Tweed surfer Dane Henry earns Rip Curl wildcard for Bells Beach Pro

Three-time world champion Mick Fanning presenting Dane Henry with his rash shirt after he was awarded a wildcard into the Bells Beach Pro. Photo: RIP CURL. INSET: Dane Henry has won multiple world titles at junior level and is set to compete in his first CT event. Photo: DARREN ANDERSON/WSL

TWEED surfer Dane Henry has achieved a lifelong dream, with Rip Curl awarding him a wildcard entry into the iconic Bells Beach Pro in April.

The 19-year-old Fingal Head product will make his Championship Tour debut at the Victorian event, capping off a breakout two years that have included multiple junior world titles.

Henry was surprised at home with the news by three-time world champion Mick Fanning, who presented the wildcard on behalf of sponsor Rip Curl.

The announcement came just weeks after Henry became only the fifth Australian to win a WSL World Junior Championship.

In 2001, Fanning received a wildcard into the same Bells Beach event at the same age as Henry.

He famously went on to win, ringing the iconic bell and launching a near 20-year career on tour.

Henry said stepping up from the junior ranks to the elite level would be a major test.

Dane Henry has won multiple junior world titles at junior level and is set to compete in his first CT event. Photo: DARREN ANDERSON/WSL

“It’s going to be a weird one coming from being a big fish in a little pond in the juniors and then straight onto the big stage,” he said.

“I feel like my strength is in the air, but at Bells, I’ll need to mix it up a bit.

“I just want to mix it up and really show the judges what I’ve got and try and match it with the big boys.

“I want to say that I won’t be too nervous, but I’ll definitely be nervous. But I’m so ready to go. I’m itching for it, and ready to just give it my all.”

Henry is coming off a strong year, having won gold representing Australia at the ISA World Surfing Games in El Salvador.

In 2024 he claimed a junior ISA world title, placing him among only a handful of surfers in history to hold both junior and open world crowns.

The Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach runs from April 1–11.