Many of the World Surf League (WSL) Men's Qualifying Series (QS) packed up their bags and headed down from Virginia Beach to the famed stretch of coastline known as the Outer Banks in North Carolina to join the Women's QS contingent. The WRV Outer Banks Pro QS 1,000 pres. by Pacifico and Sanuk awaits with a promising forecast to start things off August 28 - September 1. A live broadcast will showcase the event around the world through www.WorldSurfLeague.com and the WSL App throughout the event window.
For the women, this marks their second-consecutive year in the Outer Banks with the event's return after nearly fourteen years away last season and an array of upcoming threats and QS veterans look to take home the win.
Tanika Hoffman Returns With Unfinished Business
Hoffman's first OBX appearance was one she could relish upon both in and out of the water. - WSL / John Ferguson
The South African native paid her first visit to the East Coast last season in Florida and returned once again to Jennette's Pier for this event. Hoffman powered her way through tough conditions before earning a Semifinal appearance, falling to eventual winner Makena Burke, and is back to pick up where she left off. Currently sitting at No. 105, this event gives her a big opportunity to jump a few vital spots on the ranks to help build momentum toward the end of 2019.
"One of my favorite things when traveling is meeting new people and seeing new places, and everyone here on the East Coast is super friendly and helpful," Hoffman said. "The beaches are so beautiful as well and I just had to come back. I just love surfing and competing in general, and try not focus on my results. I always just try my best and have as much fun as possible so we'll see how that works out for me this year.."
East Coast Well-Represented
Zoe Benedetto already has one East Coast Final to her name in 2019, can she make it two? - WSL / John Ferguson
One of the up-and-coming East Coast threats Zoe Benedetto, who made her first WSL Final earlier this year at the Ron Jon Roxy Junior Pro, now she hopes to translate that to QS success. This marks just her third QS event and only her second outside of Florida with a promising career ahead. The now 14-year-old has the mentorship of former event winner, and fellow Floridian, Asher Nolan as he continues to surf the event while coaching a few of the 32 women in attendance.
"It's super exciting to be doing another QS on the East Coast, especially in Nags Head where I love the break," Benedetto said. "I's always been a great experience coming here. I love competing with great girls that push my surfing and it's fun when there's a good swell on the way. A big result would mean the world to me. I'm really trying to push myself this year to get the best results and most importantly improve my surfing, and gain experience."
Fellow Floridian Molly Kirk looks to go better than her Quarterfinal result last year. - WSL / John Ferguson
Other East Coast women hoping to reclaim the title from California's Makena Burke include Molly Kirk, Kayla Durden, Morgan Iglay, Leah Thompson and more.
Californians Hope To Keep Title On West Coast
Brooke Daigneault's spent time in four different countries already in 2019 as she looks to find success among the QS. - WSL / Ryan Janssens
A handful of Californian talent are on hand including Brooke Daigneault, Abigail Dixon, Serena Nava and Ella McCaffray to pick up where Burke left off as the defending event winner won't be in attendance this time around. Daigneault, 26, currently sits just outside the Top 100 after traveling around the world in 2019 looking for results and is beginning to understand the process of what it takes to become a QS threat.
"I'm so stoked and grateful to be back out here on the East Coast again for this competition," Daigneault said. "We just have so much fun here and feel really comfortable with the laid back vibes even though the surf slacked until the end. It's turned into one of my favorite events and didn't want to miss it. I've learned so much this year already with how much traveling and competing I've done, but I think the main thing is just to focus on myself the best I can and not force anything."
A 7:30am EDT call will determine a possible 8:00am EDT start.
The WRV Outer Banks Pro pres. by Sanuk will run August 28 - September 1 at Jennette's Pier, Nags Head, North Carolina.
