WSL Raglan Day 1: Medina Dominant as CT Makes History at Manu Bay

History was made at Manu Bay today. The WSL Championship Tour's first-ever event at Raglan opened with clean left-hand walls, offshore winds, and some of the longest rides the CT has seen all season.

Medina Sets the Tone

Gabriel Medina left no doubt about his intentions. The three-time world champion posted a 15.20 combined heat total in Round 2 — the highest of the day — dismantling Eli Hanneman with the kind of flowing, powerful surfing that Raglan's endless lefts reward.

Medina's backhand attack was relentless. On a wave that peels for 200 metres, he found six scoring sections where most surfers find three. His rail work through Manu Bay's long walls was a masterclass in reading a point break — patient through the fat sections, explosive through the bowls.

Day 1 Highlights

Round 1 opened with local wildcard Luke Thompson defeating Tom Butland in Heat 1 with a 12.50 total — a strong statement from the Kiwi contingent. The home crowd energy at Manu Bay was electric, with spectators lining the rocks above the break.

Rio Waida found his form to earn his first win of the season in dominant fashion. The Indonesian surfer's smooth, almost casual style suited Raglan's long walls perfectly.

The women's draw saw strong performances across the board, with several surfers posting scores above 14 points as the consistent southwest swell delivered wave after wave through the Manu Bay lineup.

Manu Bay on a good day is one of the great natural theatres in surfing. The wave breaks along a cobblestone reef, peeling left for 200 metres or more in a long, predictable arc. At 3-4 feet with offshore winds, today's conditions were textbook — clean faces, open shoulders for turns, and the occasional bowl section offering barrel opportunities on the lower tide.

For CT surfers used to beach breaks and reef slabs, Raglan demands a different approach. The wave rewards patience, flow, and the ability to generate speed through long, drawn-out turns. Power surfers who rely on explosive moves in the pocket need to adapt. Point break specialists — Medina, Ewing, Gilmore — thrive.

Championship Standings Impact

With Gabriel Medina already leading the men's rankings, a strong result at Raglan could extend his lead significantly. Luana Silva leads the women's standings and will be looking to defend her yellow jersey on a wave that suits her progressive style.

The event runs through May 25, with competition called on when conditions are optimal.

Surf Raglan Yourself

The waves do not leave when the tour does. Manu Bay, Whale Bay, and Indicators are surfable year-round, with the best conditions from March through August. Our Race the Route: Raglan guide covers everything you need — swell windows, tide charts, local knowledge, and where to find ZealZag surfers who know this break.

Follow the full WSL 2026 season in our mid-season recap. Also happening this week: Vingegaard conquers the Blockhaus and the Keswick Mountain Festival is underway.