Historical Day of Competition Opens Proceedings at Corona Cero New Zealand Pro Presented by Bonsoy

MANU BAY, Raglan, New Zealand - Manu Bay in Raglan has seen history made today with the first men's and women's combined CT heats on Kiwi shores being completed at the Corona Cero New Zealand Pro Presented by Bonsoy. 

Current World No. 1 Gabriel Medina (BRA) was a standout performer on Day 1 of the 2026 Corona Cero New Zealand Pro Presented by Bonsoy. Credit: WSL / Ed Sloane

Stop No. 4 of the 2026 World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT). The high-performance walls of Manu Bay turned on super fun, at times slow, clean waves in the three-to-four foot range. The world's best put on a show for large crowds who lined the point to see the completion of men's and women's Round One, along with the first 8 heats of men's Round Two.

Moore Finds Her Best Form of the Season on Special Return to New Zealand

A solid opening performance from Carissa Moore (HAW) set the standard for the women for the day. The five-time World Champion and Olympic Gold Medalist posted her first excellent heat total of the season, 16.34 (out of a possible 20), highlighted by an 8.67 (out of a possible 10), the highest single-wave score of the day for the women. Facing CT sophomore Bella Kenworthy (USA), whose family she has regularly stayed with since Kenworthy was very young, Moore put her powerful backhand on show, seamlessly linking tight hooks in the pocket down the line of the long lefts. Having claimed the first win of her rookie CT season at Taranaki in 2010, after which she donated all of her prize money to the local boardriders club, Moore feels a special connection to the country and couldn't be happier to see the CT return to New Zealand.

"It's so good to be back. New Zealand has had a special place in my heart and will forever," Moore said. "I was really struggling my rookie year. I started off with two last places, and then I came here and found a sense of community and home and love and aloha, and I got my first win on the CT. It really feels so special to be back here and bring my daughter. I haven't had the best start this year either. Something about this place just brings you back to what's most important and meaningful. The sense of love and aloha here is really strong, so it reminds me a bit of home. I also want to give a huge shout-out to Bella [Kenworthy], too. That was a really special heat. I've known her since she was a mini grom and I absolutely adore their family. I love them so much."

Medina and Toledo Dominant as Brazilian World Champions Set Up Round Three Rematch

Two of Brazil's four World Champions on Tour set themselves with a second consecutive head-to-head matchup after they appeared in one of the heats of the event on the Gold Coast. Gabriel Medina (BRA) and Filipe Toledo (BRA) will once again meet in Round Three following dominant heat wins from the pair today. Medina relished the opportunity to perform on his forehand, staying highly active in his Round Two match-up against Eli Hanneman (HAW). Catching double the waves of the Hawaiian, 12 in total, Medina seemed willing to take off on anything in search of a score, delivering air reverses on almost every wave. It was a tweaked version of the maneuver that secured his highest number, a 7.67. A second score in the 7-point range for an equally tweaked layback provided a final heat total of 15.20 for the current World No. 1.

"There are so many people here, that's really good for surfing. To have people around, just screaming your name, it feels really good," Medina said. "The kids are the best part of this world, I think. They are so pure. They love you because they love you; it's a true sentiment. I know it's special because we don't come here often, so it's good to give back some love to them. I'm stoked to see everyone is happy here today. It's special to be in New Zealand. This is my second time here, so I feel great to have the support. I was catching waves, just keeping busy. Going left is always fun. I'm stoked to be surfing today."

It was Filipe Toledo (BRA) who posted the highest single wave score of the day, however, with an 8.83. Choosing to compete on a totally different board from the rest of the field, a wide, low-rockered twin with trailer, Toledo carried his trademark speed throughout all of his waves, no matter the size. One of the biggest waves of the day delivered the high mark, with the two-time World Champion connecting with major sections all the way through to the boat ramp. Having opened with a 6.83, Toledo left good friend and fellow Brazilian Joao Chianca (BRA) in need of near perfection for much of the heat.

