World Surf League Raglan 2026: NZ's top surfer breaks down slang for dummies

Summer may be over, but the best surfers on the planet are about to descend on Raglan to compete in a landmark moment for surfing in Aotearoa. 

The World Surf League (WSL) is headed to the left-hand point break of Manu Bay in Raglan on May 15th for the Corona Cero New Zealand Pro presented by Bonsoy.

Our very own Kiwi shredder, Billy Stairmand, will be getting amongst the action, in what's set to be an unmissable event that puts our little slice of paradise on the world stage. 

Storme from Mai FM caught up with Billy to learn some surf lingo so those of us not in the know can head along without sounding like a total kook. 

Surf Lingo Decoded: 

• Ragdolled: Being tossed around in the water by a breaking wave.

• Doggy door: Coming out of a barrel at the very last second before the wave closes out.

• Cutback: A sharp, sweeping turn made on the face of the wave back toward the breaking part (the pocket) to stay in the wave's power zone. 

• Grommet: A young surfer or kid.

• Mush burger: A wave that is fat and mushy rather than high-quality.

• A-frame: A wave at a beach break that has a peak and breaks perfectly in both directions, forming an "A" shape.

• Surfing the gnar: Riding massive or powerful waves.

• Duck dive: The essential technique used when paddling out, where you push your surfboard underwater beneath an oncoming breaking wave.

• Kook: A novice or inexperienced surfer. 

• Closeout: A wave that breaks all at once across the entire face, making it impossible to ride along the shoulder. 

• Snaking: A selfish tactic where a surfer paddles around another surfer to steal their priority or position for a wave. 

The fourth stop on the 2026 Championship Tour will be in Raglan until the 25th May, so you'll have heaps of time to practice your chat and scope out those A-frames!