Ethan Ewing’s Off-Season Training Includes Blowing Up Bells Beach

From the position of armchair quarterback, Ethan Ewing had a subpar year on the 2025 Championship Tour. He did not crack a single final, and he was still one Teahupo’o heat away from cracking the top five. For all his rail ability, which is arguably better than anyone else’s, it still feels like we’ve yet to see him touch his competitive ceiling on the Championship Tour. 

Thankfully, there’s a plethora of cameras trained on North Stradbroke’s finest every time he paddles out. And our collective surfing consciousness is better off for it. 

For the first time in ages, both the men and women on the CT have a six-month hiatus from contests. Jack Robinson took advantage by getting surgery 2.5 years after he injured his knee. Other CTers and resting, recuperating and taking advantage of the time off. Pipeline has moved back to the season finale in December, and the 2026 season will start at Bells Beach in April. Speaking of Bells, that’s exactly where EE paddled out in this scintillating edit above. It's simply sublime.

Five of the first six CT events in 2026 will be at right points. Bells, Margaret River, Snapper Rocks, Punta Roca and Jeffrey's Bay, in that order. Early reps never hurt. But keep in mind that Bells is not a straightforward grip-it-and-rip-it kind of wave. Patience and timing as much as important as sheer strength. Luckily, both Ethan has both in abundance. If anyone can bounce back from a rough go, Ethan looks up for it. Just look at those cutbacks.