.png){kind=logo}
When you visit our website, we store cookies on your browser to collect information. The information collected might relate to you, your preferences or your device, and is mostly used to make the site work as you expect it to and to provide a more personalized web experience. However, you can choose not to allow certain types of cookies, which may impact your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer. Click on the different category headings to find out more and change our default settings according to your preference.
These cookies are essential to enable user movement across our website and for providing access to features such as your profile. These cookies cannot be disabled. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable information and cannot be used for marketing purposes.
These cookies allow us to analyze visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site and enable the website to provide enhanced functionality and personalisation. They may be set by us or by third party providers, such as Google Analytics, whose services we have added to our pages. Information collected through these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. If you do not allow these cookies then some or all of these services may not function properly and/or we will not know when you have visited our site, and will not be able to monitor its performance.
These cookies enable the website to provide enhanced functionality and personalisation. They may be set by us or by third party providers whose services we have added to our pages. If you do not allow these cookies then some or all of these services may not function properly.
These cookies may be set through our site by our advertising partners. They may be used to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant adverts or content. They do not store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising.
These cookies are set by a range of social media services that we have added to the site to enable you to share our content with your friends and networks. They are capable of tracking your browser across other sites and building up a profile of your interests. This may impact the content and messages you see on other websites you visit. If you do not allow these cookies you may not be able to use or see these sharing tools.
WSL North America Announces Return of Back-To-Back East Coast Qualifying Series Events
Andrew Nichols
The WSL North America Qualifying Series (QS) prepares for its return to the East Coast and all the surf history it entails. Marquee stops return with the Vans Pro rejoining the schedule for the first time since 2019 before heading south for the WRV Outer Banks Pro presented by Pacifico.
The East Coast surf community continues to be a staple in the WSL North America region and is back to a full schedule with the return of the Vans Pro QS 3000 in Virginia Beach, Virginia. This event joined one of the world's longest-running contest, the East Coast Surfing Championships (ECSC) in 2011 and ran annually until the COVID-19 pandemic halted competitive surfing. Now, the event makes its grand return with the women joining men's QS competition for the first time in its history.
"We are excited to make the Vans Pro adjustments by introducing the women's division and prize equality this year," said Justin Villano, Senior Manager for Action Sports, Brand Marketing at Vans. "It comes at a great time to continue this standard within action sports and fuel the progression of our sport and culture. We are also excited to be back on the east coast, where we'll be helping Coastal Edge ring in the 60th year of the East Coast Surfing Championships."
Following the Vans Pro, competitors will make their way south to one of the East Coast's renowned stretches of coastline known as the Outer Banks in North Carolina. The WRV Outer Banks Pro presented by Pacifico makes its mark here each year at Jennette's Pier in Nags Head and has witnessed every type of swell in its prolific event history. From five-to-six foot hollow perfection to victory-at-sea, competitors have dealt with the elements in vying for their event title and now, the women are back for their third year of competition.
"Without the Outer Banks existing it would be really challenging to stay a dedicated surfer in the mid-Atlantic," said WRV President LG Shaw. "We love that we have been able to share a glimpse into the beauty, and magnitude of relevance to the surfing community on a whole, of the Outer Banks for over 20 years now by hosting this event. Every year is a total surprise on which version the Outer Banks will offer up, but the athletes always rise to the occasion. We're looking forward to more of the same this year!"
These events note a decisive follow up to the start of WSL North America's season in late April at the Jack's Surfboards Pro QS 1000 with Tyler Gunter and Sawyer Lindblad leaving the event atop regional QS rankings. A full season is locked in with the end date set for April 10, 2023, and all points going toward 2023 Challenger Series (CS) qualification in hopes of earning their spot on the elite Championship Tour (CT).
"Coastal Edge ECSC is celebrating its 60th Anniversary, so having Vans back as their presenting sponsor, confirming the Vans Pro as a men's QS 3000 and adding a women's QS 3000 is fantastic," said WSL North America Regional Manager Meg Bernardo. "It's ideal for the men and women to keep the momentum going and continue to the WRV Outer Banks Pro. We have two solid events to round out the summer with a lot of valuable points to continue the season."
The Vans Pro QS 3000 will run August 23 - 28 at 1st Street Jetty, Virginia Beach.
The WRV Outer Banks Pro presented by Pacifico QS 1000 will run August 31 - September 4 at Jeanette's Pier, Nags Head, North Carolina.
For more information, please visit www.WorldSurfLeague.com.
Sawyer Lindblad
Featuring Filipe Toledo, Italo Ferreira, Liam O'Brien, Molly Picklum, Julian Wilson, Rio Waida, Griffin Colapinto, Bettylou Sakura Johnson,
Featuring John John Florence, Jack Robinson, Kolohe Andino, Filipe Toledo, Stephanie Gilmore, Ryan Callinan, Jeremy Flores, Italo Ferreira,
Gabriela, Sawyer, and Caroline touch down on the Gold Coast and got a free surf in at Burleigh Heads. Stay tuned for more pre-comp free
Featuring Italo Ferreira, Filipe Toledo, Leonardo Fioravanti, Sawyer Lindblad, Caitlin Simmers, George Pittar, Jack Robinson, Jordy Smith,
2024 Rookie of the Year Sawyer Lindblad needs a result to kickstart her season and lit up Punta Roca with an 8.17 to earn a much-needed
Vans Pro
Alyssa Spencer cemented as Queen of the East Coast with seven WSL event wins, Jett Schilling earns a long-awaited breakthrough on the QS in
A momentous Finals Day concluded with Spencer and Schilling claiming wins at the first QS 3000 of the season.
The San Clemente, California surfer overpowered Finals Day and earned a comeback victory over Owen Moss to claim a first QS win.
With Virginia Beach delivering more magic, Sawyer Lindblad delivered yet more near-perfect, Alyssa Spencer eyes down seventh East Coast WSL
Alyssa Spencer, Sawyer Lindblad stand apart, plus Jett Schilling, Tomas King dismantle Quarterfinal bouts to set up Finals Day proceedings.