The WRV Outer Banks Pro Presented by Pacifico, a World Surf League (WSL) men’s Qualifying Series (QS) 2,000-level event, powered through opening day with brilliant performances in the testy conditions on the famed Outer Banks coastline. Some of North America’s top-tier contenders, including current No. 1 Kyan Yang (USA), defending event winner Cannon Carr (USA), previous Challenger Series competitor Jabe Sweirkocki (USA), and rising talents such as Henry Rothey (USA) set the tone after completing the men’s Round of 88 and Round of 64, Heats 1 through 8, for top seeds to emerge.
Event organizers will reconvene at 6:30 a.m. EDT for a possible 7:00 a.m. start.
Jabe Swierkocki and Lucas Owston Smash OBX Debuts
A perennial regional standout, Jabe Swierkocki (USA), reminded opponents of his explosive tendencies and posted an immaculate 14.75 (out of a possible 20) heat total in a stacked affair. The Ventura, Calif., competitor, Swierkocki, charged through to the Semifinals in Virginia Beach, and now looks to keep building momentum toward requalifying for the Challenger Series. Plus, WRV Team Rider and hosting Swierkocki, Kai Barton (USA) advanced on a buzzer-beater over the Outer Banks’ own Bo Raynor (USA).
“It’s funny, I’ve been staying with Kai the last week and a half in VB, and we cruised down here together. And Bo is always with us as well, so seeing the draw, it was just Kai and me. Then, it got redone after a cancellation so Bo was in there too,” said Swierkocki. “It sucks that someone has to lose out of that. But, that’s the way it goes in these events, and I’m definitely stoked to make it through. It was a big heat to make for me. With 2,000 points here, it’s the same as getting a third-place at a QS 4,000, so of course I want to win, we all do, and we’re all hungry for it.”
Current Challenger Series contender Lucas Owston (USA) didn’t hesitate to unleash his power in the smaller conditions, reminiscent of his 8.00 in 2025 at this very venue, and posted a 14.25 heat total of his own. Owston returned to the regional QS looking for a spark and to keep his competitive energy thriving, and tapped into his form to start in the Outer Banks.
“This is when it comes down to more heat technical surfing. You paddle out to find the best peak and scrap the whole time, so to get two waves is pretty sick,” said Owston. “It looks like we have some fun little waves for the next couple of days, and the most “Chivelious” will win. Getting experience in the jersey is what every competitive surfer wants, and doing that on the Challenger Series is exactly what you do. You can’t replace experience, and I’m just psyched I have the opportunity to do that.”
Henry Rothey Takes Over Against Defending Event Champ
The talent pool of San Clemente added Henry Rothey (USA) to its watchlist in the Outer Banks after a solid Virginia Beach showing. Rothey made his 2026 WRV Outer Banks Pro alongside fellow San Clemente competitor and defending event victor, Cannon Carr (USA). Rothey’s ability to navigate the small conditions yielded an explosive air-reverse to post a 7.50 and best Carr, who also advanced, for a big heat win.
“Cannon has been one of my really good friends for the last six years or so, so there’s nothing like getting into a friendly battle,” said Rothey. “He’s such a good surfer, so I’m glad I got the job done. I just want to keep a positive mindset here, it’s all you can do when it’s smaller, and it’s just two good waves. It’s all you have get, and I was lucky to get two in that heat, so we’re on to the Round of 32.”
Costa Rica’s proven powerhouse, Darshan Antequera (CRC), adapted to the smaller conditions brilliantly following Raul Rios’s (PER) 7.75 aerial antics in the Round of 88, after a rough Virginia Beach result. The goofy footer found an opportunity to showcase his air game, launching himself to to a forehand air reverse and posted a 7.00. Now, Antequera looks to gain momentum back and reassert himself in the North America QS rankings.
“It was definitely a mental thing, and just crazy getting to Virginia Beach. I felt completely incompetent, so we’re here with a physical coach who helps change the way you move,” said Antequera. “From how you walk, to what you eat, so I’ve been on that program the last two weeks and I feel different already. Every year I do these events, it feels like I’m starting again, and I’m building confidence starting early so I’m just focused on that.”
