New Zealand
Pro Wrap
After Snapper, Raglan asked different questions.
Manu Bay is a slow, long left-hander that rewards patience and punishes boards without speed. Conditions through the event were average at best — slopey faces, not much power in the lip, plenty of flat sections between opportunities.
Molly went deep, LOB made it to R3. Unfortunately, the rest went out early but stayed consistent with scores - just lucked out waves wise in their heats. After four events, the team is well-placed heading into El Salvador.
Liam O'Brien
Sharp, consistent, and right in the mix
Photo: WSL/Rambo Estrada
Photo: WSL/Rambo Estrada
Photo: WSL/Rambo Estrada
Molly Picklum
World champ. Quarter finals. Staying consistent.
Photo: WSL/Ed Sloane
Photo: WSL/Ed Sloane
Photo: WSL/Ed Sloane
Stephanie Gilmore
Early exit. But the surfing was there.
Ethan Ewing
Early exit. Sits sixth in the world.
Photo: WSL/Rambo Estrada
Connor O'Leary
Early exit. Twelfth and closing in on the top ten.
Photo: WSL/Rambo Estrada
MF Lightning
Raglan asks different questions than Snapper. Slow wave, long sections, not much energy in the lip. You need a board that finds speed early and keeps moving when the wave backs off.
That's what the MF Lightning does. Built off Mick's DNA platform, tuned for more everyday surf — more spark in weaker waves without dropping performance when the conditions improve. Across the event, Connor, Callum, Nadia, Luke, and Kika all rode it. Different sizes, different surfing. All after the same thing — speed from the first turn.
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Speed
Finds it early. Doesn't wait for the wave to give it to you.
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Drive
Enough down-the-line push to stay connected through flat sections.
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Accessible
Performance without needing perfect surf to feel it.
Same DNA bloodline. Built for the days when the waves aren't giving much back.
Mick's original MF Lightning
Five in the conversation heading into El Salvador
Molly's third.
Ethan's sixth.
Connor, LOB, Steph are all within striking range.
The rankings can move fast, one good event changes everything. After four stops, the team is in the right position — close enough that it counts, with the tour heading back to another right hand point, we're expecting fireworks from the team. Lets hope the waves come to play.