"Joao [Chianca] and I are good friends. I'm living in Rio now, and we've been surfing together on the off-season a bunch," Toledo said. "That's what happens when there are too many Brazilians on Tour, and the same with Australians and everybody, you're for sure going to end up surfing against your friend. That's where you have to really lock in. I chose different equipment for this heat, surfing on a Modern 2. It's a model that Marcio [Zouvi] worked on for a few years, and we came up with that model. The board feels really, really good, and that wave stood up the whole way, that's the Raglan that we want, the wave that we want."

Goofy-footers Revel in Raglan's High-Performance Lefts

The many goofy-footers on Tour were excited to take on the first dedicated left of the season, especially on a high-performance point. Vahine Fierro (FRA), Erin Brooks (CAN) and Alyssa Spencer (USA) were the first to take advantage, with Gabriel Medina (BRA) leading the charge for the men.

Competing in her second season on Tour, Brooks has experienced a slow start, winning just a single heat out of the previous three events. The 2025 Rookie of the Year claimed a Wildcard CT win at Cloudbreak, Fiji in 2024, the last time a Tour event was held in similar conditions, and is excited to once again showcase her forehand. Brooks attacked the pocket with critical hacks mixed with tight wraps to post a 14.20 heat total. After a close opening exchange with Yolanda Hopkins (POR) went the way of the Portuguese Rookie, Brooks responded with a 7.50 and maintained the lead from there. The 18-year-old feels like she still has plenty more to offer, however.

"I've really been looking forward to going left. This spot couldn't have come any faster," Brooks said. "I was clenching my toes as hard as I could out there to make sure I stayed on the board. I was super, super nervous. I haven't really had the best start to the year, so it was really important to me to make that heat. Hopefully, we get some different conditions, so I'm able to try some airs because I know a lot of people are messaging me, and that's kind of what they want to see from me. Hopefully, I can show them that side of my surfing."

The opening heat of the event was taken out by Vahine Fierro (FRA), who defeated Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), one of three surfers in the draw to have previously won a CT event in New Zealand. Fierro had a slow build before finding an open canvas to deliver slashing laybacks alongside clean rail work on the wind-affected faces and post the high point of the heat, a 6.83, while Fitzgibbons struggled to break out of the 5-point range. Growing up in Tahiti, Fierro feels a strong connection to the Polynesian roots of Aotearoa, which was highlighted during the local Maori community's powerful Powhiri welcoming ceremony.

"It's such an honor to be the first heat ever out here at Raglan for the CT and sharing it with Sally [Fitzgibbons] was a really big heat for me," Fierro said. "The opening ceremony, I think it's called Powhiri here, and it was just goosebumps everywhere. The way they all sang together. They did the Maori show, and then they sat us down, and it was very powerful, very intense. They're like our brothers and sisters from another island. We're the Polynesian triangle, New Zealand, Hawai'i and Tahiti and all the islands in the middle. It was our biggest honour to be a little part of that ceremony and share some of our Polynesian culture. It was a great reminder from this opening ceremony to be true to who we are, be true to where we come from, and share it with the next generation."

Zebrowski and Moniz Claim First Heat Win of the Season

One of the most heralded Rookies to arrive on Tour in recent years, Tya Zebrowski (FRA), set many new records on her qualification journey, but was unable to make it out of Round One across the GWM Aussie Treble. The 15-year-old claimed the first CT heat win of her career after defeating Bonsoy Gold Coast Pro standout Nadia Erostarbe (ESP). After a dominant run on the Challenger Series saw her feature in the Finals Day of all seven events, Zebrowski has had to adjust to a new experience at the highest level. Posting the second-highest heat total of the round, 14.60, aided in her confidence that the tide is starting to turn.

"I've finally been able to pass the first round, and it feels incredible to finally do an interview and not always losing," Zebrowski said. "Leo [Fioravanti] told me that it was way harder than the Challenger Series, like a completely different mood and vibe between the other surfers and the judges and just surfing. The first three events, I was trying to get used to it, and I made a couple of mistakes too, and I'm just learning, and that is how I grow up. It's kind of hard at the start, but I think the machine is starting, so I just hope I continue like that."

