Australians Claim Victory at the 2025 Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach
The Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach saw outstanding performances as Australians Isabella Nichols and Jack Robinson secured victories at one of surfing’s most prestigious events. Their wins mark significant milestones in their professional careers, with Nichols and Robinson joining the historic roster of champions at Bells Beach.
Photo: Isabella Nichols and Jack Robinson 2025 Bells Beach Winners Credit: Cait Miers / World Surf League
Australians Isabella Nichols and Jack Robinson Triumph at Bells Beach
BELLS BEACH, Victoria, Australia (Sunday, April 27, 2025) – Australians Isabella Nichols and Jack Robinson have emerged victorious at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Presented by Bonsoy, the fifth stop of the 2025 World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour. It is the first time either surfer has won this iconic event, securing their names on one of the most revered trophies in professional surfing. Finals Day was graced with semi-clean surf in the four-to-six-foot range, providing ideal conditions for competitors and spectators alike.
Jack Robinson Joins the Elite at Bells Beach
Jack Robinson claimed his eighth CT event victory, adding Bells Beach to his impressive list of achievements, which already includes a Pipe Masters title. After a challenging start to the season, Robinson’s win propels him six places up the rankings to world No. 3, reinforcing his campaign for a maiden World Title.
"It's a special day. I have my whole family here, everyone is here. All my team, my whole crew," Robinson said. "Right before the Semifinals, we were watching footage of [Joel] Parko and Mick [Fanning] surfing Bells, and then we watched Taj [Burrow], Andy [Irons], and Kelly [Slater], and I was all fired up. I drew some inspiration from those guys. I just channelled that and thought 'be in the moment.'"
In the Final, Robinson faced Kanoa Igarashi, a childhood friend and Olympic Silver Medalist. Despite Igarashi's active approach, Robinson's patience paid off, delivering a powerful performance with a late 7.77 ride to claim a winning total of 14.14 points out of 20, securing his place among surfing’s greats.
"I thought there was going to be more waves in the Final. I just had to get in front of Kanoa [Igarashi] it was kind of getting slow, and I needed to turn the heat on. There was a reason why I didn't go on his waves. The ocean is wild. Surfing is wild, the way that it chooses you. I'm super blessed, and I'm just really grateful. It hasn't really sunk in. I'm just enjoying it, enjoying the moment, and that's what it's all about."
Isabella Nichols Secures Emotional Victory
Isabella Nichols secured her second CT event win by defeating Luana Silva in an inspiring Final. Building on her momentum after a runner-up finish in El Salvador, Nichols dominated from the outset, earning an 8.33 and a 7.93 for a combined heat total of 16.26.
"Words can't describe how I'm feeling right now. This is definitely the best day of my life," Nichols said. "Ever since winning in Margaret River three years ago, I've just been chasing this feeling ever since, and I never thought that feeling could be topped, but getting carried up the stairs by my dad and coach and having most of my family here, it's just an emotion I can't describe. Every year I come here and look at those stairs and the names on them, and the thought of having my name on there amongst all of those others is such a dream."
Nichols' strategic approach and decisive heat management reflected her development as a competitor, with today's triumph marking a significant career milestone.
"A comp win is a comp win, but being proud of your performance you've put in through the week and through the month is something different," Nichols continued. "How you surf is one thing but for me it's so much about the decisions you make in a heat and I've been coming out of the water proud of that and feeling like I'm in a rhythm for the first time is great because I've lost a lot of heats from not making good decisions. I've been coming to Bells for years, training in conditions like this, so I felt really ready for today."
Luana Silva Achieves Career-Best Finish
Luana Silva recorded the biggest result of her young career, finishing runner-up at Bells Beach. The 2024 World Junior Champion showcased impressive form, using her powerful turns to great effect throughout the competition. Silva’s result moves her to 11th on the rankings, closing in on the Mid-season Cut line.
"I'm really proud of my performance," Silva said. "I'm glad I overcame some mental blocks, mental obstacles that I wasn't overcoming in the beginning. It's a huge achievement for me. It's a step in the right direction to get past the mid-year cut, because the last two years, I haven't made it past that. So, I feel really good about the next event, and I just want more after this. Because after coming in second place, you always want more, I feel. But, yeah, I couldn't be more proud of myself and the way I was so determined the whole event. I'm already excited for the next one."
Kanoa Igarashi Continues His Strong Form
Kanoa Igarashi continued to build momentum with a Finals appearance at Bells Beach. After impressive performances earlier in the week, Igarashi’s runner-up finish boosts him six spots up the rankings as he aims for a place in the Final 5.
"I'm stoked for sure. Just to be waking up on Finals Day is always nice," Igarashi said. "You hear Hells Bells play right before the final, and all those emotions of being in the final are always so nice to feel. Jack [Robinson] and I have been hanging out all week, so it's funny how that all happened, and it all came together. We were going to go gloves off no matter what. It just feels good to be on the hunt again. I just switched over to JS, and the boards are working super well. I'm just excited to have a good start to a pretty big leg [here in Australia]."
Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Final Results
Men's Final
- 1st - Jack Robinson (AUS) 14.14
- 2nd - Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) 13.87
Women's Final
- 1st - Isabella Nichols (AUS) 16.26
- 2nd - Luana Silva (BRA) 12.67
Men's Semifinals
- HEAT 1: Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) 10.27 def. Morgan Cibilic (AUS) 5.37
- HEAT 2: Jack Robinson (AUS) 14.67 def. Griffin Colapinto (USA) 14.33
Women's Semifinals
- HEAT 1: Luana Silva (BRA) def. Brisa Hennessy (CRC)
- HEAT 2: Isabella Nichols (AUS) def. Tyler Wright (AUS)
Source: https://www.worldsurfleague.com/