The World Surf League (WSL) WRV Outer Banks Pro presented by Pacifico, a men’s and women’s Qualifying Series (QS) 1,000, powered through opening day action. Men’s Round of 104 and 96 provided moments of magic with aerial antics and power surfing before the high tide overtook the swell, forcing event organizers to call competition off following the Round of 96. Now, the men’s top-seeded Round of 64 is set as women await their debuts.
Caleb Crozier Takes Flight, Notches Round of 96 Debut Win
A clutch performance from Caleb Crozier (USA) took the Southern California competitor soaring into the Round of 64 with his last-second aerial antics. Crozier needed an 6.16 (out of a possible 10) as he took off for his last attempt, with the clock expiring after he was to his feet, and landed an air reverse to secure a 7.50 and heat win over an in-form Teo Grani (PAN), who also advanced.
“I was in shambles just thinking God give me one more wave and I’ll do it,” said Crozier. “I heard the countdown and thought I could two turns or just go and saw the section for an air. Went for it and thank God I landed it. To be able to build off confidence is a dream and I’m stoked to build the house from here. I was so bummed in my Virginia Beach heat just needing a wave after getting a good score so I’m stoked we have waves here, it’s like a little Duranbah [Australia].”
Tex Mitchell Soars to Round of 64 with Early Success
Returning to the QS jersey in Virginia Beach and now the Outer Banks, Tex Mitchell (USA) reminded his opponents of his potential and boosted a straight air to set the tone in the Round of 96. Mitchell’s early exit in Virginia Beach only fueled the young Californian toward his debut here at the WRV Outer Banks to match the day’s best single-wave score of a 7.50.
“I was just trying to do turns and kept bogging so I was hoping I could get to that section and thankfully it gave me a little juice,” said Mitchell. “I really like it here. There’s a lot more scenery, cool vibes, good food, and the waves are super fun.”
Cose Stoyanoff Stays Strong for East Coast Contingent
The East Coast’s own Cose Stoyanoff (USA) put the field on early alert with a dynamic display of backhand surfing to accrue a 13.15 (out of a possible 20) heat total. Stoyanoff utilized his knowledge of this lineup, hailing from just up the highway in Virginia Beach and now looks for more against the top-seeded competitors.
“The pier bowl is so fun on my backhand and it feels good to see every wave I was doing better and better,” said Stoyanoff. “I was stoked when I got here and saw there were waves. I’m stoked for the rest of the week. It looks like fun waves Saturday and Sunday so I’m looking forward to trying to make some heats to get there.”
Also notching Round of 96 heat wins, Carl Burger (USA), Kai Gale Grani(PAN), Giorgio Gomez (COL), Jake Dodson (USA), Makai Castle (USA), Laird Lavik (USA), Matton Bain (USA), Sebastian Mendes (USA), Eeli Temperi (FIN), Mason O’Toole (USA), Logan Radd (USA), Nicolas Epps(PUR), all move into the Round of 64 with plenty of momentum.
Event organizers will reconvene at 7:30 a.m. EDT for a possible 8:00 a.m. EDT.
WRV Outer Banks Pro Men’s Round of 96 Results:
HEAT 1: Carl Burger (USA) 12.10 DEF. Lukas McMahon (FIN) 10.80, Shane McNulty (USA) 9.75, Tai Miller-Caraballo (PRI) 8.30
HEAT 2: Tex Mitchell (USA) 12.25 DEF. Benji Lange (USA) 11.30, Max Ascher (USA) 9.60, Gabriel De Araujo (USA) 8.25
HEAT 3: Kai Gale Grani (PAN) 9.75 DEF. Oscar Urbina (CRC) 8.40, Ross Adams (USA) 7.10, Charlie Denham (USA) 7.10
HEAT 4: Caleb Crozier (USA) 13.75 DEF. Teo Grani (PAN) 12.50, Tommaso Layson (BRB) 12.15, Eddie Traniello (USA) 2.65
HEAT 5: Giorgio Gomez (COL) 9.70 DEF. Miles McCall (USA) 9.20, Taylor Tice (USA) 8.10, Brad Ettinger (USA) 7.15
HEAT 6: Jake Dodson (USA) 9.90 DEF. Ryder Smith (USA) 8.00, Ocean Gittens (BRB) 7.35, Jonny Herrouin (USA) 6.70
HEAT 7: Cose Stoyanoff (USA) 13.15 DEF. Teddy Wittemann (USA) 9.55, Giacomo Mesinas (USA) 7.10, Milo Faure (FRA) 3.50
HEAT 8: Makai Castle (USA) 9.75 DEF. Gavin Bren (USA) 7.60, Blaze Roche (USA) 7.50, Luke Rebensdorf (USA) 5.90
HEAT 9: Laird Lavik (USA) 9.90 DEF. Mikel Kauffmann (PRI) 8.00, Bo Raynor (USA) 7.50, Tucker Coleman (USA)
HEAT 10: Matton Bain (USA) 10.80 DEF. Thomas Meekins (USA) 8.30, Juan Gerena Martinez (PUR) 7.65, Ramon Santiago (PUR) 6.55
HEAT 11: Sebastian Mendes (USA) 12.25 DEF. Gabriel Griffin (USA) 7.85, Toky Joe Kennedy Ravelomanantsoa (MDG) 7.05, Liam Knight (USA) 6.40
HEAT 12: Nadav Attar (ISR) 12.10 DEF. Eeli Timperi (FIN) 11.00, Sonny Witholt (USA) 8.00, Christian Schwarz (USA) 5.35
HEAT 13: Mason O’Toole (USA) 6.90 DEF. Remy Armstrong (USA) 6.50, Cash Souter (USA) 6.40, Sage Katz (PRI) 4.70
HEAT 14: Logan Radd (USA) 11.75 DEF. William Hedleston (USA) 10.45, Fletcher Whittle (USA) 5.90, Taylor Meekins (USA) 3.50
HEAT 15: Nicolás Epps (PRI) 9.40 DEF. Declan Fitzgerald (USA) 6.70, Beckham McCart (USA) 6.20, Dane Libby (USA) 3.40
HEAT 16: Loyal Kenworthy (USA) 3.80 DEF. Luke Godinez (USA) 3.50, Finn Castle (USA) 3.45, Cooper Jewell (USA) 3.05
WRV Outer Banks Pro Men’s Round of 104 Results:
HEAT 1: Shane McNulty (USA) 9.50 DEF. Mikel Kauffmann (PRI) 8.75, Noah Poteat (USA) 6.20, Joey Gale (BHS) 5.55
HEAT 2: Oscar Urbina (CRC) 9.50 DEF. Toky Joe Kennedy Ravelomanantsoa (MDG) 8.50, Asher Craft (USA) 3.85, Makai Bray (USA)
HEAT 3: Miles McCall (USA) 12.65 DEF. Remy Armstrong (USA) 11.50, Hunter Goodale (USA) 7.40, Thomas Moore (USA) 4.35
HEAT 4: Giacomo Mesinas (USA) 10.00 DEF. Declan Fitzgerald (USA) 8.85, Matteo Wander (USA) 7.75, Christopher Albury (BHS) 1.35
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.