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Corona Cero New Zealand Pro

Finally the World Tour gets a performance left hander.

Words: Joel Gray Photos: WSL

Amongst the goofy-footed fraternity, it’s an often-grumbled fact that the elite World Tour has been missing a true performance left for many years. Finally, they have one with the Corona Cero New Zealand Pro.

This represents a chance to balance out the hi-fi action of the Snapper and El Salvador events, along with the open-face right-handers of Margaret River and Bells Beach. Sure, they’ve got Pipe, Cloudbreak and Teahupoʻo, but those barrel-focused reef breaks still tend to favour the regular footers due to the advent of full-body tube-stall techniques.

The multiple-manoeuvre walls of Manu Bay at Raglan will provide a super exciting canvas for spectators and competitors alike. After the packed beaches, boardshorts and bikinis of the Gold Coast, it’s back to full suits and chilly morning coffees. There’s a real element of the unknown as to how the World Tour’s established top dogs and bottom feeders will fare on this new addition to the tour.

Carve’s five to watch — men and women.

Gabriel Medina

There's no doubt that the returning Medina has been the onform surfer over recent events. It’s like he’s accessed a new level of calm maturity and the depth of flow to his surfing, his read on individual waves is unmatched.

Rio Waida

If he can adjust to the morning chill and the full wetsuits then this could be a great opportunity for Rio to shine. Growing up predominantly surfing with his back against the wall on the long lefts of the Bucket Rio’s back hand is his forte and not something we’ve seen much of to date.

Griffin Collapinto

One of the few regular footers able to put down real variety and throw tail without sacrificing flow. At his home break, Trestles his backhand is as good as his forehand and his performance in last years final 5 at Coudbreak was only bettered by goofy footer Yago.

Italo Ferreira

When judges and spectators alike are open minded to the possibilities of goofy footed surfing at this new canvas, we can fully expect Italo to be the electric cat amongst the pigeons. Expect a big wave count and a wide variety of attempts.

Ramzi Boukhaim

The rocking Moroccan is in real need of a big result after three shockers so far — largely due to too many falls. Despite being known for his backhand attack, Ramzi has a tight forehand carve that stands out and could suit the Kiwi walls well. While most eyes are on the right-handers on tour, don’t be surprised if Ramzi puts up huge numbers here.

Erin Brooks

It’s safe to say Erin Brooks will be super excited to surf on her forehand. From what we’ve seen so far at Cloudbreak and other peeling lefts, her relentless critical attack stands at a level above all others. If she can overcome the pressure she’s under for a good result (following three throwaways), then Erin’s performances should make her the clear favourite.

Caity Simmers

Too good not to be a pick at every event. The only thing that sometimes gets Caity, due to her size, is looking overpowered by certain conditions such as Margaret River and Bells. That shouldn’t be the case at Raglan, and expect a high-fi approach akin to Griffin Colapinto — something we likely won’t see from many, if any, of the other regular-footed women.

Nadia Erostarbe

Proud Basque (aren’t they all?), Nadia had a breakthrough performance and result on her backhand at Snapper. But let’s not forget she’s more than used to jamming things on the forehand, as she has more experience than most at Mundaka. Add in the comfort that comes from growing up in wetsuits, and this really could be a great end to the Australasian leg for the powerful goofy-footer.

Carissa Moore

It’s been the return that so many wanted to see. An invested and powerful return from Carissa Moore, who looks as comp-savvy and skillset-heavy as she ever did. As ever, she will have done her homework, lined up the right local support crew, and will likely go deep into the event.

Steph Gilmore

Take away Steph’s fairytale Snapper win and it’s been an awkward return to Tour life for Steph. There’s a chance that the recent win gives her the belief and motivation to click into ultra mode for a full title run. There’s also the chance that it was a home-break anomaly and that her first two events of the year showed genuine competitive and skill-level rust. Add to that the fact that Steph is actually pretty weak on her backhand, and it’s not a radical thing to suggest that it would be a surprise if she makes it through her first heat.

The Holy Grail of Weird Waves?

Dylan Graves has built a cult following by hunting down the planet’s strangest surf spots in his YouTube series Weird Waves — but could his latest episode be his weirdest yet? Known for chasing everything from industrial river waves to sketchy novelty breaks hidden in plain sight, Graves thrives in the kind of surf missions that sound completely ridiculous on paper. With his laid-back humour and curiosity for surfing’s oddball subcultures, each episode feels less like a polished travel show and more like an unpredictable scavenger hunt for waves nobody else would think to ride.

