Considine chasing Bells wildcard as tour returns

BELLS Beach/Djarrak will feature on the World Surf League (WSL) World Longboard Tour during the 2026-27 season.

The Bells Beach Longboard Classic is set for 25–29 November and will be the second stop on the four-leg tour.

It will mark the fourth consecutive year the WSL has returned to the Surf Coast to host the event.

The classic will have a field of 24 men and 24 women, with 10,000 points on offer for winners.

Surfing Victoria chief executive, Adam Robertson, welcomed the return of the world’s best to Bells Beach.

“Bells Beach is one of the most iconic surfing locations in the world, and to have this event back on the calendar provides an incredible opportunity for our two Victorian longboard state champions to compete at a premier event on home soil,” he said.

“The depth of longboarding talent in Victoria continues to grow, and events like this not only showcase that talent and inspires the next generation, but cements the pathway for longboarding in Victoria from club level to the world tour.”

Barwon Heads surfer Ben Considine has competed in the event on several occasions.

 

The 28-year-old is leading the race for the local wildcard after winning the opening round of the Victorian Longboard Titles.

He said nothing compared to the feeling of surfing on the world stage in front of your friends and family.

“I’m super excited for the potential to qualify for Bells,” he said.

“It’s always such a highlight and being able to compete with the world’s best is an amazing opportunity.

“I’ve loved seeing the approach everyone takes with the longboards out at the bowl and Rincon. It always gives me some new ideas and approaches and it’s great to test yourself out there like that.”

WSL Longboard tour director, Will Hayden-Smith, said the tour continued to gain momentum.

“We saw some of the best longboarding ever last season, and that level keeps rising,” he said.

“The tour is genuinely going from strength to strength, and we’re excited to see the athletes push it even further this year.”

This season’s world champions will be decided on cumulative points across the four events, with the top-ranked man and woman at the end of the tour crowned the winners.

The full competitor fields for the 2026-27 World Longboard Tour will be confirmed in the coming months.