A few hours before the start of the 2026 Championship Tour season, world surfing returns to one of its temples: Bell’s Beach, on the south coast of Australia. A mythical wave, a bell to ring, and one certainty: the level has never seemed so dense. In this noted context, four French people are preparing to enter the arena, carried by an ambitious and uninhibited generation.
The World Surf League is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year and the 2026 field promises to be one of the most competitive ever assembled. All eyes will be on the big names of the circuit: Molly Picklum, Yago Dora, Caroline Marks, Griffin Colapinto, Caitlin Summers, Jack Robison, … and also towards the exceptional wild cards: Carissa Moore, Stephanie Gilmore, Gabriel Medina.
In this context, there is no shortage of headliners: established figures, young prodigies and former champions make up a circuit where each series becomes a fight. A reality perfectly summed up by the coach of the French team Joan Duru, for whom “the French are no longer afraid of anyone” and are now approaching this level with assumed ambitions.
A new era: redesigned format and global marathon
Big development in 2026: the end of the play-offs. The world title will now be played out over the entire regular season, restoring all its value to consistency. Twelve stages will punctuate the year, from Australia to the Pacific, via the Americas, Africa and Europe, with a demanding schedule where every result will count. In this planetary marathon, the ability to string together performances will be decisive. “We will have to manage travel, organization, and be on top before each stageâ€underlines the French Olympic champion Kauli Vaast, recently qualified for the CT.
Four French people + 1 in the global wave
There will be four to wear the tricolors at Bell’s Beach: Kauli Vaast, but also Marco Mignot, Vahine Fierro and Tya Zebrowski. Four committed full-time for the 2026 season, while the bronze medalist from Paris 2024 John Defay is expected punctually on a few stages, while awaiting her full return planned for 2027 with a maternity wild card.
In men, Marco Mignot enters its second season with a reinforced status. Rookie of the Year in 2025, he no longer hides his ambitions: “I’m not here to be in the Top 10, I’m here to become world champion.” . An assumed rise in power, driven by global work and affirmed confidence.
À ses côtés, Kauli Vaast discovers the elite with an exceptional background: Olympic champion and winner of the Challenger Series. For him, this first season is as much a learning phase as an opportunity to make an impression. “I am especially looking forward to showing my surfing and competing with the bestâ€he confides.
Olympic champion in 2024, Kauli Vaast has just qualified for the CT. (© ISA / Sean Evans)
In women, Woman Fierro is part of a confirmation dynamic. With increased experience, she now asserts her identity on the Tour: “My difference has become my greatest strength” . A new maturity which could make her a serious contender.
Finally, all eyes will be on Tya Zebrowski. At only 15 years old, the Frenchwoman arrived on the CT after winning the Challenger Series. Between lucidity and ambition, she announces the color: “Everything starts from scratch on the CT but my objectives are clear” . An impressive precocity for those who already dream of « ring the bell » (sonner la cloche) à Bell’s Beach.
Une génération décomplexée
Beyond individualities, a whole collective dynamic is emerging. Supervised by an experienced staff – Joan Duru, Jérémy Florès, Pauline Ado, Thomas Maallem – and supported by the French Surfing Federation, the French are now approaching the CT with a solid structure, the unique experience of the technicians who accompany, and an assumed ambition. From now on, the objective is clear: perform, win, and establish yourself among the best for the long term.
A historic spot for world surfing, Bell’s Beach offers nothing. Long demanding straights, often capricious conditions, maximum pressure: the first stage will immediately set the tone. For the French, this Australian meeting will be more than an introduction. A first full-scale test, in a circuit that is more open and more challenging than ever. And perhaps, already, the first signs of a season where everything seems possible.
