Carly carves to the top

JAN Juc surfer Carly Shanahan broke through for the biggest win of her young career this time last year, and she hopes “the gods” will be on her side again in 2026.

The 22-year-old will take to the water at Bells Beach/Winkipop in the Rip Curl Pro Trials on 28 March.

Fresh off a successful recent competitive season, Shanahan has aspirations of going back-to-back in the marquee event.

 

Shanahan captured her first Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach wildcard in fine fashion at Winkipop last March, ousting more than 20 of the best women from across the state.

It was absolute pandemonium on the beach for her massive support crew there on the day. Close to 50 of her friends and family lined the shore at high tide Winkipop to watch her tear up the waves.

She won all her heats on the way to the title and earned some of the top scores of the day, including a huge 8-point ride in the final.

 

Reflecting on what was the proudest moment of her life, Shanahan said the feeling of winning an event of that nature could never get old.

“It felt like such a group win, that’s for sure.

“Everyone getting around me in the lead up to the event was unlike anything I’ve experienced before.

“Having all my friends and community hyping me up to prepare as much as I could and relishing in the win as much as I did was really uplifting not only for myself but for everyone involved. Honestly, all the pieces just came together.”

 

The shore at Bells Beach was lined with “Go Carly” T-shirts, helping Shanahan to simmer the “scaries” and embrace the opportunity ahead.

Her mother flew down from New South Wales, while friends and family were also there for her big day.

While only getting two heats against the world’s best, Shanahan said it was life-changing to be up in the bright lights in a Championship Tour event.

The experience has made her hungrier than ever to do it again.

 

“I’m so excited, particularly after the huge success of last year,” she said.

“I didn’t even think about the main event last year, I had so much focus on the trials, so when I got in, I was just overwhelmed with joy.

“Seeing the community rally together and get shirts made saying ‘Go Carly’ brought me to tears right before my heat.

“Being around all the surfers you’ve idolised for years and sharing a locker room with them was incredible.”

 

Before her success at Bells Beach, Shanahan had experienced her fair share of tough heat losses and shattering moments on the World Qualifying Series and Pro Junior events.

A star junior in New South Wales and with expectations on her next competitive move, she felt it was time for a change in scenery.

She moved to the Surf Coast in 2022, and the rest has taken care of itself.

“Everything has just come together since me and my mates spoke about doing a lap around Australia. That trip didn’t happen, but I ended up in Torquay visiting,” she said.

 

“I just fell in love with it and the people. I didn’t that I’d stay, but here I am still here and it continues to have such a special place in my heart.”

Shanahan heads into this year’s Rip Curl Pro Trials as the reigning Victorian Open Women’s state champion.

This week, she represented Jan Juc Boardriders at the Australian Boardriders Battle.

She credits them for making her feel right at home on the Surf Coast.

“We had the best time at the event, celebrating the huge occasion of competing on a national scale as one.

“Juc has been like a family for me. You see them all around town and they just wrap their arms around you and make you feel at home.

“I can’t thank them enough for what they’ve done for me.”

To prepare for her shot at the title, Shanahan is surfing as much as she can.

She has been taking her thousands of social media followers along for the ride on Instagram and Tik Tok.

“I’ve been focusing on doing something every day whether it be mindset, training on land or surfing. This will hopefully contribute to success at the trials,” she said.

“Being intentional with my habits and trying to make all the one-percenters count is my aim.”