Gabriela Bryan and Miguel Pupo Win 2026 Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach

Hawaii’s Gabriela Bryan and Brazil’s Miguel Pupo have claimed victory at the 2026 Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach presented by Bonsoy, delivering standout performances in pumping conditions at Winkipop. 

Bryan faced off against reigning 2025 World Champion Molly Picklum in the women’s final, with Picklum carrying serious momentum having been on fire all event. Ultimately, Bryan’s commitment and power won the day, posting a 14.83 heat total and placing the World Champ in a combo situation.  

“You got to win it to ring it, and I get to ring it, and I’m so excited,” Bryan said following her commanding win. “This event has so much history, and some of my favourite surfers have won it, so it’s surreal to get to lift that Bell myself now.” 

Together, Bryan and Picklum represent a fearless new generation of women’s surfing, continuing to push one another, and the boundaries of the sport. Their match up today hints at a fierce rivalry brewing as the battle for the 2026 World Title begins.  

“Molly [Picklum] is an incredible surfer and person,” Bryan continued. “We hung out in Kaua‘i in the off-season, and she just pushes us all so much, so it was cool to share a Final with her, and I’m stoked to get the win.” 

In the men’s Final, Miguel Pupo overcame fellow countrymen and 2025 World Champion Yago Dora in an historic, first-ever Brazilian final at Bells Beach, claiming his second Championship Tour victory in his 14-year career on the world stage. The matchup also marked the first all goofy-foot final in 33 years.  

In an emotional win, Pupo revealed his family back home in Brazil was celebrating his daughter’s birthday as he lifted the iconic Bell. 

"I can't believe it, I was dreaming about this moment," Pupo said. "So much hard work, age 34, 14 seasons. If you were to tell me I would be number one in the world today, I would probably laugh at you. I came early to Australia, sacrificed so much, and yeah, happy. I feel like I'm living my career in reverse, you know, starting off not that well and finishing off strong. I feel like I feel I have a lot more years in me to give. It's my oldest daughter’s birthday today, so I'm bringing home a Bell." 

The 2026 Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach unfolded through a challenging event window, with shifting winds and a mixed bag of conditions before delivering a pumping final two days at Winkipop. Both Bryan and Pupo rose to the occasion across all conditions to ring their first‑ever Bells and etch their names onto the famous Bells Beach staircase. 

As the World Surf League celebrates 50 years of professional surfing, the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach continues to uphold its unrivalled prestige as the longest‑running surf event in the world. 

With their victories, Bryan and Pupo will now don the yellow leader jerseys as the Championship Tour rolls into the second stop of the GWM Aussie Treble at Margaret River.