Hit play to see what is possibly the weirdest yet, as Dylan and Anthony Walsh tap into a sketchy Australia tidal rapid with monster hold downs.

Happy Birthday Sir David

David Attenborough has given a voice not only to the oceans but to all life on Earth, revealing the fragile beauty and interconnectedness of every species with unmatched passion and clarity. Can we take a moment to wish Sir David Attenborough a very happy 100th birthday, and honour his legacy by striving to keep our oceans and planet free from pollution, protecting every animal and safeguarding the future of the natural world we all share.

The greatest way we can honour David Attenborough’s legacy is by standing together to protect our planet, preserve our oceans, and safeguard the future of all wildlife for generations to come.

Undercurrents: A Story of Sisterhood and Resilience

Nazaré is the most intense and unpredictable surfing arena on earth. Undercurrents follows 16-year-old Brit Imari Hearn as she joins forces with big wave charger Laura Crane to face down the Portuguese behemoth for the very first time.

More than just a surfing spectacle, it’s an intimate exploration of mentorship, resilience, and the bond forged between two women taking on a formidable lineup and a male-dominated industry together.

Imari Hearn only began surfing three years ago, picking up the pastime on the sunny shores of Bali, where she’s lived her whole life. Since then, her rise has been meteoric – becoming the first British woman to win a Pro Junior event, earning an invitation to the prestigious Padang Cup and securing a sponsorship with O’Neill.

Originally hailing from North Devon, O’Neill teammate Laura Crane has emerged in recent years as one of the world’s most accomplished big wave women. When, in 2024, Imari approached her at an event and declared her ambition to surf Nazaré, it ignited a passion in Laura to begin opening doors that were never opened for her.

In Undercurrents, their journey together begins honing skills and trading tips in the tropical barrels of the Mentawai Islands. Then, as Atlantic storms loom, they head to Portugal, where the training starts in earnest. While Imari seeks to find her feet behind the jetski, Laura learns the challenges of pitching ice baths and infrared meditation to a sarcastic teenager. But beneath their playful dynamic is a single-minded focus on the challenge ahead. And when the right forecast finally arrives, there’s nothing left to do but get Imari out there and find out if she’s really got what it takes.

Ran: A Scandinavian Surfing Saga

Upon meeting Freddie Meadows in the summer of 2022, I immediately cast my doubt of surfing in the Baltic sea. Sweden was both a place I never thought I’d visit, nor would ever aspire to find waves… but through the charm of Freddie and my insatiable curiosity, I couldn’t resist a simple visit.

Thousands of kilometres later, I can safely say we have scoured as much coastline as the Baltic has to offer, with some North Sea sojourns in the mix. The waves we found, while often fleeting, poised challenges that took my breath away. Anything from snow storms to 1 hour swell windows kept us on our toes, and as Freddie showed me the landscape of his home, I in turn learnt just how passionate and extreme these surfers are.

And while so many sessions added up to cancel my initial doubt, Freddie’s dreams came to fruition early last year when a big wave showed signs of promise. We rallied for a mission that brought together ourselves and others like Nic Von Rupp and Andrew Cotton, and on a morning when snow fell at our feet… we scored waves that rivalled that of Tahiti and Fiji on their day of the year.

The Baltic Sea and Arctic Circle is an area of the world that imbues nothing but inspiration, hardship, and most importantly, reward for those that are ready to push their limits.

This film is a testament to Freddie’s will, my curiosity, and everything that we experienced together. I am forever proud of him, and in turn I am honoured to share what I see as scratching the surface into my frozen odyssey.

