Hiroto Ohhara and Cole Alves rose above the rest and claimed their first-ever Vans Pro titles.
"Virginia Is For Lovers" may be the state's slogan, but when the men's Qualifying Series (QS) and Pro Juniors comes to town for the Vans Pro Virginia Beach, VA QS 3,000 it's all business. Some of the QS elite will be making a pivotal stop on their 2019 campaigns in search of 3,000 points August 20 - 25 alongside the Pro Juniors third stop of their season.
This event has kicked off the East Coast leg of events for each of the last nine years as it continues to join the second longest-running event in the world, the East Coast Surfing Championships, which now celebrates 57 years. The men's QS 3,000 and Pro Junior contest continues to provide valuable opportunities for east coast natives searching for critical points as they compete against a field of elite, international attendees.
Patrick Gudauskas: "The History and Lineage Makes It So Special"
Patrick Gudauskas joins an esteemed list of former winners and returns for more this year. - WSL / John Ferguson
The list of former event winners across all divisions includes some of the world's best including current World No. 1 Kolohe Andino and reigning WSL Junior Champion Mateus Herdy, along with qualification threats Evan Geiselman and former Championship Tour (CT) competitors Nat Young, Keanu Asing, and Patrick Gudauskas.
"ECSC is an iconic East Coast event and the Vans Pro is one of my favorites to compete at," Gudauskas said. "The history and lineage makes it so special. I always love seeing D ("D." Nachnani) from Coastal Edge when we are out there. I'm really looking forward to enjoying some time there and excited to go for the win. Couldn't be more fired up!"
Follow along with Dane as he gives you a firsthand account of the Vans Pro on the second day of action.
This year can expect some more of those heavy-hitting names alongside emerging QS threats looking to continue their momentum from a successful start to 2019. Seven previous winners, between both the Pro Junior and QS level, return in search of more including Gudauskas, Asing, Geiselman, Young alongside Nolan Rapoza and Kei Kobayashi who now look to join Asing as a Pro Junior and QS victor.
But, there is a plethora of talent on hand to vie for their first including Costa Rica's top qualification threat in previous years Carlos Munoz, Australia's emerging competitor Kyuss King, and current North America No. 1 Noah Schweizer. For Schweizer, this event could prove key as he looks to secure that top spot among the rankings with Crosby Colapinto right behind him and also competing in Virginia Beach as both a Pro Junior and QS competitor.
All the action will unfold August 20 - 25 at 1st Street Jetty, Virginia Beach, Virginia, to kick off the East Coast leg.
The WRV Outer Banks Pro QS 1,000 returns to Jennette's Pier August 28 - September 1 for the men and women QS contingent to earn points near home as Makena Burke looks to defend her maiden QS title.
Capping off a big East Coast leg, WSL's return to New York has been realized with the New York Longboard Classic supported by I LOVE NY September 6 - 12.
Former Event Winners List
VANS PRO MEN'S QS PAST CHAMPIONS:
2018: Hiroto Ohhara (JPN)
2017: Keanu Asing (HAW)
2016: Evan Geiselman (USA)
2015: Kanoa Igarashi (USA)
2014: Michael Dunphy (USA)
2013: Patrick Gudauskas (USA)
2012: Jean Da Silva (BRA)
2011: Kolohe Andino (USA)
VANS PRO MEN'S PRO JUNIOR PAST CHAMPIONS:
2018: Cole Alves (HAW)
2017: Mateus Herdy (BRA)
2016: Nolan Rapoza (USA)
2015: Seth Moniz (HAW)
2014: Kaito Kino (HAW)
2013: Joshua Moniz (HAW)
2012: Keanu Asing (HAW)
2011: Nat Young (USA)
Virginia Beach's Iconic 1st Street Jetty Returns
Andrew Nichols
"Virginia Is For Lovers" may be the state's slogan, but when the men's Qualifying Series (QS) and Pro Juniors comes to town for the Vans Pro Virginia Beach, VA QS 3,000 it's all business. Some of the QS elite will be making a pivotal stop on their 2019 campaigns in search of 3,000 points August 20 - 25 alongside the Pro Juniors third stop of their season.
