Aussie surfers get boost in new-look World Surf League
Australian surfers are the big winners in a revamped 2026 World Surf League calendar that has axed the divisive finals day to decide the world champions.
The WSL has announced a new schedule that sees the Championship Tour pushed back from a January start to kick-off at the Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach in April.
This is followed by events at Margaret River and Snapper Rocks, giving Australian surfers a flying start in their home breaks.
"I think kicking off the tour in Australia is a great way to start," WSL boss Ryan Crosby told AAP.
"There's so many amazing and iconic waves in Australia, it was a really good opportunity for us to start the season here and we're excited to do that.
"This change actually does a lot of things for us as it puts us into a lot of really good swell periods for all of our venues.
"It also allows us to bring the European leg into October, which is a big help for us because that's a really good window for them so that'll be a big improvement.
"Portugal will now be in a time of year when the wave will actually be better."
There are still 12 events, with the Pipe Masters in Hawaii held in December the tour finale, with a win in that event worth 15,000 points instead of the usual 10,000.
The controversial mid-season cut has been softened, coming after the ninth tour stop at Lower Trestles in California, and that will be determined by a surfer's best seven results.
The fields of 36 men and 24 women will then be narrowed to 24 men and 16 women for stops 10 and 11 before all surfers return for the iconic North Shore event, with the top eight seeded.
Crosby said surfers were surveyed as well represented by a new advisory council in discussions about the changes.
"We were talking about what's the optimal form for the league and what do we want it to look like and the answer that kept popping up for us was finishing at the world's most iconic wave," Crosby said.
"We were listening to surfer feedback, to fan feedback - we spent a lot of time actually talking to the surfers."
Crosby didn't believe that the current finals format, where the top five surfers compete in one-day winner-take-all decider, was unanimously unpopular and said seeding surfers at Pipe meant they retained an element of it.
"There are differing opinions on the format across the board ... I will say I think there were more of the preferred the world champion being decided by aggregate points," the American said.
"This new system, in the way that it's designed, really gives us what we think is the best of both worlds."
West Australian Jack Robinson, who won at Bells Beach last month and has competed in the one-day finals over the three years its been held, backed crowning the world champion at Pipeline.
"Pipeline is what it's all about - there's a reason so many people dedicate their lives to mastering it," he said in a statement.
"Starting my 2023 season with a win at Pipe was huge, but I can only imagine how incredible it would be to end the season winning both the event and the world title there.
"It's exciting to see the CT keep evolving, and I'm stoked the WSL is listening to feedback and working hard to make the tour better for everyone."
THE 2026 CT CALENDAR:
CT1: Bells Beach, Australia
CT2: Margaret River, Australia
CT3: Snapper Rocks, Australia
CT4: Punta Roca, El Salvador
CT5: Saquarema, Brazil
CT6: Jeffreys Bay, South Africa
CT7: Teahupo'o, Tahiti
CT8: Cloudbreak, Fiji
CT9: Lower Trestles, USA*
CT10: Surf Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
CT11: Peniche, Portugal
CT12: Pipe Masters, Hawai'i, USA**
* End of regular season, start of post-season
** Full CT fields rejoin post-season surfers to compete for Pipe Masters Titles
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
West Australian
43 minutes ago
- West Australian
Winless Indian launches into LIV Golf Virginia lead
Pursuing his first individual LIV Golf win, India's Anirban Lahiri has recorded a bogey-free second round at seven-under 64 to hold a two-shot lead in Virginia. A runner-up on the breakaway circuit four times, Lahiri sank seven birdies and made a 39-foot par putt on No.16 on Saturday, then finished strong with a par on No.18 after landing in the rough. On the last, he had to get up and down from a distance of more than 100 yards. "Yeah, those felt like birdies as well," Lahiri said of his impressive finish to the day at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club. "I think the first 15 holes was about as solid as I could have played. I missed a few putts and I still made quite a lot of birdies. "Then 16, I was trying to hit like an in-between 9-iron and I tried to compress it a little bit too much, and everyone else saw what happened. It was nice to make that putt." Veterans Bubba Watson, Martin Kaymer and Graeme McDowell - who are also chasing their first individual LIV Golf win - are at nine under entering Sunday's final round, just two shots behind the leader. "It's always good to be close to the lead, have a chance on the last day," Watson said. "Looking forward to it. Looking forward to the challenge of this golf course ... You hit your driver good, you hit your irons in the right spots, you have a chance to play this golf course." RangeGoats GC captain Watson birdied the 17th and 18th, then closed his round with pars on the first and second en route to a six-under 65. Kaymer, who shared the first-round lead with Crushers GC captain Bryson DeChambeau, shot a four-under 67. McDowell notched three straight birdies on Nos. 15-17 to put himself in contention with a five-under 66. Joaquin Niemann, DeChambeau and Jon Rahm, the top three in the individual standings, are tied for fifth at seven under, four shots off top spot. Marc Leishman (71) is the leading Australian at four under and in joint 14th, with Cameron Smith (70) two under, Lucas Herbert (73) six over and Matt Jones (75) eight over. With AAP.
