NAGS HEAD, North Carolina, USA (Saturday, August 31, 2024)- Today, Lanea Mons (USA) and Owen Moss (USA) claimed victories at the World Surf League (WSL) WRV Outer Banks Pro presented by Pacifico, a men's and women's Qualifying Series (QS) 1,000, to close out the East Coast leg of events. Mons and Moss surged through their Finals Day campaigns to earn an East Coast sweep after both placed in the Final in Virginia Beach leading into this event. Respective runner-up finishes for 2023 event winner Sanoa Dempfle-Olin (CAN) and an in-form Lucas Owston (USA) added important points with Demplfe-Olin overtaking the rankings' lead alongside Moss.
Lanea Mons Wins First WSL Event on Home Coast
At 15, Lanea Mons(USA) claims her maiden QS victory at one of her favorite stops on the North America schedule. The Floridian, Mons, threw everything into her Finals Day campaign, starting off with an excellent 8.25 single-scoring wave and a 15.15 heat total. In the Quarterfinals Mons carried her forehand power into a Semifinal victory to make back-to-back Final appearances on the East Coast leg, and back-to-back Finals at this event, to ultimately claim her first-ever WSL win.
"I feel amazing, it's always been a dream of mine to win this contest because I love the Outer Banks so much," said Mons. "My first year I made the Semis and last year I made the Final so I'm really happy. I was definitely feeling the pressure because all those girls are so good and I knew anyone could walk away with it. I just tried to take deep breaths and I was stoked when that left came, then I snuck away and I was stoked to find that right."
The women's Final featured Mons, defending event victor Sanoa Dempfle-Olin (CAN), Eden Walla (USA), and Kylie Pulcini (USA) as they represent a surging new wave of North America threats. A slow start gave way to fireworks with Dempfle-Olin taking control of the heat and looking to earn back-to-back wins, but Mons and Walla answered back with solid scores of their own - Mons posting a valuable 6.60 (out of a possible 10). Then, Mons was able to find a gem that offered multiple opportunities to strike and posted a 7.33 to take the lead at the 15-minute mark where she was able to hold strong for her incredible win.
Owen Moss Capitalizes Near Home, Earns Second QS Victory
A stacked men's Final featuring some of North America's certified QS threats included previous QS victors Moss, Kei Kobayashi (USA) and Wheeler Hasburgh (CAN) alongside multiple finalist Lucas Owston (USA). Moss attacked right out of the gates to earn a quick, 12.83 (out of a possible 20) and left his opponents chasing him from the start. But, Kobayashi wasn't far behind after posting an impressive 7.17 to get back in the heat. Then, a critical exchange between Owston and Moss witnessed a back-to-back lead change with Owston earning an excellent 8.10 to overtake Moss before Moss replied with authority to earn a 7.33 and quickly regained the lead heading into the final minutes.
Owston's final opportunity fell short and Moss emerged victorious for a second time on the East Coast in his career.
"I'm so stoked right now and just so grateful to get a win here in North Carolina just feels so good," said Moss. "Having my whole crew here is amazing and I'm so grateful right now. I know they could get a score easy but it was going to take a good wave. I was pretty calm and just waited to see if I'd get another opportunity. I'm trying to get a good result in these next two Challenger Series event. Big shout out to my mom and dad, and my brother."
Moss' electric Finals Day showing led him toward back-to-back Final appearances on the East Coast leg and keeps him among the top end of North America's QS rankings to start the year. Moss' powerful forehand accrued an impressive 15-point heat total in the Quarterfinals before advancing behind Hasburgh in their Semifinal clash.
Defending event winner Sanoa Dempfle-Olin (CAN) nearly earned a repeat victory. - WSL / Elizabeth Fowler
Sanoa Dempfle-Olin and Lucas Owston Finish Strong for Runner-up Result
Defending event victor Sanoa Dempfle-Olin (CAN) surged through Finals Day, starting with a 7.75 in her Quarterfinal before fending off sparring partner Zoe Chait (USA) and an in-form Zoey Kaina (USA) in the Semifinals. Dempfle-Olin's form carried her through back-to-back Finals to close out the East Coast run as she moves toward the Nissan Super Girl Surf Pro presented by CELSIUS QS 3,000.
The runner-up result pushes Dempfle-Olin atop the North America rankings leaving the East Coast.