Dispatched by the French Surfing Federation, Jérémy Florès (on the left in front of Vahine Fierro), Joan Duru, Pauline Ado and Thomas Maallem will take turns following the 12 stages of the CT season to support the French and help them perform at the highest level. (© FFSurf)
CHAMPIONSHIP TOUR 2026
1-11 avril : Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, Australie
April 16-26: Margaret River Pro, Australia
May 1-11 : Gold Coast pro, Australia
May 15-25: Raglan Pro, New Zealand
June 5-15: Surf City Pro, Salvador
19-27 juin: Vivo Rio Pro, Brésil
August 8-18: Tahiti Pro, Tahiti
25 August – 4 September : Fiji Pro, Fiji
September 11-20: Lexus Trestles Pro, United States
October 14-18: Surfing Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
22 October – 1st November: Peniche Pro, Portugal
Dec. 8-20 : Pipe Masters, Hawaii
LES SÉRIES DES BLEUS À BELL’S BEACH
Marco Mignot will be opposed to the American Crosby Colapinto. A member of the new Californian generation, Colapinto has already distinguished himself on the CT with his regularity and his ability to score in all conditions, notably thanks to very complete rail/air surfing.
Kauli Vaast will face Leonardo Fioravanti. Experienced, the Italian has been one of the most consistent surfers on the Tour in recent seasons, particularly performing well in pointbreak waves like Bells.
For his debut on the CT, Tya Zebrowski will face the American Alyssa Spencer, a surfer already installed on tour in 2024 and who disqualified this year, very comfortable in powerful waves and committed surfing.
From son côté, Woman Fierro will be opposed to the Israeli Anat Lelior. Less experienced on the CT, Lelior remains a solid competitor, but the Frenchwoman leaves with the advantage of experience and her efficient backside surfing on the long Australian right.
Attention : there are now no more drafts on the CT. And all the series are one against one. A surfer who comes second and is thus eliminated.Â
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CT LADIES PENSIONERS 2026
The women’s Top 24 consists of:
– the first 14 of the Championship Tour 2025 rankings
– the first 7 in the 2025-2026 Challenger Series rankings
– two season wildcards awarded by the WSL
– a wildcard assigned for an event
Top 14 CT 2025
Molly Picklum (AUS)
Caroline Marks (USA)
Gabriela Bryan (HAW)
Caitlin Simmers (USA)
Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW)
Isabella Nichols (AUS)
Tyler Wright (AUS)
Erin Brooks (CAN)
Lakey Peterson (USA)
Luana Silva (BRE)
Sawyer Lindblad (USA)
Vahine Fierro (FRA)
Bella Kenworthy (USA)
Brisa Hennessy (CRC)
Top 7 CS 2025-2026
Tya Zebrowski (FRA)
Yolanda Hopkins (POR)
Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS)
Alyssa Spencer (USA)
Francisca Veselko (POR)
Nadia Erostarbe (ESP)
Anat Lelior (ISR)
WSL Wildcards
Carissa Moore (HAW)
Stephanie Gilmore (AUS)
THE PENSIONERS OF THE GENTLEMEN’S CT 2026
The men’s Top 36 is made up of:
– the first 22 in the 2025 Championship Tour rankings
– the top 10 in the 2025-2026 Challenger Series rankings
– two season wildcards awarded by the WSL
– two wildcards awarded for each event
TOP 22 CT 2026
Yago Dora (BRE)
Griffin Colapinto (USA)
Jordy Smith (AFS)
Italo Ferreira (BRE)
Jack Robinson (AUS)
Ethan Ewing (AUS)
Kanoa Igarashi (JPN)
Filipe Toledo (BRE)
Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA)
Cole Houshmand (USA)
Barron Mamiya (HAW)
Connor O’Leary (JPN)
Miguel Pupo (BRE)
Jake Marshall (USA)
Crosby Colapinto (USA)
Marco Mignot (FRA)
Joao Chianca (BRE)
Joel Vaughan (AUS)
Alan Cleland (MEX)
Rio Waida (IND)
Seth Moniz (HAW)
Alejo Muniz (BRE)
Top 10 CS 2025-2026
Kauli Vaast (FRA)
Eli Hanneman (HAW)
Morgan Cibilic (AUS)
George Pittar (AUS)
Samuel Pupo (BRE)
Callum Robson (AUS)j
Luke Thompson (AFS)
Oscar Berry (AUS)
Mateus Herdy (BRE)
Liam O’Brien (AUS)
WSL Wildcards
Gabriel Medina (BRE)
Ramzi Boukhiam (MAR)