This event has kicked off the East Coast leg of events for each of the last nine years as it continues to join the second longest-running event in the world, the East Coast Surfing Championships, which now celebrates 57 years. The men's QS 3,000 and Pro Junior contest continues to provide valuable opportunities for east coast natives searching for critical points as they compete against a field of elite, international attendees.
Patrick Gudauskas: "The History and Lineage Makes It So Special"
The list of former event winners across all divisions includes some of the world's best including current World No. 1 Kolohe Andino and reigning WSL Junior Champion Mateus Herdy, along with qualification threats Evan Geiselman and former Championship Tour (CT) competitors Nat Young, Keanu Asing, and Patrick Gudauskas.
"ECSC is an iconic East Coast event and the Vans Pro is one of my favorites to compete at," Gudauskas said. "The history and lineage makes it so special. I always love seeing D ("D." Nachnani) from Coastal Edge when we are out there. I'm really looking forward to enjoying some time there and excited to go for the win. Couldn't be more fired up!"
This year can expect some more of those heavy-hitting names alongside emerging QS threats looking to continue their momentum from a successful start to 2019. Seven previous winners, between both the Pro Junior and QS level, return in search of more including Gudauskas, Asing, Geiselman, Young alongside Nolan Rapoza and Kei Kobayashi who now look to join Asing as a Pro Junior and QS victor.
But, there is a plethora of talent on hand to vie for their first including Costa Rica's top qualification threat in previous years Carlos Munoz, Australia's emerging competitor Kyuss King, and current North America No. 1 Noah Schweizer. For Schweizer, this event could prove key as he looks to secure that top spot among the rankings with Crosby Colapinto right behind him and also competing in Virginia Beach as both a Pro Junior and QS competitor.
All the action will unfold August 20 - 25 at 1st Street Jetty, Virginia Beach, Virginia, to kick off the East Coast leg.
The WRV Outer Banks Pro QS 1,000 returns to Jennette's Pier August 28 - September 1 for the men and women QS contingent to earn points near home as Makena Burke looks to defend her maiden QS title.
Capping off a big East Coast leg, WSL's return to New York has been realized with the New York Longboard Classic supported by I LOVE NY September 6 - 12.
Former Event Winners List
VANS PRO MEN'S QS PAST CHAMPIONS:
2018: Hiroto Ohhara (JPN)
2017: Keanu Asing (HAW)
2016: Evan Geiselman (USA)
2015: Kanoa Igarashi (USA)
2014: Michael Dunphy (USA)
2013: Patrick Gudauskas (USA)
2012: Jean Da Silva (BRA)
2011: Kolohe Andino (USA)
VANS PRO MEN'S PRO JUNIOR PAST CHAMPIONS:
2018: Cole Alves (HAW) 2017: Mateus Herdy (BRA)
2016: Nolan Rapoza (USA)
2015: Seth Moniz (HAW)
2014: Kaito Kino (HAW)
2013: Joshua Moniz (HAW)
2012: Keanu Asing (HAW)
2011: Nat Young (USA)
Patrick Gudauskas
The 11-time World Champ will be back in a jersey after missing four events in Australia when the Jeep Surf Ranch Pro kicks off on June 18th.
The new Vans film, "Breaking Boundaries," details the Gudauskas brothers' massive surfboard drive for Trinidad and Tobago.
All-time conditions for the Surfest Newcastle Pro, the best of Gabriel Medina, the biggest wave of Kai Lenny's life, and more.
Backup venue takes center stage again with incredible conditions.
Anza pumps for a third consecutive day of action at the QS5,000 Pro Taghazout Bay and Brazil's Thiago Camarao drops near-perfect heat among
Vans Pro Virginia Beach, VA
The pair emerged victorious in their respective events after an incredible finish to the Vans Pro Virginia Beach, VA QS 3,000 and Pro
In a Final that featured Gordon and two of his fellow East Coast natives and an Aussie, the 19-year-old prevailed brilliantly.
The Vans Pro Virginia Beach, VA QS 3,000 witnessed the highly-anticipated debut of its top seeds and it was worth the wait.
From barreling Teahupoo in the Billabong Pro Tahiti Trials to waist-high Virginia Beach, Richards is proving his capabilities even more.
9-point rides are hard to come by at any venue, but it takes something special to do so in Virginia Beach. Hear from Colapinto about his