.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.
Semifinalists Locked In, All-Important Finals Day Awaits at Vans Pro
Andrew Nichols
Finals Day is locked in at the World Surf League (WSL) Vans Pro, Stop No. 2 of the North America Qualifying Series (QS) 2022/23' season, after an electric moving day of competition. An uptick in swell provided clean, two-to-three foot opportunities and those in position were rewarded heavily. Both the men's and women's Semifinal draws are set and competition witnessed head-to-head duals for the first time in Virginia Beach since 2012 starting with today's Quarterfinals.
One of 2022's in-form competitors Jett Schilling brings the confidence he's garnered from the Challenger Series back to QS competition in great fashion. The 19-year-old's powerful backhand led to a one-sided affair against event standout Jabe Swierkocki, who required a near-perfect score to overtake Schilling's 15.33 (out of a possible 20) heat total when the horn sounded. Now, Schilling prepares for his second QS Finals Day of 2022, his fourth in overall WSL competitions. (Full interview in video above)
"It would mean a lot (to win this event," said Schilling. "I'm just so stoked to keep going and feel like everything's working right now. Hopefully can keep it going into finals day and take it out."
Costa Rica took Virginia Beach by storm and Tomas King now takes on Finals Day in hopes of making himself and his compatriots proud. King smashed his way over former event victor, hometown hero, Michael Dunphy in their Quarterfinal battle after winning his Round of 16 affair earlier in the morning. The former QS warrior hasn't competed in a WSL event since the beginning of 2020 and brings the fire back to the jersey.
"I made the Semifinals last time I was here and this time it's one-on-one so there's more points which is really exciting," said King. "It's a different strategy, but I don't know I've just had a connection with these waves this week. I've had all my friends here like Malakai (Martinez), Esteban (Chavez), and Leilani (McGonagle), and all the Costa Ricans have been so supportive. It's been a world of difference and I'm hungry for more."
Joining Schilling and King into Finals Day, the backhand hammers of former event finalist Cam Richards (USA), eliminating dark horse threat Wesley Santos, and forehand gusto of emerging talent Owen Moss, who took down 2016 Vans pro victor Evan Geiselman, will prove formidable opponents to see who earns their place into the Final.
Sawyer Linblad's Flawless VB Run Continues, Women Set For Historic Finals Day
Another jaw-dropping performance from 16-year-old Sawyer Lindblad garnered her an additional excellent heat total of 16.33 and near-perfect single-wave score, an immaculate 9.33 (out of a possible 10). Lindblad's decimating backhand continues to provide her the magic she needs, this time taking down former Championship Tour (CT) surfer Chelsea Tuach, as the current North America No. 1 and now sets up for a massive finish to the first QS 3000 of the year.
"I feel like everything is finally clicking after last year and only getting a lot of good-range scores," said Lindblad. "I'm really happy the hard work is paying off. It's giving me a lot of confidence, just surfing some heats and getting some momentum for the rest of the season and the Challenger Series."
A critical day decided women's Semifinalists and Alyssa Spencer, one of the most winningest modern era WSL women on the East Coast, added another finals day appearance to her resume. The 2021 Championship Tour (CT) qualification threat continues to show her dominance in the region, notching a 15.93 heat total over an in-form Leilani McGonagle. Now, the 20-year-old hopes to add her name to the history books of Virginia Beach competition. (Full interview in video above)
Also notching major Quarterfinal victories, Kirra Pinkerton overpowered event threat Noah Klapp in their clash while Florida's own Zoe Benedetto eliminated Round of 16 standout Bella Kenworthy.
A 9:30 a.m. EDT call will determine a possible 10:00 am. EDT start for Finals Day competition.
The Vans Pro QS 3000 will run August 23 - 28 at 1st Street Jetty, Virginia Beach.
Jett Schilling
Sanoa Dempfle-Olin Claims First Major WSL Win in SLO CAL Jett Schilling finds Massive Breakthrough toward Challenger Series
The 2023 WSL World Junior Champion Jett Schilling found another major WSL win at Pismo Beach over an in-form Lucas Cassity after Schilling
The 2023 WSL World Junior Champion Jett Schilling had his eyes on a big result to boost up the rankings and posted an 8.17 to surge toward
2023 Event Victor Dimitri Poulos back into Finals Day Jett Schilling's Mission takes him to Quarterfinal Showing Eden Walla bests North
North America's QS contenders are back in action December 5 - 8 and some heavy hitters are keeping their momentum moving.
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
The 19-year-old notches his best QS result thus far at Virginia Beach and in dominant fashion.