Aussies Take Double Win at The Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach

04/27/2025

Aussies Take Double Win at The Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach

Jack Robinson and Isabella Nichols have won the iconic Bells trophies in front of family and friends at the 2025 Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach.

The two Aussies have now rocketed up the rankings to sit in final five contention coming into a series of three events in their home country. Both surfers were emotional post win, after a gruelling waiting period where patience and determination won out. 

“Words can’t describe how that felt just then” said Isabella Nichols about her historic win.

“I’ve been chasing that feeling since I won the Margaret River Pro three years ago and I thought that feeling would never be topped. But to be carried up the stairs by my dad, with most of my family and friends here, it’s an emotion I can’t describe with words. This is the best day of my life, for sure.” 

That same emotional intensity echoed in the men’s final. Jack Robinson, still riding the high of victory, shared what fueled his fire: “It’s a special day. I have my whole family here, everyone is here. All my team, my whole crew,” he said.

“Right before the semi-finals I was watching footage of Parko [Joel Parkinson] and Mick [Fanning] surfing Bells. And then we watched Taj [Burrow], Andy [Irons], and Kelly [Slater] and I was all fired up, I drew inspiration from those guys. I just channeled them and told myself, ‘Be in the moment’.”

It was a tale of the underdog for much of the event, as top seeds fell one after the other early. Local wildcard Xavier Huxtable took down world #1 Italo Ferreira. Rip Curl Wildcard Morgan Cibilic cut a swathe through the draw, making it all the way to the semi finals. Even Kanoa Igarashi took down red-hot event favourite Ethan Ewing on his way to finishing 2nd behind Robinson. 

On the women’s side it was a similar story with World #1 Caity Simmers and World #2 Molly Picklum exiting early. Luana Silva made her first World Tour final ever, finishing 2nd, while Nichols clinched her first event win in three long years. Nichols was in sync with the fickle Southern Ocean from the start, winning heat after heat, beating 2-times Rip Curl Pro winner Tyler Wright in the semis, then putting in a dominant performance to ring her first Bell. 

Conditions were like a mixed Easter egg basket for the event. Some days were small yet colourful, others were big and chunky. It was all tasty in the end, though, with the spiritual home of Rip Curl putting on the goods to finish over ANZAC long weekend. 

The tour now heads to Queensland with all eyes on the top of the rankings. Can favourites like Molly Picklum reassert their superiority, or will gritty veterans and rising stars continue to topple big names? 

For the full Rip Curl Pro highlights, check out our Instagram feed which is choc full of top scores and behind the scenes fun. 

For iconic Rip Curl Pro Merch, hit the online store here.