As the Corona Cero New Zealand Pro Presented by Bonsoy gets underway, Raglan is set for a packed week of live music, surf films, athlete appearances and community events alongside the action at Manu Bay.
The official event waiting period runs from May 15–25, with competition days dependent on surf conditions.
The week begins with a pōwhiri on Wednesday welcoming athletes, crews and visitors to Whāingaroa ahead of the first-ever Championship Tour event at Manu Bay.
On Thursday, May 14, surfers will hit the water for the official athlete training session at the event site, while fans around town will get their first close-up look at the world’s best surfers settling into Raglan. Thursday night will also see Regurgitator perform live at the Harbour View Hotel.
The official WSL Opening Party at The Yard on Friday, May 15 will help launch the opening weekend festivities as the waiting period gets underway.
Throughout the week, surf fans will have opportunities to meet athletes during a series of team signings and events at both Raglan Surf Emporium and Raglan Surf Co.
Raglan Surf Emporium will host Vissla, Rip Curl and Volcom team signings across the event window, while Raglan Surf Co will host the Billabong Team Signing, Movie Screening and Community Engagement Night on Sunday, May 17.
Film premieres are also set to draw crowds, including the New Zealand premiere of Sketchy at The Yard on Monday, May 18, followed by the Volcom world movie premiere and Goons of Doom live show on Tuesday, May 19.
The Harbour View Hotel will host live music across multiple nights during the event window, including performances from Regurgitator, Head Like A Hole, Sonomass and Critter & Crew, Mojo Masters and Tony Painting And The Power.
Meanwhile, the Surfalicious Exhibition at the Raglan Old School Arts Centre will run daily from May 15–24, while the Raglan & District Museum is also hosting a local surfing history exhibition highlighting the area’s rich connection to surfing culture.
With pro surfers already being spotted around town and local groms frothing on the arrival of the Championship Tour, the next two weeks are shaping up to be one of the biggest periods Raglan has seen on the international surfing calendar.
Competition updates, ON/OFF calls and transport information will be shared daily through official WSL channels.
