Rip Curl Cup Padang Padang Men's Trials Placed on High Alert for Friday
The Indian Ocean is finally coming to life.
According to Rip Curl's official surf forecasting partner, Swellnet, a series of Southern Ocean swells are lining up across the Indian Ocean, setting the stage for what could be an epic run of surf during the Rip Curl Cup Padang Padang waiting period.
The first pulse of swell is expected to arrive in Bali during the early hours of Thursday, building steadily throughout the day. While Thursday morning is forecast to be slightly undersized, confidence is growing that Friday, August 7, will deliver the best conditions for the Rip Curl Cup Padang Padang Men's Trials.
Forecast surf is expected to build into the 3–5ft range, with favourable tides and generally clean conditions creating an ideal window for competition.
Official Event Update
Based on the latest forecast from Swellnet, Rip Curl has placed the Rip Curl Cup Padang Padang Men's Trials on HIGH ALERT for Friday, August 7.
Friday will see Indonesia's best surfers battle it out for the final places in the prestigious Rip Curl Cup Padang Padang Main Event, with only a select few earning the opportunity to compete alongside the world's best tube riders.
The day will also feature a Main Event Invite Warm-Up Session, giving spectators their first opportunity to watch the international invitees dial in their equipment, reacquaint themselves with Padang Padang, and prepare for what is shaping up to be an incredible run of swell.
The official heat draw and event schedule will be announced across Rip Curl's social channels ahead of the call.
The Outlook Only Gets Better
The forecast doesn't stop on Friday.
According to Swellnet, quality surf is expected to continue through Saturday, before easing slightly into Sunday and Monday morning.
Attention then turns to a powerful long-period S/SW groundswell expected to arrive late Monday and peak on Tuesday, with forecasts calling for 6ft+ surf at Padang Padang. The swell has all the ingredients required to run the Rip Curl Cup Main Event if conditions continue to develop as forecast.
Another long-period Southern Ocean swell is already appearing on the charts for later next week, highlighting what is shaping up to be one of the strongest forecast periods of the waiting window.
With multiple swells lining up across the Indian Ocean, excitement is building for the days ahead.
Head down to Padang Padang on Friday to watch Indonesia's best surfers fight for their place in the Main Event and catch the international invitees warming up before competition gets underway.
Stay tuned to Rip Curl's website and social channels for official event calls, heat draws and the latest forecast updates.
#ItsOnWhenItsOn”
The Rip Curl Cup Padang Padang 2026
It’s on when it’s on
Watch it live at ripcurl.co.id
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