Raglan to host World Surf League Tour event

The World Surf League (WSL) is bringing its Championship Tour to New Zealand shores with Raglan selected as the fourth stop.

The New Zealand Pro will run from May 15-25, when the top 36 men and 24 women will compete at the world-class, left-hand point break at Raglan. This will be the first combined Men’s and Women’s World Surf League Championship Tour event ever held in New Zealand.

The Piha Pro, a Pro Challenger Series event, was scheduled to take place in mid-March in 2020, including 11-time men’s world champion Kelly Slater, but was postponed days before it was to start due to Covid-19.

The New Zealand Pro is being supported through the Government’s Events Attraction Package, which aims to bring high-value international events to New Zealand, attracting international visitors, stimulating the economy and growing New Zealand’s global profile for major events.

“I’m thrilled to announce that Raglan will be hosting the New Zealand Pro – WSL Championship Tour event, the biggest elite surfing event ever staged in New Zealand,” Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston said.

“This is an incredible opportunity for surfing in New Zealand. Fans will be able to watch the world’s most talented surfers get barrelled and compete, inspiring our budding young athletes and helping grow the sport in New Zealand.

“The New Zealand Pro will also give a major tourism boost to the Waikato, with a lineup of competitors and spectators to the region and a global broadcast of the event, showcasing Raglan as a top surf destination internationally.”

The WSL Championship Tour is the fourth event announced from the package, which includes a Linkin Park concert at Auckland’s Spark Arena, the Ultra Music Festival in Wellington and the Fifa World Series also in Auckland.

“Major events like these give a huge economic boost to our cities and towns - supporting hospitality and tourism businesses, creating more jobs and growing our economy and building for the future,” Upston said.

“We’re not just hosting events; we’re building a reputation internationally as a world-class destination for culture, sport and entertainment.”