WA’s Willow Hardy has finished runner-up at the prestigious 2025 Rip Curl Cup Padang Padang, one of the world’s most revered tube-riding events. Held yesterday in flawless conditions at Bali’s famed reef break, the event drew a stacked international field and a packed beach of surf fans for a spectacular day of competition.
Hardy showed poise under pressure, patiently waiting for the right wave before locking in a deep barrel that earned her a near-perfect 9.00. It was enough to leapfrog her into second place with plenty of time remaining. Local favourite Jasmine Studer, who finished runner-up last year, was quick to answer back, scoring the event’s only perfect 10. Hardy found another clean tube to post an excellent 8.33, but fell just 0.84 short of the win. It marks another impressive result for Hardy, who placed third at last year’s event.
WA’s Shaun Manners also represented in the men’s division, one of only four Australians to receive an invitation to compete. After a slow start in Round 1, Manners found his rhythm in his second heat, scoring an 8.27 and 6.17. Despite the solid performance, he missed out on progression by just 0.09 points, finishing 11th overall. Seventeen-year-old local Westen Hirst went on to claim the men’s title.
Read the full official media statement from Rip Curl below.
Local knowledge prevailed today as Lakey Peak’s Westen Hirst and Kuta’s Jasmine Studer took out Indonesia’s most prestigious and longest running surfing event, The Rip Curl Cup Padang Padang in absolutely pumping conditions, both at just 16 years of age.
Perfectly groomed 6ft+ sets pulsed all day long providing opportunities for incredible performances from Indonesia’s best surfers and some of the world’s best free surfers.
The event only runs when the swell delivers, and today, it delivered. Hopping on flights from across the globe, competitors were given just mere days to find their way to Bali’s Bukit Peninsula after receiving the news that the event was on high alert to run on Sunday. The likes of Mason Ho, Ivan Florence, Tosh Tudor, Balaram Stack and more were all there as part of the prestigious invitee list, along with some of Indonesia’s true surfing legends.
Jasmine Studer absolutely dominated the women’s final, getting a perfect 10 and backing it up with an 8.17. Willow Hardy was charging to stay in striking distance, banking a 9 and back up 8.33 but couldn’t quite get the score to take home the trophy. Conditions were flawless all afternoon delivering barrel after barrel after barrel. It was some of the best female tuberiding the world has seen. Ziggy Mackenzie scored what could have been a 10 point ride a minute after the buzzer sounded signifying the end of the final, as Jasmine celebrated her way into the channel.
“I’m so happy, I’m speechless. It’s the most surreal moment of my life,” said Jasmine. “I loved surfing Padang with five girls out, it was amazing. I did not think I was coming out of that 10-point ride. The spit hit me, and I did not think I was coming out. It was just so surreal, it was so much fun.”
On the men’s side, 16-year old Westen Hirst opened the final with a double-barrel for a 9.9. Ivan Florence threaded some fun ones as both Tosh and Westen got clamped right at the end of 10s, and local Ketut Agus was starved of major opportunities. The final 10-minutes fired up as Ketut nailed some smooth, technical tubes to get back in contention, before Westen dropped a 7.33 to lock in the win. A teenage victory that brought back memories of young phenom Erin Brooks taking out the Rip Curl Cup a few years back.
Other highlights included some tube-riding wizardry from Ivan Florence, who during the day looked like he got clipped on a drainer only to come flying out into a foamy section and squeak out into the channel. Made ‘Bol’ Adi Putra nailed an epic stand-up tube. Ketut Agus got a throaty 9.8 on his way to the final. Wesen Hirst not only won the final but got the highest combined qualifying score of the day. A well-deserved winner.
“I’ve been surfing here [at Padang] for a long time now. Since I was 10 or maybe even younger. I got my first proper barrel here, and now finally I’m in The Rip Curl Cup and I won and it’s just… crazy,” said Weston.
Overall, it was a historic day filled with unforgettable moments that will be remembered for years to come. One thing is certain: the future of Indonesian surfing looks incredibly bright.
EVENT RESULTS
Men’s Final:
Westen Hirst (INA) 18.57
Tosh Tudor (USA) 14.97
Ketut Agus (INA) 13.70
Ivan Florence (HAW) 5.33
Women’s Final:
Jasmine Studer (INA) 18.17
Willow Hardy (AUS) 17.33
Imari Hearn (INA) 13.27
Ziggy McKenzie (AUS) 10.00
Kya Heuer (INA) 5.64
The Rip Curl Cup Padang Padang is proudly presented by Island Brewing, Dragon, BGS, INDO Amazon Acai, Red Bull & Biznet.
About Rip Curl
Founded in Torquay, Australia, in 1969, Rip Curl remains a company built by surfers for surfers. Regarded as The Ultimate Surfing Company, for over 50 years Rip Curl has endeavoured to make the best products, run the best events, support the best athletes, deliver the best customer service, and have the best crew of people. The Search is the driving force that led to the creation of Rip Curl, and it lives in the spirit of everything the Rip Curl crew do.
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