Lucy Darragh And Rajo Saputra Win 2026 Rip Curl Cup Padang Padang
A pair of 16-year-olds, Australian Lucy Darragh and Lakey Peak local Rajo ‘Barrel’ Saputra, have taken out the twenty-third Rip Curl Cup in all-time conditions at Padang Padang.
After an initial potential run day on August 11 failed to deliver the size and consistency required for the Main Event, Padang Padang came to life on August 20, with the 24 invitees descending on Bali’s Bukit Peninsula for a full day of incredible tube riding.
Flawless barrels set the stage for an international field of acclaimed tube riders and Indonesia’s best local talent to battle it out for one of surfing’s most prestigious titles.
The event followed a Leaderboard format, with every surfer competing in two non-elimination heats before the top four advanced to a winner-takes-all Final.
On the men’s side, Saputra gave an early indication of what was to come, posting an 8.17 and 8.57 in Round 1 before taking things to another level in Round 2. In one of the best showdowns of the event, Saputra and Dylan Wilcoxen each locked in perfect 10-point rides, while first alternate Makana Pang bagged a pair of nine-point rides.
Pang entered the Final atop the Leaderboard, joined by Saputra, defending Event Champion Westen Hirst and Tosh Tudor.
The Men’s Final went absolutely turbo, with every surfer posting a nine-point ride as Padang Padang continued to turn it on. But it was Saputra who found another gear, locking in his second perfect 10 of the event and a near-perfect 9.73 for a huge 19.73 combined total to overcome childhood friend Hirst.
“I can’t even talk right now, I’m so happy,” said an emotional Saputra straight out of the lineup. “I had a dream last night that I was going to win the comp. It’s crazy. My dad got second in this contest in 2006, so I’m so stoked to win it this year and bring it back home for him.”
On the women’s side, Darragh was dominant from the opening horn to the top of the podium, kicking off her campaign with an 8.13 and near-perfect 9.93.
Padang Padang once again turned it on for the women, continuing the magic of last year’s Final and this year’s Expression Session. Australian Ruby Berry provided another highlight with the only perfect 10 of the women’s event, pulling into a long, hollow drainer from the mid-section all the way through to the end.
Darragh entered the Final at the top of the Leaderboard alongside defending Champion Jasmine Studer, Berry and Hawaii’s Vaihitimahana Inso.
Berry came out swinging, getting the better of Darragh in a back-to-back exchange with an 8.17 to Darragh’s 7.50. But with Berry unable to find a back-up score, Darragh slammed the door shut with a perfectly read 9.00-point ride to seal the win.
“This is such a sick comp. I’ve been watching it for years, since I was a grom. I just can’t believe I’ve won it,” said Darragh. “There’s honestly no better feeling than just standing in a massive Padang tube. I’m so stoked.”
The wins capped off one of the most memorable editions of the Rip Curl Cup to date, now in its 23rd year as Indonesia’s longest-running and most prestigious surfing competition.
“What an incredible day. We were so blessed and the conditions couldn’t have been more perfect,” said Harry Mann, Rip Curl Indonesia Marketing Manager and Event Director. “This event has such a rich history and the best energy, and today was no different. We saw some insane performances from Rajo and Lucy, and it was truly one for the ages. Big thanks to Official Event Forecaster Swellnet for nailing the call and helping us score an unforgettable day at Padang Padang.”
RIP CURL CUP PADANG PADANG 2026 EVENT SCHEDULE:
Official Party
Thursday, 27 August 2026 at Ulu Cliffhouse
Rip Curl Cup Padang Padang 2026 sponsored by: Radisson Blu Resort & Villas Bali Uluwatu, Island Brewing, Dragon, Yukk Payment Getaway, BGS, Indo Amazon Acai, YUMMY Dairy, Biznet