Rip Curl Cup Warm-Up Session Offers Glimpse Of What's To Come
The 2026 Rip Curl Cup Padang Padang invitees put on a show yesterday afternoon, making the most of a pumping 4–6ft Padang Padang during the Official Event Warm-UpSession.
The predicted swell fell short of the size and consistency needed to run the Main Event, which requires a minimum six-hour window. With not enough swell to hold through the high tide, Padang Padang offered just three hours of conditions worthy of its reputation.
When that window of swell, wind and tide aligned, the invitees went to work, logging valuable time in the Padang Padang lineup as the wave teased its world-class potential.
The women hit the water first for an hour-long heat, trading one barrel after another. It was an impressive display of women’s tube riding, with the field continuing theexceptional form they showed in last year’s final.
Sixteen-year-old Lucy Darragh was a standout performer, alongside Vaihitimahana Inso, showing her Hawaiian tube-riding skills have no issue transferring over to Bali’spremier reef break. Mentawai-born-and-raised Kya Heuer carried the torch as the soleregular-footer, pulling in backside with full commitment and a fearless backhandapproach, raising the question of whether she could become the first regular-footer totake out the women’s event.
The women’s heat was followed by two men’s warm-up heats, with half the field liningup in each.
Defending Event Champion Westen Hirst looked sharp, showing exactly why he tookout last year’s event, while Bruce Irons drew lines reminiscent of his legendary 10-pointride in 2016, reminding everyone why it remains one of the most iconic waves eversurfed at Padang Padang. Two-time winner Made Adi Putra put his local knowledge to good use, while Ocean Lancaster, Rajo Saputra and Varun Tandjung showed the nextgeneration of talent coming through and why they deserve their place among theinvitees.
“Unfortunately, the swell showed up more South and with less size than predicted, so we made the call not to run the Main Event and protect the integrity of the event, while giving all invitees the opportunity to warm up in the best waves possible,” said Harry Mann, Rip Curl’s Product and Marketing Manager and Contest Director.
“Even so, we were stoked to get a three-hour window of epic conditions, allowing us to catch a first look at perhaps one of the most exciting invitees lists we’ve ever had. The women’s heat was a real standout, the waves were firing and the women were charging. It was an epic preview of what we’re going to witness when the main event gets underway.”
Official event forecaster Swellnet has identified Thursday, August 20, as anotherserious swell window for Padang Padang, with strong S/SW energy building across theIndian Ocean. This swell is showing plenty of potential to deliver the powerful, quality waves worthy of the main event.
The 2026 Rip Curl Cup Padang Padang will be webcast LIVE to the world at ripcurl.co.id. Fans can also visit the Rip Curl website to check the official event swell forecast, real-time contest status, and video updates from Bali.
RIP CURL CUP PADANG PADANG 2026 EVENT SCHEDULE:
Local Trials Waiting Period
1–31 July 2026
Opening Ceremony
Saturday, August 1st at 4 PM, Padang Padang Beach, Bali
1. Meet the invited athletes
2. Press conference
3. Traditional Balinese Kecak Dance performance
4. Live Music Performance by Floodlights
Main Event Waiting Period
1–31 August 2026
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