Surfer Dies at Legendary New Zealand Pointbreak

The exquisite lineup at Raglan on New Zealand's North Island is more renowned for its perfection and pastoral beauty than its heaviness, but tragedy has struck the iconic pointbreak as a surfer has died while surfing there.

Reportedly surfing at Whale Bay near Raglan, the man was unresponsive when Raglan Surf Life Saving personel brought him to shore. Attempts to revive him on the beach were sadly unsuccessful.

“Two lifeguards responded by Inflatable Rescue Boat (IRB) following reports of a potential medical incident at the popular surf break at approximately 2.30pm, where conditions were favourable for surfing," a Surf Life Saving New Zealand spokesperson told the New Zealand Herald.

“They collected the unresponsive patient and returned them to the surf club at Ngarunui Beach, where an ambulance was waiting," they continued.

Five lifeguards are reported to have worked on the victim for over 20 minutes, but their efforts ultimately proved to be in vain. The surf in the area was in the four- to six-foot zone.

The identity of the victim has not been released at this time. Pronounced dead on the scene, the case has been turned over to the local corner to further investigate the matter.