Perth Now
an hour ago
- Perth Now
Winless Indian launches into LIV Golf Virginia lead
Pursuing his first individual LIV Golf win, India's Anirban Lahiri has recorded a bogey-free second round at seven-under 64 to hold a two-shot lead in Virginia. A runner-up on the breakaway circuit four times, Lahiri sank seven birdies and made a 39-foot par putt on No.16 on Saturday, then finished strong with a par on No.18 after landing in the rough. On the last, he had to get up and down from a distance of more than 100 yards. "Yeah, those felt like birdies as well," Lahiri said of his impressive finish to the day at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club. "I think the first 15 holes was about as solid as I could have played. I missed a few putts and I still made quite a lot of birdies. "Then 16, I was trying to hit like an in-between 9-iron and I tried to compress it a little bit too much, and everyone else saw what happened. It was nice to make that putt." Veterans Bubba Watson, Martin Kaymer and Graeme McDowell - who are also chasing their first individual LIV Golf win - are at nine under entering Sunday's final round, just two shots behind the leader. "It's always good to be close to the lead, have a chance on the last day," Watson said. "Looking forward to it. Looking forward to the challenge of this golf course ... You hit your driver good, you hit your irons in the right spots, you have a chance to play this golf course." RangeGoats GC captain Watson birdied the 17th and 18th, then closed his round with pars on the first and second en route to a six-under 65. Kaymer, who shared the first-round lead with Crushers GC captain Bryson DeChambeau, shot a four-under 67. McDowell notched three straight birdies on Nos. 15-17 to put himself in contention with a five-under 66. Joaquin Niemann, DeChambeau and Jon Rahm, the top three in the individual standings, are tied for fifth at seven under, four shots off top spot. Marc Leishman (71) is the leading Australian at four under and in joint 14th, with Cameron Smith (70) two under, Lucas Herbert (73) six over and Matt Jones (75) eight over. With AAP.
Herald Sun
an hour ago
- Herald Sun
AFL Carlton v Essendon: Who is closer to a premiership?
They are two of the sport's most esteemed clubs with the richest history, but success is elusive for Carlton and Essendon. In years gone by, the hopes of a breakthrough premiership has appeared on the horizon for both the Blues and the Bombers, but neither side has harnessed their momentum at the pointy end of the season. Now entering the back half of 2025, both sides are out of the top eight and looking more like pretenders than contenders. But which side is closer to a flag? We look at what each side looks like the rest of the season, and who is better placed to contend in the coming years. FOR THE NOW INSIDE THE COACHES BOX The words are written on whiteboards around Ikon Park. 'Pound the Rock'. It's a reminder to Carlton's playing group of the unrelenting contested style of football that Michael Voss wants his side to play. There hasn't been any deflection from that strategy despite the evolution of football and the 17 other teams moving away from that style. While other teams get more explosive from the contest, more daring with movement off half back, and more chaotic with entries inside forward 50, Carlton doubles down. The Blues are league leaders in contested possession differential and pressure rating this season, and are sixth in clearance differential. They want to drag teams into a scrap and beat them there. It's an exhausting style and it costs them in the back half of games. The Blues are the second-best team in first halves this season (+98), but are the fifth-worst side in second halves (-74). Essendon has adopted a different strategy, focusing on possession football. Similarly to Carlton, the Bombers aren't exploding out of contests and focusing on gaining ground at all costs, which is a growing trend in the AFL. They are league leaders in the disposal count, sit fifth in uncontested marks due to their chipping style, and have the fourth-worst percentage of kicks gaining ground. Both coaches are signed beyond this campaign, with Voss locked in until next year and Scott secured until 2027. Who is better placed: Carlton appears ahead, having gone 18-22 against top-eight sides under Voss, while Essendon is 6-19 against top-eight sides under Scott. PLAYING IN THEIR PRIME Carlton should be in a win-now phase, pushing deep into finals and challenging for a premiership. The players in their prime are some of the best in the league. Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay have won three of the past four Coleman Medals between them, Tom De Koning is considered one of the best rucks in the competition, and Jacob Weitering is the All-Australian full-back. George Hewett is enjoying a career-best season, as is Jack Silvagni after recovering from an ACL injury, and Sam Walsh and Adam Cerra are playing consistent footy after some injury-plagued seasons. Essendon does not have the same firepower in the prime, but gun midfielders Jye Caldwell and Nic Martin headline players entering their prime. Sam Draper was in strong form before his achilles injury, and Jordan Ridley has endured a rough run with injury but is an All Australian calibre defender at his best. Who is better placed: Carlton has more A-graders who are hitting their peak. SALARY CAP DRAMAS Carlton has plenty of cash tied up, and it is only going to get tighter if Tom De Koning stays. The ruck is currently being courted by a host of rival clubs, with St Kilda offering an eye-watering $1.7 million to move to Moorabbin. If De Koning opts to stay, he'll join Adam Cerra, Harry McKay (2030) and Jacob Weitering (2031) on expensive long-term deals. Mitch McGovern, Jack Silvagni, Nic Newman, Brodie Kemp and Nick Haynes the