Up-And-Coming Women's Threats Ready for Outer Banks
Andrew Nichols
Many of the World Surf League (WSL) Men's Qualifying Series (QS) packed up their bags and headed down from Virginia Beach to the famed stretch of coastline known as the Outer Banks in North Carolina to join the Women's QS contingent. The WRV Outer Banks Pro QS 1,000 pres. by Pacifico and Sanuk awaits with a promising forecast to start things off August 28 - September 1. A live broadcast will showcase the event around the world through www.WorldSurfLeague.com and the WSL App throughout the event window.
For the women, this marks their second-consecutive year in the Outer Banks with the event's return after nearly fourteen years away last season and an array of upcoming threats and QS veterans look to take home the win.
Tanika Hoffman Returns With Unfinished Business
The South African native paid her first visit to the East Coast last season in Florida and returned once again to Jennette's Pier for this event. Hoffman powered her way through tough conditions before earning a Semifinal appearance, falling to eventual winner Makena Burke, and is back to pick up where she left off. Currently sitting at No. 105, this event gives her a big opportunity to jump a few vital spots on the ranks to help build momentum toward the end of 2019.
"One of my favorite things when traveling is meeting new people and seeing new places, and everyone here on the East Coast is super friendly and helpful," Hoffman said. "The beaches are so beautiful as well and I just had to come back. I just love surfing and competing in general, and try not focus on my results. I always just try my best and have as much fun as possible so we'll see how that works out for me this year.."
East Coast Well-Represented
One of the up-and-coming East Coast threats Zoe Benedetto, who made her first WSL Final earlier this year at the Ron Jon Roxy Junior Pro, now she hopes to translate that to QS success. This marks just her third QS event and only her second outside of Florida with a promising career ahead. The now 14-year-old has the mentorship of former event winner, and fellow Floridian, Asher Nolan as he continues to surf the event while coaching a few of the 32 women in attendance.
"It's super exciting to be doing another QS on the East Coast, especially in Nags Head where I love the break," Benedetto said. "I's always been a great experience coming here. I love competing with great girls that push my surfing and it's fun when there's a good swell on the way. A big result would mean the world to me. I'm really trying to push myself this year to get the best results and most importantly improve my surfing, and gain experience."
Other East Coast women hoping to reclaim the title from California's Makena Burke include Molly Kirk, Kayla Durden, Morgan Iglay, Leah Thompson and more.
Californians Hope To Keep Title On West Coast
A handful of Californian talent are on hand including Brooke Daigneault, Abigail Dixon, Serena Nava and Ella McCaffray to pick up where Burke left off as the defending event winner won't be in attendance this time around. Daigneault, 26, currently sits just outside the Top 100 after traveling around the world in 2019 looking for results and is beginning to understand the process of what it takes to become a QS threat.
"I'm so stoked and grateful to be back out here on the East Coast again for this competition," Daigneault said. "We just have so much fun here and feel really comfortable with the laid back vibes even though the surf slacked until the end. It's turned into one of my favorite events and didn't want to miss it. I've learned so much this year already with how much traveling and competing I've done, but I think the main thing is just to focus on myself the best I can and not force anything."
On the men's side, Renan Peres Pulga is ready to defend his OBX title.
A 7:30am EDT call will determine a possible 8:00am EDT start.
The WRV Outer Banks Pro pres. by Sanuk will run August 28 - September 1 at Jennette's Pier, Nags Head, North Carolina.
WRV Outer Banks Pro
The 14-year-old dominated finals day at the WRV Outer Banks Pro pres. by Sanuk and overtook Ella McCaffray in stunning form.
The WRV Outer Banks Pro pres. by Pacifico and Sanuk titles are back on the East Coast with the help of dominant performances from
The WRV Outer Banks Pro pres. by Sanuk blasted through opening rounds to determine their Quarterfinalists.
Check out all you need to know for the 2019 WRV Outer Banks Pro presented by Pacifico and Sanuk.
The second stop of the East Coast leg brings back the Men and Women's WRV Outer Banks Pro QS 1,000 to one of the coast's most esteemed