Opening Day Pumps at WRV Outer Banks Pro QS1,000

Style and power were on full display throughout opening day at the WRV Outer Banks Pro Men's QS1,000 -- Luan Wood (BRA) was rewarded an 8.27 for his efforts. - WSL / John W. Ferguson

Following the Vans Pro Men's QS3,000, a number of hungry Qualifying Series (QS) competitors make their way down the East Coast to Nags Head, NC for the WRV Outer Banks Pro Men's QS1,000 presented by Pacifico for fun waves and great competition -- both of which were seen on opening day. With three-to-four foot swell on offer, competitors showcased some of their best surfing and found excellence in the process. Hoping for more of the same in coming days, up-and-coming threats will continue to face some of the QS veterans with their own ambitions of making it higher in the ranks.

Gabriel Andre came out in spectacular form for his Outer Banks debut with the highest heat total of the day with a 16.67 (out of a possible 20). The Brazilian posted two excellent numbers as he notched an 8.00 and 8.67 (out of a possible 10) en route to a big heat win. This is Andre's first time to the WRV Outer Banks Pro, but with the prep work he's put in, he poses a threat to many surfers here vying for points within the North America region.

"It felt amazing to get those scores in my first heat with some really fun waves coming through today so I'm just thankful to make it on," Andre said. "I love it here so far after trying to get a result in Virginia and the waves just not helping me there. I've been training on my backhand so much and I'm really excited to try and show my hard work here."

Andre was head down and focused walking into his debut heat at Outer Banks and put that focus to good use. - WSL / Nichols

Hoping to find a keeper result and turn his season around, Dane Mackie showed he's prepared to fight for those 1,000 points. Mackie posted the highest single-wave score of an 8.67 that Andre was able to match him on and will look for more of the same this week. The Bajan goofy-footer was pleasantly surprised the way his heat worked out after spending some time watching previous heats.

"I wasn't expecting to find any lefts out there and they just kept coming so that was great to keep finding them," Mackie said. "It looked like I was going to be trying to out-the-back rights but the lefts ended up feeling really fast and smooth. I love coming here being so close to home and getting a chance to compete in a few events -- we have a really tight crew here which is great for the support."

Mackie and other up-and-coming threats will have to be wary with the likes of former CT competitor Gabe Kling (USA) in attendance. - WSL / John W. Ferguson

"I'd really like to start building on my points and do a bunch of these QS1,000s which will help move higher up the ranks," Mackie added. "It would be great to get into the QS6,000s next year, but I know it's going to be really hard with so many guys surfing well. There's not many events near my home island so these events are a big help."

Venezuelan Francisco Bellorin made his presence known at Jeannette's Pier and blasted through two heat wins in impressive fashion. Posting an 8.17 in Round 1 and following suit with an 8.33 during Round 2, Bellorin couldn't be stopped -- but knows the job is far from done with big ambitions on the horizon.

"I'm so happy to make those heats and want to make as many as I possibly can here at the Outer Banks," Bellorin said. "My goal is to make it into the Costa Rica event without having to worry about rankings so to get big points here would be crucial. My boards are working really well so far and this wave reminds me of my homebreak which is great. The vibes here are really good and I just want to try and continue posting those kind of numbers."

Bellorin has spent a lot of time in Oceanside, Calif. recently and is more than prepared for the beachbreaks on the East Coast. - WSL / Nichols

Jhonny Corzo hasn't found the best results in his Junior Tour season but is looking to earn valuable points among the QS competitors. The young Mexican surfer is off to a good start in that regard, posting two heat wins with an impressive Round 2 victory over fellow Junior competitor standouts Ryland Rubens and Jake Marshall.

"This is event is so cool to surf against guys I've seen competing for years, as well as the up-and-coming talented guys here as well," Corzo said. "It felt incredible to get those two wins and really enjoyed the waves today so I hope they keep coming. I'm in the position as most guys here who are aging out of the Junior events and just trying to build our seed up for next year. To compete here is definitely a big help and I want to make a few more heats at this one."

Corzo had to overcome the aerial attacks of Jake Marshall to make it through to Round 3 and overcame his first hurdle of the event by doing so. - WSL / John W. Ferguson

A 7:30 a.m. Call will determine an 8:00 a.m. Start for Round 2, Heat 5. Tune in live at www.outerbankslive.com when the first horn sounds.