The women stormed their debuts at the World Surf League (WSL) WRV Outer Banks Pro presented by Pacifico, a men’s and women’s Qualifying Series (QS) 1,000, with top-seeded competitors making their moves over early success stories. The Round of 36 and Round of 32 wrapped to set up all-important Quarterfinal bouts as the men’s Round of 64 was called OFF for the day.
Eden Walla’s Impressive Start Leads Women’s First Bouts
Smaller conditions were no stress for an in-forn Eden Walla (USA) once she found her rhythm against recent Virginia Beach Pro winner Alana Lopez(USA), who also advanced, Mya Kuzmavich (PUR), and Camden Hoover(USA). Walla built her foundation early before posting an impressive 6.80 (out of a possible 10) on her forehand attack and added a 6.50 to accrue the day’s best heat total of a 13.30 (out of a possible 20).
“It feels great to make my first heat and make it with a few scores,” said Walla. “I wasn’t super stoked with my result in Virginia Beach, but I’m just happy to have another chance a few days later. It’s tough facing Alana [Lopez] and all those girls since they are really good surfers, but it always feels nice to get going with a heat win.”
Zoey Kaina Brings Her Bravado to the Outer Banks
Emerging QS contender Zoey Kaina (USA) continues to put on great performances no matter the conditions and pushed her WRV Outer Banks Pro debut to a 13.10 heat total. Kaina’s ability to push her forehand attack into sections keeps adding impressive scores to her resume, notching a 7.25 to take a win over Taylor Stacy (USA), who also advanced, who posted the day’s best single-scoring wave of a 7.75. Now, Kaina, 13, looks to add her name to another East Coast Final and earn a total of 1,800 points to finish the stint of events.
“It feels good to be back here and try to get some waves,” said Kaina. “My strategy was to get a wave right off the start and then back it up quick. You have to be really wise when it comes to using priority in these types of waves. I want to thank my family and friends and sponsors for supporting me.”
Defending Event Winner Sanoa Dempfle-Olin Back in Winning Form
Kicking off the Round of 32, defending event victor Sanoa Dempfle-Olin (CAN) picked up where she left off with more success to send her straight to the Quarterfinals. Dempfle-Olin’s incredible year already has one QS Final appearance, a qualification toward the 2024 World Junior Championships and a showing in Tahiti at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Now, she looks to secure her place toward the top of the rankings with a big result here in the Outer Banks.
“This was my first QS win here last year so there’s a lot of good memories and the waves aren’t as good as they were then, but it feels good to make that heat,” said Dempfle-Olin. “It’s nice to be back and hopefully get some more waves the next few days. Usually after an event you have some time so to have one a couple days after you get to stay in that focus zone and more opportunity so I like it a lot.”
Big Round of 32 heat wins from Avery McDonald (USA) and Zoe Chait (USA) add their names to the Quarterfinal contenders with momentum in their corner.
Event organizers will reconvene at 7:00 a.m. EDT for a possible 7:30 a.m. EDT.
WRV Outer Banks Pro Women’s Round of 32 (Heats 1 – 5) Results:
HEAT 1: Sanoa Dempfle-Olin (CAN) 10.45 DEF. Faviola Alcala (PUR) 10.25, Ava Earle (USA) 4.65, Maddie Stanton (USA) 3.25
HEAT 2: Eden Walla (USA) 13.30 DEF. Alana Lopez (USA) 12.35, Mya Kuzmovich (PUR) 10.10, Camden Hoover (USA) 4.45
HEAT 3: Zoey Kaina (USA) 13.10 DEF. Taylor Stacy (USA) 11.80, Victoria Duprat (USA) 10.65, Jolari Carreras (PUR) 7.75
HEAT 4: Zoe Chait (USA) 9.40 DEF. Ayla Stutzman (USA) 7.55, Brynley Beckman (USA) 7.15, Bailey Turner (USA) 6.15
HEAT 5: Avery McDonald (USA) 12.00 DEF. Kaydn Persidok (USA) 8.15, Sara Freyre (USA) 7.05, Bella Faircloth (USA) 6.45
WRV Outer Banks Pro Women’s Round of 32 (Heats 6 – 8) Matchups:
HEAT 6: Kylie Pulcini (USA) vs. Daya McCart (USA) vs. Carlie Eastwood (USA) vs. Mia Calderon (PUR)
HEAT 7: Vela Mattive (USA) vs. Mia Moore (USA) vs. Míamar Soto (PUR) vs. Zoe Panettiere (USA)
HEAT 8: Lanea Mons (USA) vs. Ava Wagester (USA) vs. Ellie Barimo (USA) vs. Skylar Steinmetz (USA)
WRV Outer Banks Pro Men’s Round of 64 Matchups:
HEAT 1: Blayr Barton (USA) vs. Titus Kaimana Santucci (USA) vs. Carl Burger (USA) vs. Benji Lange (USA)
HEAT 2: Kei Kobayashi (USA) vs. Anthony Fillingim (CRC) vs. Tex Mitchell (USA) vs. Lukas McMahon (FIN)
HEAT 3: Jake Davis (USA) vs. Parker Cohn (USA) vs. Kai Gale Grani (PAN) vs. Teo Grani (PAN)
HEAT 4: Taro Watanabe (USA) vs. Dwight Pastrana (PUR) vs. Caleb Crozier (USA) vs. Oscar Urbina (CRC)
HEAT 5: Lucas Owston (USA) vs. Tomas King (CRC) vs. Giorgio Gomez (COL) vs. Ryder Smith (USA)
HEAT 6: Tyler Gunter (USA) vs. Reed Platenius (CAN) vs. Jake Dodson (USA) vs. Miles McCall (USA)
HEAT 7: Luke Guinaldo (USA) vs. Manuel Selman (CHL) vs. Cose Stoyanoff (USA) vs. Gavin Bren (USA)
HEAT 8: Michael Dunphy (USA) vs. Sebastian Llompart (PRI) vs. Makai Castle (USA) vs. Teddy Wittemann (USA)
HEAT 9: Owen Moss (USA) vs. Chase Niemann (USA) vs. Laird Lavik (USA) vs. Thomas Meekins (USA)
HEAT 10: Kai Kushner (USA) vs. Will Deane (USA) vs. Matton Bain (USA) vs. Mikel Kauffmann (PRI)
HEAT 11: Sam Reidy (CRC) vs. Tosh Talbot (CRC) vs. Sebastian Mendes (USA) vs. Eeli Timperi (FIN)
HEAT 12: Wheeler Hasburgh (CAN) vs. Kepa Mendia (USA) vs. Nadav Attar (ISR) vs. Gabriel Griffin (USA)
HEAT 13: Taj Lindblad (USA) vs. Rex Hennings (USA) vs. Mason O’Toole (USA) vs. William Hedleston (USA)
HEAT 14: Cannon Carr (USA) vs. Greyson Grant (SWE) vs. Logan Radd (USA) vs. Remy Armstrong (USA)
HEAT 15: Ryland Rubens (USA) vs. Dylan Hord (USA) vs. Nicolás Epps (PRI) vs. Luke Godinez (USA)
HEAT 16: Ryan Huckabee (USA) vs. Kai Barton (USA) vs. Loyal Kenworthy (USA) vs. Declan Fitzgerald (USA)
Watch Live
The WRV Outer Banks Pro presented by Pacifico will run August 28 through September 1. Once called ON, the event will be streamed live at WorldSurfLeague.com, WSL YouTube channel, and the free WSL App.