Local pair win Rip Curl Pro Trials

THE ultimate dream has come true for a Jan Juc pair who will surf against the world’s best at this year’s 2025 Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach.

Xavier Huxtable and Carly Shanahan were victorious in today’s (Tuesday, April 15) Rip Curl Pro Trials at Winkipop, and received wildcard entries into the World Surf League Championship Tour event, which starts this Friday, April 18).

Today was Huxtable’s second trials win, while Shanahan achieved the honour for the first time, three years after moving down to the area.

Huxtable was a dominant force throughout the day’s competition, winning all of his heats and the men’s final.

The powerful natural footer put together a strong 15.34 in the final to oust local surfers Willis Droomer, Tully Wylie and Phillip Island’s Carl Wright.

Huxtable’s best score was an 8.17, where judges rewarded him for three searing top turns that threw plenty of water onto the rocks at Winkipop.

He said he was rapt to be competing in his third Rip Curl Pro event.

 
“I’m so frothing! The waves were tricky, and I had a bit of a slow start, but in the end, I can’t believe it!

“I can’t wait to do it with some of my best like Morgs [Cibilic], George Pittar and more.

“I was so stoked to luck into a good one to get the good score and to get me going.”

In the women’s field, Shanahan also won all of her respective heats on the way to the title.

Shanahan’s attack on the walls at Winkipop saw her earn some of the top scores of the day, including a huge 8.00 ride in the final.

“I’m feeling pretty good! All my mates came down to watch me and I don’t think I could have got the scores without them.

“It’s pretty nerve-racking [to be surfing against the world’s best], but I’m pretty excited, it’s going to be sick.”

Former Championship Tour surfer Morgan Cibilic received the Rip Curl wildcard.

For full scores, head to liveheats.com/surfingvictoria