Early exits for Kiwi hopefuls at New Zealand Pro surf champs in Raglan

All three local hopes have been knocked out of the New Zealand Pro surf championship at Raglan in the first round.

Early exits for Kiwi hopefuls at New Zealand Pro surf champs in Raglan. All three local hopes have been knocked out of the New Zealand Pro surf championship at Raglan in the first round. The World Surf League arrived at Manu Bay on Friday, marking the first time New Zealand has hosted a combined men's and women's Championship Tour event. Thousands of spectators gathered along the shoreline to watch the world's best surfers tackle one of the most famous left-hand breaks in the world. Fifteen-year-old local wildcard Alani Morse was beaten in the first round by 13th seed Bettylou Sakura Johnson of Hawaii. Morse, who took the day off school to compete against her heroes, told the World Surf League (WSL) it was an amazing experience. "It was such an honour, to share the line-up with those girls ... I can't think of anything more special ... I'...