Billy Stairmand Announced As Wildcard For Raglan CT

Nine-time New Zealand National Champ, 15-year warlord of the QS/CS, and Raglan local, the beloved Billy Stairmand, has been handed the WSL wildcard for the first-ever CT event in New Zealand.

Quey Grinder is a term that gets thrown around a lot, but none fit the title quite like Billy. After 15 years of circuit-bashing, he’s racked up a Gold Coast QS victory in 2019, bagged the Mad Mex Maroubra Pro in 2021, and even snuck in a runner-up finish in Spain back in 2013. He’s paid his dues, logged the miles, and now, he finally gets his shot, right there at home.

“I’ve been on the QS and Challenger Series for over 15 years now, knocking on the door of the Championship Tour and have come close a few times,” Billy said. “But now, to get that opportunity and for it to be at home, in my backyard and in front of all of my friends, family, community, and country, is such a huge honour and privilege. I’ve been dreaming of competing on the CT, and to do it at home is just crazy.”

But, not everyone is pleased. The ‘wildcard snub’ of Raglan’s other kingpin, Luke Cederman, has sparked some wailing and gnashing of teeth in the dark corners of the web. But, though the cry is free, it is in fact baseless.

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There’s still another wildcard slot up for grabs, reserved for the winner of the local trials, set to run before the CT comp. And now that Billy’s been removed from the draw, Cederman’s chances just got a little better.

Allow yourself a moment to imagine the glorious content @raglansurfreport would flood us with if he claims that wildcard. Dare to dream.

The New Zealand Pro is scheduled to run at Manu Bay, Raglan, from May 15–25.