Another surfer to claim his first heat win of the season was Seth Moniz (HAW), whose lowered seed landed him in Round One for the first time. The Hawaiian was able to overcome Ramzi Boukhiam (MAR), who has also struggled to find a heat win this year in his return from injury. Moniz is hoping to see the demotion as positive and hopes to use the early momentum as fuel for his next matchup against 2019 World Champion Italo Ferreira (BRA) in Round Two.

"Everybody on Tour this year is so gnarly," Moniz said. "I wasn't very happy to start in that round, but it's almost good for me to just surf and catch waves and get a warm-up before the main event. If the cut was here, I would probably be off tour already. It's event number four. I haven't even made a heat yet, but I'm really excited. We have a long year to go, a bunch of events that I'm looking forward to. I've never been here before, it's my first time, but I feel really grounded, and the people here have been super welcoming to me. It's amazing to see the culture is so vibrant and alive. It makes me proud to be Polynesian and to share a piece."

Taking his second heat win for the season was Indonesian competitor Rio Waida (INA), who posted the equal third highest heat total of the event to overcome an in-form Connor O'Leary (JPN) in Heat 7 of Round One. Growing up on the long groomed lefts of Bali's Bukit Peninsula, Waida's backhand surfing has seen him achieve the best results of his career, and with his performance today, which saw him post a 15.20 two-wave combination, has sent a signal to the rest of the field.

Kiwi Wildcards Exit but Leave Their Mark on Historic CT Debut

The local crowd had a lot to cheer for as all three of the Kiwi Wildcards, Alani Morse (NZL), Tom Butland (NZL) and Billy Stairmand (NZL) competed in back-to-back heats. Though they weren't able to push through to Round Two, the trio were loving every minute of the CT's debut at Manu Bay. Morse was the first to appear, facing Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW) in the final heat of women's Round One. The roar of the crowd could be heard on every turn the 15-year-old delivered, but experience prevailed as Johnson took the win. The Raglan Surfing Academy student who was skipping a day from school, Morse, was thrilled to be amongst the world's best at her home break.

"It was such an honour to share the lineup with those girls, Steph [Gilmore], Bettylou [Sakura Johnson], Anat [Lelior], I couldn't think of anything more special, honestly," Morse said. "To represent this Kiwi flag with pride, it's so special for me. I love this sport, I'm just super excited to be here, what an opportunity. My heart is so full. This community is incredible. The support is amazing from both Raglan and New Zealand. I can't even explain how that support has been to me. This success is not just mine, it's everyone's, and it's super cool to share that journey and that experience with them. On the beach, everyone's cheering, and I felt like they're out there with me. I just think that that's the best thing in the world and probably one of the best experiences I've had in my life."

Butland and Stairmand went down in subsequent heats to Luke Thompson (RSA) and Morgan Cibilic (AUS), respectively. Both put up strong fights, with Stairmand showing glimpses of the form that has kept him in the CT qualification conversation for more than a decade, but a strong start from Cibilic set the CT returner up with the highest heat total of the round. After so many years competing around the world, Stairmand, the local Raglan surfer and two-time Olympian, was proud to be able to don a CT jersey for the first time ever at home.

"Coming up against anyone in this competition is always going to be a big task, but honestly, I've just felt the love all week," Stairmand said. "Obviously, I really wanted to do well in this event, and I believed I could, but unfortunately, Mother Nature didn't really play ball at the end there. I'm stoked, I'm happy, I'm healthy. I've got my friends and family here, and there's a lot of love and support around. Now I can kind of sit back and enjoy the show and give back to the kids in a way and just have fun with it." Corona Cero New Zealand Pro Presented by Bonsoy

Men's Round One Results

HEAT 1: Luke Thompson (RSA) 12.50 DEF. Tom Butland (NZL) 10.10
HEAT 2: Morgan Cibilic (AUS) 14.50 DEF. Billy Stairmand (NZL) 12.97
HEAT 3: Eli Hanneman (HAW) 13.50 DEF. Oscar Berry (AUS) 13.33
HEAT 4: Seth Moniz (HAW) 12.10 DEF. Ramzi Boukhiam (MAR) 11.40

