Your weekly surf intelligence — the best of what's breaking this week 🌊
ISSUE 004  ·  SURF INTELLIGENCE

DAWN PATROL

Samstag, 18. April 2026
🏆 PUPO WINS BELLS BEACH — 2026 CT Event 01 Champion | 🔴 LIVE: Margaret River Pro Event 02 — On Standby after Round 2

Editor's Note — Issue #4

"

He did it. Miguel Pupo — one of the most technically brilliant surfers on Tour — won the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach. Event 01 of the 2026 CT, DONE. Pupo took the trophy at one of surfing's most iconic venues and now leads the season with 13,320 points. Brazil. Is. On. Fire.

And we're not even stopping to breathe — Event 02 is already underway. The Western Australia Margaret River Pro started April 16th and is currently on standby after Round 2. The heavy slabs of WA are about to reshuffle the rankings. Pupo still leads, Yago Dora is right behind at #2, and Medina is lurking at #3 with a point gap that could easily close in one perfect heat at Margs.

This is shaping up to be the most Brazil-dominated CT in recent memory. Four Brazilians in the top 5, one Pupo on top with the Event 01 win already in the bag. The rest of the world needs to respond — and Margaret River is where that happens.

Stay close. This season is moving fast.

— Janes x

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Video of the Week

Best surf clip from around the web

Video of the Week

When a legend shows up, you stop scrolling. Pure class, pure power — a reminder why certain names never fade from the conversation.

Watch on YouTube →
🔥

This Week's Top Stories

STAB Thu, 16 Apr 2026 23:04:05 +0000

Surfing’s Obsession With Proof

A photographer's musings on the enduring impact of surf imagery and our connection to it. The post Surfing’s Obsession With Proof appeared first on Stab Mag.

Read story →
CARVE Tue, 14 Apr 2026 15:17:52 +0000

Surf Town Taghazout

Here's all you need to plan your surf trip to Morocco's surfing capital. The post Surf Town Taghazout appeared first on Carvemag.com.

Read story →
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WSL CT 2026 — Pupo Wins Bells, Margaret River Live

Event 01 COMPLETED — Event 02 on standby after Round 2

🔴 EVENT 02 LIVE — ON STANDBY Margaret River, WA — April 16–26, 2026 | Round 2 complete

Pupo Wins Bells Beach — Brazil Leads the CT

Miguel Pupo is the 2026 Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach champion. With 10,000 points from Event 01 plus 3,320 from Margaret River so far, he tops the CT standings at 13,320 points. Event 02 at Margaret River is currently on standby after Round 2, Heat 16 — the heavy WA surf is still to deliver its final verdict on this year's title race.

Live CT Standings — After Event 02 Round 2 | Margaret River

🏆 Pupo Wins Bells Beach

Miguel Pupo claimed the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach title — Event 01 of the 2026 CT. He dominated throughout the week and leaves with 10,000 points and the CT lead. One of the most deserved wins in recent memory.

🔴 Margaret River: On Standby

Event 02 is running at Margaret River, WA — currently on standby after Round 2, Heat 16. The powerful WA reef has been delivering heavy surf. More heats still to come and the final result is wide open.

🇧🇷 Brazil Owns the Top 5

Four Brazilians sit in the top 5: Pupo #1, Yago Dora #2, Medina #3, Samuel Pupo #5. It's the most dominant Brazilian showing in CT history through two events. The yellow jersey is deep in Brazilian hands.

🌊 Next: Gold Coast May 1–11

After Margaret River wraps, Event 03 moves to Snapper Rocks for the Bonsoy Gold Coast Pro (May 1–11). Sand-bottom barrels, long walls, the CT's most crowd-friendly venue — the season is about to shift into another gear.

Follow every event live on the WSL app and website.

WSL Live →
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Surfer of the Week

2024 WSL World Champion

🏄 Surfer of the Week

Jack Robinson

🇦🇺 Australia Regular Foot 📍 Margaret River, Australia

Stance

Regular

Home Break

Margaret River, WA

CT Debut

2019

World Title

2024

🏆 2024 WSL World Champion

Jack Robinson Jack Robinson is one of the most powerful and committed surfers on the planet. Raised on the heavy slabs of Western Australia, he built his reputation charging maxing Margaret River and The Box before translating that fearlessness into CT dominance. His rail game is elite-tier and his barrel riding is second to none on tour.

Sitting at #5 on the 2026 rankings with 47,545 points, Robbo is right in the title conversation. Stab Magazine posed the question this week — 'Is Jack Robbo The Cleanest Man In Surfing?' — and honestly, after watching him in his WA backyard, it's hard to argue otherwise. One to watch at Snapper.

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Featured Board

This week's shape worth knowing about

Channel Islands

Happy Everyday

Shortboard — All-Round Performance

Shaper

Al Merrick / Britt Merrick

Best for

Waist to overhead, punchy beach breaks and reef setups

Rocker

Medium entry rocker with slightly flattened deck through centre

Available at

cisurfboards.com

Channel Islands Happy Everyday — The Happy Everyday is Channel Islands' answer to the question every surfer asks: what's the one board I can ride in anything? It blends the user-friendly volume of a grovel board with enough rocker and refined rails to hold in proper surf. It's become a go-to for CT surfers in their quivers and weekend warriors alike — paddle power meets genuine high-performance DNA.

View Board at cisurfboards.com →
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Next CT Event

Bonsoy Gold Coast Pro — Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia

Bonsoy Gold Coast Pro Upcoming
📍 Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia 📅 May 1–11, 2026
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World Rankings

Men's CT 2026 — Live After Event 02 Round 2 | Margaret River

Rang Athlet Land Punkte
🥇 Miguel Pupo Brazil 13,320
🥈 Yago Dora Brazil 11,120
🥉 Gabriel Medina Brazil 9,405
4 Griffin Colapinto United States 9,405
5 Samuel Pupo Brazil 8,065
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