Today, Alana Lopez (USA) and Blayr Barton (USA) won the World Surf League (WSL) Virginia Beach Pro presented by Coastal Edge ECSC, a men's and women's Qualifying Series (QS) 1,000, and added their name to East Coast surfing history. Barton brought the Virginia Beach Pro title back to Virginia Beach for the first time since 2014 after his maiden QS win alongside Lopez claiming her first-ever WSL win. The two emerged victorious in some of the best conditions the week had to offer and bested heavily-contested fields of North America's rising contenders.
Virginia Beach's Own Blayr Barton Claims First QS Win at Home
In 2014, Michael Dunphy (USA) united Virginia Beach after taking the first WSL event win, coinciding with the long-standing ECSC, for his hometown. Now, Blayr Barton (USA) adds his name to that legacy, including the legendary Wes Laine (USA), after breaking through to his first-ever QS victory in home waters. The 20-year-old, Barton, catapulted himself into the Final with a dynamic Semifinal showing alongside San Clemente's emerging standout Cannon Carr (USA) before ultimately being crowend the 2024 event victor.
"I'm still taking in, this has been a dream ever since I watched Michael Dunphy win this event," said Barton. "The moment I heard the clock go down, it was just a dream come true to win at home. Now I'm just going to have fun. It's been a great run from Barbados to an equal fifth at Jack's Surfboards Pro and I just love being in the jersey, this is what I want to do. To go through all the things I did and to come back and win is unreal. It's a blessing."
The men's Final featured some of the event's top performers throughout the week including Blayr Barton (USA), Owen Moss (USA), Lucas Owston (USA), and Cannon Carr (USA). A back and forth start held no major favorites until Barton's explosive backhand attack garnered an excellent 8.00 (out of a possible 10) to put himself firmly in the lead after adding a 6.00. But, Barton's opponents weren't counted out yet with Moss posting an impressive 7.30 close to the 10-minute mark and only required a 6.71 to overtake Barton. But, the ocean didn't provide any excellent opportunities heading into the final seconds with the beach erupting for its own as Barton claimed the 2024 event win.
Alana Lopez Claims Maiden WSL Victory for East Coast Sweep
The women's Virginia Beach Pro presented by Coastal Edge ECSC title stays on the East Coast courtesy of Alana Lopez (USA) taking a massive, maiden WSL win. Lopez looked in form from start to finish, posting excellent numbers on her way to Finals Day after starting her quest in the opening Round of 24. The Floridian, Lopez, earned a crucial Semifinal win to surge toward the Final alongside Lanea Mons(USA), who advanced behind Lopez.
A stacked women's Final featured event standout Zoey Kaina (USA), QS threats Sanoa Dempfle-Olin (CAN) and Lanea Mons (USA), and rising talent Alana Lopez (USA). Kaina looked to hold her flawless run through competition heading into the Final with a quick start before Lopez found her response to overtake the lead momentarily. Kaina then answered back to regain the lead as time headed into the 10 minute mark. Then, Lopez found a gem all to herself to post an impressive 7.25 before locking into another righthander that offered her two critical sections and the lead once more. The ocean went quiet heading into the dying minutes and Lopez emerged with her first QS victory.
"I'm super stoked and I can't believe that just happened," said Lopez. "I was out there waiting for two good waves to come and they came so I'm stoked. I've been surfing with all these for forever so I'm stoked to share a Final with them and stoked to take the win. My mom and my sister came in last night so I'm super happy to be able to share this with them. I couldn't ask for a better day."
Owen Moss (USA) soared to his second Virginia Beach Pro runner-up. - WSL / Andrew Nichols
Runner-up Finishes for Zoey Kaina and Owen Moss to Start East Coast Leg
2022 event runner-up Owen Moss (USA) kickstarted his Finals Day campaign with a brilliant Semifinal showing over West Coast threats Taj Lindblad (USA) and Lucas Owston (USA) alongside one of the event's longest-streaking competitors Jairo Perez (CRC). Owston earned the advancing position over Lindblad and Perez for his second-career QS Final, but it was Moss who ultimately claimed his second runner-up in three events at Virginia Beach.
"I'm feeling good and I had a fun week," said Moss. "Definitely some challenges after going on hold for a few days but stoked we were able to get some fun waves. I'm stoked to make another Final and carry this into the Outer Banks to see what happens. I had a couple shockers on the Challenger Series but it's been nice to get into a rhythm here."
Zoey Kaina (USA) surged from start to finish to claim a massive runner-up result. - WSL / Andrew Nichols
One of the event's youngest competitors, Zoey Kaina (USA), powered her way through the event to the Final - starting in the Round of 24. The 13-year-old, Kaina, put on electric performances and provided moments of progression to what the surfing world can expect from the rising threat after nearly landing multiple air-reverses. Now, Kaina looks for more heading to the WRV Outer Banks Pro presented by Pacifico beginning August 28 through September 1.
"My goal was to get first or second and I'm super happy to do that and get second," said Kaina. "I was trying to get an air-reverse and just couldn't get one but the waves were better than all the other days so it was fun. It feels good to close this event out and then hopefully I can make the Final in the Outer Banks too."
Watch Live
The WRV Outer Banks Pro presented by Pacifico will run August 28 through September 1. Once called ON, the event will be streamed live at WorldSurfLeague.com, WSL YouTube channel, and the free WSL App.
Virginia Beach Pro Women's Final Results:
1 - Alana Lopez (USA) 13.70
2 - Zoey Kaina (USA) 10.73
3 - Lanea Mons (USA) 10.06
4 - Sanoa Dempfle-Olin (CAN) 6.37
Virginia Beach Pro Men's Final Results:
1 - Blayr Barton (USA) 14.00
2 - Owen Moss (USA) 13.20
3 - Lucas Owston (USA) 11.33
4 - Cannon Carr (USA) 9.73
Virginia Beach Pro Women's Semifinal Results:
HEAT 1: Zoey Kaina (USA) 13.75 DEF. Sanoa Dempfle-Olin (CAN) 12.00, Bailey Turner (USA) 10.15, Vela Mattive (USA) 7.05
HEAT 2: Alana Lopez (USA) 9.20 DEF. Lanea Mons (USA) 8.00, Mia Moore (USA) 7.95, Eden Walla (USA) 6.70
Virginia Beach Pro Men's Semifinal Results:
HEAT 1: Blayr Barton (USA) 13.25 DEF. Cannon Carr (USA) 12.55, Wheeler Hasburgh (CAN) 11.75, Taro Watanabe (USA) 11.60
HEAT 2: Owen Moss (USA) 13.25 DEF. Lucas Owston (USA) 12.85, Taj Lindblad (USA) 8.30, Jairo Perez (CRC) 8.00