Raglan is known as one of the planet’s quality left point breaks. But, naturally, the clips we are fed in our social media feeds of the wave are on the best swells and the best days. It’s perhaps not the most realistic way to judge what a wave is really like on a day-to-day basis.
For the first time, the global spotlight of a World Surf League Championship Tour event will scrutinize the wave as officials wait for the best windows to run the event. We’ll get a more intimate feel of what a contest featuring the world’s best surfers looks like at the wave.
Raw clips of a recent Connor O’Leary visit to the wave provide a glimpse of what a contest could look like there on the less-than-perfect days.
O’Leary took his forehand powersurfing to Raglan several weeks ago, gouging rail turns, and also adapting to the spot as he struggled to find his footing on some of his maneuvers. The sessions O’Leary surfed show a range of sections at Raglan — steep for critical maneuvers, fatter sections with wind bump, and even the odd barrel sections if the judges indicate that they’ll reward tube cover.
Overall, O’Leary looks strong at Raglan. Coming off a second place on the Gold Coast, he’ll be a threat for anyone to match up with. He’ll face Rio Waida in round two.