Best, Morgan Maassen

Western Australia Margaret River Pro

Today, George Pittar (AUS) and Lakey Peterson (USA) won the Western Australia Margaret River Pro, Stop No. 2 of the 2026 World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT), in front of a huge Sunday crowd at Main Break. For Peterson, it was her second victory at this location, while it was Pittar’s maiden win at the elite level. After a long week of stormy, onshore conditions, the Finals were contested on the last day of the 11-day window under clear blue skies on a perfect, clean, three-to-four foot waves at Margaret River’s Main Break.   This year’s Western Australia Margaret River Pro plays as the second event in the 2026 GWM Aussie Treble, which celebrates the best men's and women's performers across the three major events in Australia. With a runner-up finish today, Gabriel Medina (BRA) has moved into top spot on the rankings, joining Gabriela Bryan (HAW) on the women’s side. To claim the prize of a GWM Tank 300 at the end of the Gold Coast event, the pair will need another major result, with Bryan sitting on equal points as Lakey Peterson (USA), and less than 1,000 points separating Medina in first from Pittar and Miguel Pupo (BRA) in second and third, respectively.

Pittar Completes Stunning Giant-Slaying Run to Claim First CT Victory  

The giant-slaying run of George Pittar (AUS) that began in his very first heat of the event continued all the way through to an inaugural CT victory for the 23-year-old from Sydney’s Northern Beaches. Opening with a win over two-time World Champion Filipe Toledo (BRA), Pittar took down every single men’s World Champion currently on Tour on his road to victory, including reigning World Champion Yago Dora (BRA) and 2019 World Champion Italo Ferreira (BRA), before his major victory over three-time World Champion Gabriel Medina (BRA) in the Final. Largely growing up in the island nation of Vanuatu, Pittar came from relative obscurity to qualify for the Challenger Series in his first major attempt, before quickly qualifying for the CT. Pittar put the Tour on notice with a Semifinal berth as a wildcard in Margaret River in 2024, before falling victim to the Mid-season Cut at the same location in his Rookie season in 2025. Now returning as an early front-runner in the rankings at World No. 2 following his first event win outside of junior competition, Pittar has placed himself firmly in the limelight. 

"I played ['Walking on a Dream'] the other morning. That's what it's felt like this week, honestly," Pittar said. "I can't even believe it. Those matchups I had, this comp, every one of them just felt like there was no way. And then they gifted me waves every time I was having a heat. I had three in a row where I got a wave in the last minute. It's just crazy. Last year, I got cut here. Just before that Final, I went and sat where I sat last year when I fell off Tour, and I was like, wow, it's kind of crazy how different the feelings are right now. And then to go out in the final against [Gabriel] Medina, who's someone I've looked up to since I was a kid and such a crazy competitor, he's just a giant in my book. To have him in the Final and then to get a couple and win it, I don't have too many words. But just doing it in front of everyone here, I feel like everyone in W.A. has been so great to me ever since I started coming here and it's such a special place." 

Pittar stayed patient to open the Final, with Medina posting two small scores before the Australian opened his account. The approach paid off, with Pittar holding the higher number of 6.17. A priority error from Medina was ultimately the turning point, as Pittar capitalized on the switch by immediately posting the highest single-wave score of the event, a 9.00 (out of a possible 10). Across his career so far, Pittar has proved to be in the upper echelon rail surfing in the world, a fact he made clear with a series of four sharp turns held as high and tight as possible in the wave. A stunned Medina continued attacking, but was unable to crack into the excellent range requirement that Pittar had placed on him.  

"I'm shaking right now, man, that was a full dream coming up there," Pittar continued. "I can't believe I'm holding this flag right now. I had to [have the faith that I could win]. I can't think I'm just another number making up the rankings anymore. I want to be on here. I want to be a competitor. I want to be at the top. To hold this flag on a special weekend for everyone, like the Anzacs. Coming down here, listening to the trumpets yesterday morning, it was shivers. I was looking at those semis yesterday, and it was just all Brazilians and me, and I was like, gotta do it. It's so hard to win one of these comps. I can't believe I just did it."

Peterson Claims Seventh CT Victory With Second Margaret River Win  

Lakey Peterson (USA) claimed her seventh CT event win at the Western Australia Margaret River Pro, adding a second victory at the venue to her 2019 win. One of the longest-standing CT members, Peterson defeated a trio of three younger goofy-footers, Erin Brooks (CAN), Caroline Marks (USA) and Sawyer Lindblad (USA), on her road to the Final. Today’s win marked the 31-year-old’s first repeat success at a venue after topping the podium at a wide variety of locations across her 13 seasons on Tour. Admittedly being scared of the lineup at Main Break in the early part of her career, Peterson has come to love the event as one of her top-performing Tour stops. 

