Huxtable advances to Round of 16 at Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach

COMPETION has been called on today (Friday, April 25) at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Presented by Bonsoy, stop five No. 5 of the 2025 World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT), with a local favourite winning the first contest of the day.

The remaining heats of the men’s Round of 32 started. The men’s Round of 16 will follow. Today, competition returns to the Bells Bowl, which is dishing up super clean surf in the four-to-six-foot range. The women’s Quarterfinals are off for the day.

The first heat of the day saw 2018 Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach winner and World No. 1 Italo Ferreira (BRA) fall to Victoria Trials Winner Xavier Huxtable (AUS). The local hopeful brought his best to overcome the 2019 WSL World Champion and booked a spot in the Round of 16, winning 13.66 to 9.67.

Brazilian duo Yago Dora (BRA) and Alejo Muniz (BRA) will go head-to-head in Heat 13 of the Round of 32. Dora is hoping to consolidate his spot inside the Top 5. While Muniz is looking to move up the rankings and inside the Mid-season Cut line.

2022 Rip Curl Pro Bells winner Filipe Toledo (BRA) will take on 2025 CT Rookie George Pittar (AUS) in Heat 15 of the Round of 32. Both surfers are known for their incredible speed on rail which will make for an epic showdown on the Bells Bowl later this morning.

Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Men’s Round of 32 Remaining Matchups [Heats 10 – 16]: