MARGARET RIVER, AUSTRALIA — Hawaii’s Gabriela Bryan and South Africa’s Jordy Smith emerged victorious at the Margaret River Pro, capping off a thrilling week of world-class surfing in Western Australia.
Bryan, 22, claimed her second consecutive Margaret River Pro title in the women’s division. This marks her second win on the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour this year. She solidified her position at the top of the rankings by posting a 9.5 and recording the highest combined heat total in the women’s series so far.
“I’m getting more comfortable with every heat,” Bryan told the WSL. “I have amazing people supporting me, and I couldn’t do it without them.”
Bryan continues to wear the coveted yellow jersey, increasing her lead over 19-year-old Caitlin Simmers, who currently sits second in the women’s world rankings.
Simmers, the youngest surfer to win a world title last year, remains in contention for back-to-back championships. She eliminated local wildcard Bronte Macaulay in the semi-finals. Despite the loss, Macaulay—reaching her fourth career semi-final at her home break—was met with applause and cheers from local fans.
In the men’s final, 37-year-old Smith showcased his experience and composure, defeating American Griffin Colapinto. Smith, the oldest competitor on the tour, executed a strong performance in smaller swell conditions, just days after massive waves rolled through Main Break.
The victory marks Smith’s second event win of the season and moves him to the top of the men’s rankings as he continues his pursuit of a long-awaited world title.
Colapinto’s finals appearance capped a successful campaign, helping him clear the mid-season cut—an often controversial format that sees lower-ranked surfers dropped from the main tour. The WSL confirmed earlier this year that the mid-season cut will be scrapped in 2026. A traditional cumulative points system will return to determine the world champions.
Starting in 2026, the Margaret River Pro will also shift earlier in the season, while the finale will move to Pipeline in Hawaii.
The tour now heads to California, where surfing legend and 11-time world champion Kelly Slater will compete as a wildcard.
The season will culminate with the world title showdown in Fiji this August.