"I can't believe it, really. It just kind of happened this week, it all fell into place. When the ocean's working with you, it's a nice thing," Peterson said. "I work really hard, we all do, it's just nice when it pays off. I've been doing this a really long time, and it's cool to prove to myself, like, I can still do this. I can still win these events. There's a lot of chitter chatter about all the young girls, and they're amazing, and they push me so much, but I'm still here. I love it here. It's beautiful, it's gorgeous. The people are amazing. They show up every single time. To win twice out here is a dream. If you would have told me that when I was 10-years-old, there's no way I would have believed you. Any young girls or boys out there that have dreams, don't ever give up on them because things happen in life that you don't expect if you keep working hard."  

Peterson utilised her years of experience competing at Main Break to select prime opportunities to strike. After defeating Lindblad, the 2024 event runner-up, in the Semifinals by attacking the right with her unique blend of power and flow, Peterson opened the Final on a left. With only a small score locking in, Peterson returned to her forte, building her scoreline with each wave surfed. In the meantime, Luana Silva (BRA) posted similar but smaller scores than the Californian. Close to the five-minute mark, Silva unleashed on the biggest wave of the Final to earn its highest number, a 6.83, and claim the lead. Needing a 6.01, Peterson soon replied with an aggressive two-turn combo, with the number arriving as a 6.40 to deliver the event win.  

"It was hard out there. It's beautiful and there's good ones, but it's hard to find anything with a good wall," Peterson continued. "That's why you do it, though. Those are the moments. I knew she was going to get the score and I knew I was going to have under five minutes to get, to try again. All the glory to God, that was amazing, sent me the right wave at the right time. Huge shout out to Luana [Silva]. We train together all the time and she's made three Finals in the last year. I just told her that her win's coming. She's surfing so solid and she's such a cool person. I'm psyched though, that was so, so sick."

Medina Reclaims No. 1 Ranking With Yellow Jersey in Powerful Return to Tour  

The return of Gabriel Medina (BRA) to the CT following a year away due to injury has seen the kick-off to his 13th season as one of his strongest yet. Prior to competition starting in 2026, the 32-year-old announced a number change on his jersey from 10 to 1, making his intentions clear. Following his 33rd CT Final, and for the first time since his last World Title victory in 2021, Medina is No. 1 in the world. The three-time World Champion will once again wear the Yellow Leaders Jersey when the Bonsoy Gold Coast Pro Presented by GWM begins on May 1.  

"I just want to thank God for the opportunity; it's been amazing," Medina said. "I've been enjoying my ride. Last year was a tough one to stay away from surf competitions, and I'm finally back. I feel good to put a jersey and go out there and do my best. It's been so good here. I've been going to the wineries, been surfing around, just enjoying, having a good time. I was a little scared before Bells because I didn't know what I was going to do. I was so worried, but now I feel good. I'm happy with the Yellow Jersey. It's been a long time, I miss it. It was with one of my best friends, Miguel [Pupo], just before, so I'll take it, thanks, Mig. It's just a jersey, I feel like I have to work more. The year is just beginning, so let's do it."

Silva Continues Rapid Rise With Runner-Up Finish at Margaret River  

Luana Silva (BRA) furthered her best start to a season yet with the third CT runner-up finish of her career. The 21-year-old has bettered her rankings across each of her three prior years on Tour, placing in the Top 10 for the first time in 2025. Since making her first CT Finals Day with a Quarterfinal finish at Sunset Beach in her Rookie season, Silva has continued to refine her powerful approach in heavy waves to now be considered amongst the best on Tour. The Brazilian has defeated all three of Australia’s World Champions currently on Tour across the two events so far in the 2026 season, proving herself to be a contender in this year’s World Title race.  

"It's been an incredible start to the year," Silva said. "I couldn't thank Leandro [Dora] and Penguin [Henrique Pinguim], that I have by my side this year, enough. I wanted to go one more so bad, but if it wasn't me, it had to be Lakey [Peterson]. She shares Leandro with me. We work together, she's my sparring partner. It's a full circle moment. I used to watch Lakey's movie, 'Zero to 100' on Netflix, and Nike 'Leave a Message'. Her and Carissa [Moore]'s parts were my favorite in the movie. I'm really happy for her. I'm really stoked with my performance, and I'm really excited for this next year."