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-Up Session.
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 the exceptional 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’s premier reef break. Mentawai-born-and-raised Kya Heuer carried the torch as the sole regular-footer, pulling in backside with full commitment and a fearless backhand approach, raising the question of whether she could become the first regular-footer to take out the women’s event.
The women’s heat was followed by two men’s warm-up heats, with half the field lining up in each.
Defending Event Champion Westen Hirst looked sharp, showing exactly why he took out last year’s event, while Bruce Irons drew lines reminiscent of his legendary 10-point ride in 2016, reminding everyone why it remains one of the most iconic waves ever surfed 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 next generation of talent coming through and why they deserve their place among the invitees.
“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 another serious swell window for Padang Padang, with strong S/SW energy building across the Indian Ocean. This swell is showing plenty of potential to deliver the powerful, quality waves worthy of the main event.
Keep informed of official event calls and the most up to date event information on our social channels:
The 2026 Rip Curl Cup is proudly sponsored by Radisson Blu Resort & Villas Bali Uluwatu, Island Brewing, Dragon, Yukk Payment Gateway, BGS, Indo Amazon Açaí, YUMMY Dairy and Biznet.
2026 RIP CURL CUP PADANG PADANG OFFICIAL INVITEE LIST
MEN – INTERNATIONAL
- Taj Burrow (AUS)
- James Kusitino (FJI)
- Tosh Tudor (USA)
- Craig Anderson (AUS)
- Hughie Vaughan (AUS)
- Mason Ho (HAW)
- Lukas Skinner (GBR)
- Ocean Lancaster (AUS)
MEN – INDONESIA
- Westen Hirst
- Ketut Agus
- I Made Pajar Ariyana
- Tommy Sobry
- Dylan Wilcoxen
- Made Adi Putra
- Rajo Saputra
- Varun Tandjung
WOMEN – INTERNATIONAL
- Ruby Berry (AUS)
- Vaihitimahana Iso (HAW)
- Sky Brown (GBR)
- Lucy Darragh (AUS)
WOMEN – INDONESIA
- Jasmine Studer
- Kya Heuer
- Taina Izquierdo
- Paris Nalendra