"It was good coming to the East Coast to surf more heats again and get a good result ahead of all the QS 3,000s this year so making the Finals feels good," said Dempfle-Olin. "I wanted the win again but to get a runner-up feels good and I'm super happy for Lanea since she lives over here and she was surfing so good. There's definitely some big events coming up so I'm excited to have these to get ready for those and there's a lot of opportunity coming so I'm excited."
Lucas Owston (USA) laid down a dominant showing throughout the event and finished with his third QS Finals appearance. - WSL / Elizabeth Fowler
Lucas Owston (USA) wasted no time getting his Finals Day surge going, posting an excellent 8.25 in the Quarterfinals with fellow Southern Californian Kei Kobayashi (USA) advancing behind him. Owston then overcame a hefty Semifinal affair with event standouts Jake Davis (USA) and Luke Guinaldo (USA), advancing behind Kobayashi for back-to-back Finals appearances.
This marks Owston's third QS Final as the emerging contender continues to build his resume as a certified North America competitive threat.
"I've been working really hard on everything and to see results is great," said Owston. "It's just super good and I'm really stoked for the rest of the year. I just have to continue to work hard. Jennette's Pier was a super fun event and we actually had some good waves throughout the week. I was able to work on myself and my surfing and just have a great time so I'm really thankful."
The next North America QS event will be the Nissan Super Girl Surf Pro presented by CELSIUS beginning September 20 through 22 in Oceanside, California.
WRV Outer Banks Pro Women's Final Results:
1 - Lanea Mons (USA) 13.93
2 - Sanoa Dempfle-Olin (CAN) 12.97
3 - Eden Walla (USA) 12.60
4 - Kylie Pulcini (USA) 9.06
WRV Outer Banks Pro Men's Final Results:
1 - Owen Moss (USA) 13.80
2 - Lucas Owston (USA) 13.33
3 - Kei Kobayashi (USA) 12.34
4 - Wheeler Hasburgh (CAN) 10.10
WRV Outer Banks Pro Women's Semifinal Results:
HEAT 1: Eden Walla (USA) 12.30 DEF. Sanoa Dempfle-Olin (CAN) 11.90, Zoey Kaina (USA) 11.53, Zoe Chait (USA) 8.93
HEAT 2: Lanea Mons (USA) 13.20 DEF. Kylie Pulcini (USA) 10.57, Avery McDonald (USA) 10.36, Vela Mattive (USA) 10.20
WRV Outer Banks Pro Men's Semifinal Results:
HEAT 1: Kei Kobayashi (USA) 11.94 DEF. Lucas Owston (USA) 11.10, Jake Davis (USA) 7.03, Luke Guinaldo (USA) 4.70
HEAT 2: Wheeler Hasburgh (CAN) 13.77 DEF. Owen Moss (USA) 12.23, Cannon Carr (USA) 11.13, Taj Lindblad (USA) 7.16
WRV Outer Banks Pro Women's Quarterfinal Matchups:
HEAT 1: Sanoa Dempfle-Olin (CAN) 14.25 DEF. Eden Walla (USA) 11.75, Ayla Stutzman (USA) 10.00, Taylor Stacy (USA) 9.80
HEAT 2: Zoey Kaina (USA) 13.50 DEF. Zoe Chait (USA) 11.65, Faviola Alcala (PUR) 10.35, Alana Lopez (USA) 9.00
HEAT 3: Kylie Pulcini (USA) 12.60 DEF. Avery McDonald (USA) 10.15, Mia Moore (USA) 9.60, Ellie Barimo (USA) 9.05
HEAT 4: Lanea Mons (USA) 15.15 DEF. Vela Mattive (USA) 12.30, Daya McCart (USA) 9.45, Kaydn Persidok (USA) 8.90
WRV Outer Banks Pro Men's Quarterfinal Results:
HEAT 1: Luke Guinaldo (USA) 13.75 DEF. Jake Davis (USA) 11.10, Carl Burger (USA) 11.10, Tyler Gunter (USA) 7.50
HEAT 2: Lucas Owston (USA) 14.55 DEF. Kei Kobayashi (USA) 12.60, Caleb Crozier (USA) 10.20, Reed Platenius (CAN) 9.65
HEAT 3: Wheeler Hasburgh (CAN) 12.40 DEF. Taj Lindblad (USA) 12.00, Matton Bain (USA) 10.90, Kai Barton (USA) 9.75
HEAT 4: Owen Moss (USA) 15.25 DEF. Cannon Carr (USA) 11.80, Kai Kushner (USA) 11.55, Greyson Grant (SWE) 6.65