Sierra Kerr has won the 2026 US Open of Surfing, defeating fellow Australian Isla Huppatz in the women’s final at Huntington Beach, California. The result delivered a major early-season boost in the race for 2027 Championship Tour qualification.
An all-Australian US Open final
The Challenger Series event ran from 25 July to 2 August and concluded with two Australians contesting the women’s trophy. Kerr’s win over Huppatz underlined the depth of Australia’s next generation and placed both surfers firmly in the early qualification conversation.
Kerr arrived with momentum after a strong showing at the Ballito Pro. Huntington’s shifting beach-break peaks demand quick decisions, sharp positioning and the ability to manufacture scores in imperfect surf. Her victory demonstrated the competitive adaptability required to move from junior success into elite professional competition.
Why the result matters
The US Open is one of surfing’s most visible contests and the second stop of the 2026–27 Challenger Series. Points earned here carry significant weight because the series determines which surfers graduate to the 2027 Championship Tour.
For Huppatz, reaching the final was also a major result. An Australian one-two finish suggests the country’s women’s pathway remains strong beyond the established CT names.
Men’s result
American Jake Marshall won the men’s division. His victory added another headline to an event that mixed experienced tour surfers with qualification hopefuls.
What comes next
Kerr still faces a long campaign: Challenger Series qualification is decided across multiple events, and rankings can move dramatically. But winning at Huntington provides points, confidence and proof that she can close out a major international final.
Sources: official US Open of Surfing event information and published 2026 Challenger Series results. Image credit: US Open of Surfing.
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