfer, so to have a heat with someone like that at the highest level is a dream for me, and to come out on top is another check on the box.”

On his way to the Round of 16, Barron Mamayia (HAW) ended the run of the 11-time WSL World Champion Kelly Slater (USA) in what is likely to be his last competitive appearance at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, 32 years after his first. Slater looked in good touch on the 30th anniversary of his first Bells win, but it was Mamiya who was able to find the best wave of the match-up, leaving Slater to be eliminated and shift his focus to the Western Australia Margaret River Pro.

“This is likely my last Bells. If I don’t win at Margaret’s, this will be my last one,” said Slater. “I’m just trying to enjoy it and have fun. Coming down to Bells is always magical. I’ve been coming for a number of decades. It was my first event as a full-time competitor on the world Tour. Some of the most memorable ones were when I rang the Bell. To have a Bell at your house is an honor, and I was fortunate enough to win four. I did want to do well in this event. I’m trying to enjoy these events, enjoy the people, the friendships, and the memories. Reading all the names that have won here, a lot of them being my heroes, all the greats in surfing have won this event. I’ll enjoy Margarets for what it is, and I’m not gonna try to push it too much. I’m super appreciative of this life I’ve had. This whole career has been really fun. We’ll see, though. I’ll pitch out for a couple of wildcards.”

Mamiya’s run at Bells soon came to a close in the Round of 16, ended by an in-form Jake Marshall (USA), who is through to the Quarterfinals.

Cole Houshamand’s fellow San Clemente local and 2024 CT Rookie, Kade Matson (USA), has also earned his best result on the CT, booking a spot in the Quarterfinals. Taking down former Bells winner and two-time World Champion John John Florence (HAW) in the Round of 32, Matson found good flow at Winkipop, only surfing two waves to bank his winning total. Florence was unable to back up a solid opening score and will leave Bells with an equal 17th place finish, ahead of his pet event, the Western Australia Margaret River Pro. Matson then went on to overcome Yago Dora (BRA) in the Round of 16 with an impressive performance on the long walls of Winkipop.

Griffin Wins Clash of The Colapintos at Winkipop

It was a brother-versus-brother matchup in Heat 5 of the Round of 16, which saw Griffin Colapinto (USA) come out ahead of his little brother Crosby Colapinto (USA). Both brothers are fresh off solid showings in Portugal, with Griffin taking the win and Crosby an equal third-place finish, as they each hoped for more fireworks in their first ever-matchup at the elite level. As the tide went high at Winkipop, the waves slowed down, and it became a battle of the best wave, with Griffin’s experience shining through as he posted the highest single score of the matchup for a radical fins-free lay-back snap.

“I think Crosby wanted to beat me more than I wanted to beat him,” said Griffin.” it’s pretty rad that our parents were able to be here for it; this is the first contest that they’ve come to together, so it’s rad that Crosby and I ended up matching up. It’s unfortunate the waves went slow, but it was fun; The family name doubled down on that one.”

“I’d say we wanted to beat each other evenly; when we got that paddle battle going, I was like ‘okay it’s on, screw this guy,’” said Crosby. “I hope we can get some more heats together because that one kinda left a weird taste in my mouth, but hopefully we can get one in some good waves, and that will be more fun.”

Crosby’s Equal 9th place finish here at Bells is enough to see him make the Cut in his Rookie season.

Pictured: Kade Matson (USA) has guaranteed the best result of his rookie season with a Quarterfinal berth at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Presented by Bonsoy. Credit: © WSL / Ed Sloane

So-Cal Youngsters Find Form at CT Stop Four

It was a massive day for the group of young Southern Californian surfers, seeing Griffin Colapinto (USA), Cole Houshmand (USA), Jake Marshall (USA), and Kade Matson (USA) put on solid performances to move through to the Quarterfinals.With Matson and Houshmand hovering around the Mid-season Cut line, a Quarterfinal appearance will be vital for their rankings heading into the Margaret River Pro. For Marshall, his Quarterfinal result at Bells confirms he has made the Cut and secures his place for the second half of the season.The Mid-season Cut implications continued in the last heat of the day as Rio Waida (IND) will also move through to the Quarterfinals, getting the win ahead of Caio Ibelli (BRA). Today was Ibelli’s best result of the year, but he will need another solid result in Margaret River to make the Cut and stay on Tour.When competition resumes, the opening matchup of the Quarterfinals will see former CT competitor and Injury Replacement Morgan Cibilic (AUS) do battle with good friend Matthew McGillivray (RSA), with both surfers taking solid wins in their Round of 16 matchups today at Winkipop.For highlights from ttoda’s competition at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Presented by Bonsoy, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.

Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Presented by Bonsoy Men’s Round of 32 Results:
HEAT 6: Liam O’Brien (AUS) 13.00 DEF. Ramzi Boukhiam (MAR) 12.30
HEAT 7: Cole Houshmand (USA) 14.27 DEF. Gabriel Medina (BRA) 13.77
HEAT 8: Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) 14.64 DEF. Jacob Willcox (AUS) 13.90
HEAT 9: Griffin Colapinto (USA) 15.57 DEF. Tully Wylie (AUS) 11.73
HEAT 10: Crosby Colapinto (USA) 14.47 DEF. Miguel Pupo (BRA) 13.53
HEAT 11: Barron Mamiya (HAW) 11.37 DEF. Kelly Slater (USA) 10.10
HEAT 12: Jake Marshall (USA) 12.73 DEF. Frederico Morais (POR) 11.17
HEAT 13: Kade Matson (USA) 12.00 DEF. John John Florence (HAW) 10.10
HEAT 14: Yago Dora (BRA) 14.03 DEF. Ian Gentil (HAW) 13.50
HEAT 15: Rio Waida (INA) 14.07 DEF. Italo Ferreira (BRA) 11.43
HEAT 16: Caio Ibelli (BRA) 12.77 DEF. Jordy Smith (RSA) 11.73

Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Presented by Bonsoy Men’s Round of 16 Results:
HEAT 1: Morgan Cibilic (AUS) 13.50 DEF. Ryan Callinan (AUS) 12.27
HEAT 2: Matthew McGillivray (RSA) 13.50 DEF. Samuel Pupo (BRA) 12.44
HEAT 3: Ethan Ewing (AUS) 15.77 DEF. Liam O’Brien (AUS) 14.33
HEAT 4: Cole Houshmand (USA) 14.37 DEF. Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) 13.73
HEAT 5: Griffin Colapinto (USA) 11.67 DEF. Crosby Colapinto (USA) 4.67
HEAT 6: Jake Marshall (USA) 14.17 DEF. Barron Mamiya (HAW) 8.74
HEAT 7: Kade Matson (USA) 14.00 DEF. Yago Dora (BRA) 12.80

For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.