Corona Cero New Zealand Pro Presented by Bonsoy Women's Round One Results

HEAT 1: Vahine Fierro (FRA) 12.60 DEF. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 10.60
HEAT 2: Erin Brooks (CAN) 14.20 DEF. Yolanda Hopkins (POR) 11.30
HEAT 3: Tyler Wright (AUS) 12.50 DEF. Francisca Veselko (POR) 10.27
HEAT 4: Carissa Moore (HAW) 16.34 DEF. Bella Kenworthy (USA) 12.43
HEAT 5: Alyssa Spencer (USA) 14.10 DEF. Brisa Hennessy (CRC) 11.74
HEAT 6: Tya Zebrowski (FRA) 14.60 DEF. Nadia Erostarbe (ESP) 10.73
HEAT 7: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 12.80 DEF. Anat Lelior (ISR) 5.87
HEAT 8: Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW) 14.16 DEF. Alani Morse (NZL) 8.30

Corona Cero New Zealand Pro Presented by Bonsoy Men's Round Two Results [Heats 1-8]

HEAT 1: Crosby Colapinto (USA) 10.70 DEF. Jordy Smith (RSA) 9.40
HEAT 2: Griffin Colapinto (USA) 14.17 DEF. Alan Cleland (MEX) 10.50
HEAT 3: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 15.20 DEF. Eli Hanneman (HAW) 10.06
HEAT 4: Filipe Toledo (BRA) 15.66 DEF. Joao Chianca (BRA) 10.84
HEAT 5: Liam O'Brien (AUS) 11.97 DEF. Jake Marshall (USA) 11.46
HEAT 6: Morgan Cibilic (AUS) 14.33 DEF. Ethan Ewing (AUS) 10.00
HEAT 7: Rio Waida (INA) 15.20 DEF. Connor O'Leary (JPN) 13.44
HEAT 8: Alejo Muniz (BRA) 15.50 DEF. George Pittar (AUS) 14.84

Corona Cero New Zealand Pro Presented by Bonsoy Men's Round Two Remaining Matchups [Heats 9 -16]

HEAT 9: Yago Dora (BRA) vs. Luke Thompson (RSA)
HEAT 10: Barron Mamiya (HAW) vs. Marco Mignot (FRA)
HEAT 11: Samuel Pupo (BRA) vs. Cole Houshmand (USA)
HEAT 12: Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) vs. Mateus Herdy (BRA)
HEAT 13: Italo Ferreira (BRA) vs. Seth Moniz (HAW)
HEAT 14: Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) vs. Joel Vaughan (AUS)
HEAT 15: Jack Robinson (AUS) vs. Kauli Vaast (FRA)
HEAT 16: Miguel Pupo (BRA) vs. Callum Robson (AUS)

Corona Cero New Zealand Pro Presented by Bonsoy Women's Round Two Matchups

HEAT 1: Gabriela Bryan (HAW) vs. Erin Brooks (CAN)
HEAT 2: Caitlin Simmers (USA) vs. Alyssa Spencer (USA)
HEAT 3: Luana Silva (BRA) vs. Tyler Wright (AUS)
HEAT 4: Sawyer Lindblad (USA) vs. Stephanie Gilmore (AUS)
HEAT 5: Molly Picklum (AUS) vs. Vahine Fierro (FRA)
HEAT 6: Isabella Nichols (AUS) vs. Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW)
HEAT 7: Lakey Peterson (USA) vs. Carissa Moore (HAW)
HEAT 8: Caroline Marks (USA) vs. Tya Zebrowski (FRA)

Watch LIVE: Corona Cero New Zealand Pro Presented by Bonsoy

The Corona Cero New Zealand Pro Presented by Bonsoy, Stop No. 4 of the 2026 World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT), will hold a competition window from May 15 - 25, 2026. The competition will be broadcast LIVE on WorldSurfLeague.com and the free WSL app. Also, check out more ways to watch from the WSL's broadcast partners.