priority re-signings coming out of contract. It seems unlikely the Blues can keep De Koning and avoid pillaging its already-weak list depth. Essendon has just Andrew McGrath signed to 2030, but will pay up for emerging defender Zach Reid to remain beyond this year and into next decade after his start to the season. Sam Draper and Nick Bryan are priority signings, with Draper a chance to explore his options while Bryan seems locked into the Bombers. Who is better placed: Essendon has more flexibility in its cap and has less starpower coming out of contract at the end of this season. FOR THE FUTURE DRAFT HANDS AND CLUB-TIED PROSPECTS While Carlton and Essendon shared similarities heading into last year's 'Super Draft', list bosses Nick Austin and Matt Rosa had opposing strategies. The Blues had two father-son products in Ben and Lucas Camporeale, while the Bombers had access to talented small forward Isaac Kako through their NGA. Ultimately a bid came for Kako at No.13, but not before the Bombers traded out of the first round to avoid it getting swallowed up by an early bid. When it came to the Blues and their draft strategy, Austin didn't blink and it paid off in the form of O'Farrell at No.40, just three selections ahead of a bid for Ben Camporeale. With Essendon trading out of its No.11 selection last season, Rosa will now have two first-round picks, both shaping to fall inside the top 10. The Bombers will also have two second rounders, which will likely be used on Academy products Hussien El Achkar and Adam Sweid. Meanwhile, the Blues took a different approach, mortgaging their future assets to move up the order and take talented midfielder Jagga Smith. The Oakleigh Chargers ball magnet cost Carlton its first and second rounders in 2025, and there has been no dividends paid yet after Smith ruptured his ACL in a pre-season clash. Promisingly the midfielder is back running laps at Ikon Park in recent weeks. Entering the 2025 draft, Carlton's first selection will fall in the second round, with the pick tied to Brisbane. Austin might have to gamble again in November, with father-son prospect Harry Dean rated by some experts as a second-round talent. The Blues also have access to Jack Ison, who is expected to be drafted, and Tyson Gresham, the brother of Essendon's Jade Gresham, in their Academy. Both sides' draft hands could change wildly in the off-season, with Essendon in the market for West Coast's Harley Reid, who would cost at least both first rounders, while Carlton could have a first-round compensation pick if Tom De Koning defects to St Kilda. Who is better placed: As it stands, Essendon has a much better draft hand. YOUNG TALENT TIME Brad Scott refused to say Essendon was in a rebuild throughout the pre-season, but seven debutants later it's clear where the priorities lie. The Bombers are hitching their cart to second-year forward Nate Caddy, and for good reason. But the talent is there beyond just Caddy. Taken at No.54 in the 2023 draft, Archie Roberts is firming as one of the standout chances in this year's Rising Star award, having averaged 24.1 touches through 11 games this year. Small forward Isaac Kako was a first-round talent and has shone at stages this year, but more excitingly for Essendon fans has been the development of the later picks. Zak Johnson debuted in round 12 after arriving at the club as the No.70 pick last season, while rookie Archer Day-Wicks has been handed several games already in his maiden campaign. Angus Clarke also burst onto the scene with three goals on debut, and Luamon Lual will play his first senior game against the Blues. Ben Camporeale is close to playing and Lucas Camporeale did start the season in the senior side, but he has since been developing in the VFL. Oliver Hollands is just 21 but has played 53 senior games already, while mid-season pick up Cooper Lord has shown plenty of promise. But there's been some misses at Carlton, too. Jesse Motlop entered 2025 after a strong pre-season, but he and the rest of the small forwards have been largely disappointing. Harry Lemmey was once seen as the next key forward in line, but Carlton has preferred to give games to Lewis Young rather than debut the South Australian. Ashton Moir has played three games in two years and hasn't shown much despite starting as the substitute in every match. Who is better placed: Essendon's young star power, and depth, is better. OFF THE FIELD It turned out to be false, but there were mid-season reports of former Essendon chairman Paul Little wanting to stage a coup and take power back. Part of the reported plan was to sack Scott and replace him with former coach James Hird – a plan the pair has denied. But it speaks to the security within the club that demands success. Scott is halfway through his third season as coach, and already he is the second-most experienced Bombers leader since Hird. Essendon has endured 10 different senior coaches since the club last tasted finals success under Kevin Sheedy in 2004. Carlton is a side going through overhaul off the field, with Graham Wright transitioning into the chief executive role in October. The esteemed footy figure will take over from long-serving Brian Cook officially at the end of the season, but his responsibilities will increase from July. Verdict: Carlton's recruitment of Wright has the Blues ahead. FINAL VERDICT The top-end talent is there, and is clearly better than Essendon's elite core. But where Carlton falls down is the salary cap dramas, where its best players are on big money, which limits the ability to retain depth. Whether the Blues opts for a reset remains to be seen. Verdict: Essendon is better placed beyond this year, with better young talent, less salary restraints and more draft capital. Unless Carlton drastically improves and ultimately wins the premiership in 2025, Essendon is closer to a flag.