WRV Outer Banks Pro Presented by Pacifico Round of 88 Results:
HEAT 1: Owen Carter (USA) 8.65 DEF. Dane Costa (USA) 8.25, Holden Krantz (USA) 6.20, Tab Textor (USA) 0.50
HEAT 2: Eeli Timperi (FIN) 11.50 DEF. Juliano Uzuelli (BRA) 10.25, Finn Murphy (USA) 9.00
HEAT 3: Elias Smith (USA) 9.75 DEF. Baylor White (USA) 9.15, JB2 Bayer (USA) 6.10, Dean Randazzo Jr (USA) 3.70
HEAT 4: Taylor Meekins (USA) 7.75 DEF. Noah Poteat (USA) 6.00, Trevor Tice (USA) 4.95, Charlie Denham (USA) 2.85
HEAT 5: Dylan Young (USA) 11.10 DEF. Luke Lopez (USA) 7.45, Rory Reep (USA) 6.55
HEAT 6: Raul Rios (PER) 13.75 DEF. Wyatt Jeffers (USA) 2.90, Cory La Roe (USA) 0.20
HEAT 7: Darshan Antequera (CRC) 10.40 DEF. Cash Souter (USA) 7.85, Ramon Santiago (PUR) 3.00
HEAT 8: Alejandro Bernales (PER) 9.65 DEF. Italo Mesinas-Dickson (USA) 7.45, Nash Rice (USA)
HEAT 9: Giacomo Mesinas (USA) 7.70 DEF. Charlie Keese (USA) 7.30, Blaze Roche (USA) 6.95, Aven Johnson (USA) 5.55
HEAT 10: Miles McCall (USA) 9.15 DEF. Ryder Smith (USA) 7.45, Christian Castiglione (USA) 6.65, Jj Martínez (PUR)
HEAT 11: Carson Carr (USA) 8.95 DEF. Beckham McCart (USA) 7.60, Tucker Demsey (USA) 7.40
HEAT 12: Jonny Herrouin (USA) 10.75 DEF. Gavin Bren (USA) 10.60, Sean MacDonald (USA) 9.10, Jack Madden (USA) 6.35
WRV Outer Banks Pro Presented by Pacifico Round of 64 (Heats 1 – 8) Results:
HEAT 1: Henry Rothey (USA) 12.25 DEF. Cannon Carr (USA) 8.40, Owen Carter (USA) 8.20, Ross Adams (USA) 5.60
HEAT 2: Eeli Timperi (FIN) 10.20 DEF. Luke Wyler (USA) 9.25, Carl Burger (USA) 8.25, Dane Costa (USA) 6.65
HEAT 3: Matton Bain (USA) 10.75 DEF. Sam Reidy (CRC) 10.10, Elias Smith (USA) 7.00, Juliano Uzuelli (BRA) 4.85
HEAT 4: Jabe Swierkocki (USA) 14.50 DEF. Kai Barton (USA) 8.00, Baylor White (USA) 7.65, Bo Raynor (USA) 7.60
HEAT 5: Kyan Yang (USA) 9.45 DEF. Loyal Kenworthy (USA) 9.10, Amir Rafaeli (ISR) 8.75, Taylor Meekins (USA) 2.45
HEAT 6: Will Deane (USA) 12.00 DEF. Cose Stoyanoff (USA) 9.05, Dylan Young (USA) 8.05, Noah Poteat (USA) 6.95
HEAT 7: Luke Lopez (USA) 10.55 DEF. Kai Gale Grani (PAN) 10.15, Kepa Mendia (USA) 8.60, Raul Rios (PER) 5.50
HEAT 8: Lucas Owston (USA) 14.25 DEF. Wayne Satterwhite (USA) 10.00, Ethan Hollander (CRC) 6.80, Wyatt Jeffers (USA) 2.30
WRV Outer Banks Pro Presented by Pacifico Round of 64 (Heats 9 – 16) Matchups:
HEAT 9: Luke Guinaldo (USA) vs. Chase Niemann (USA) vs. Asher Craft (PUR) vs. Darshan Antequera (CRC)
HEAT 10: Jacob Burke (BRB) vs. Teo Grani (PAN) vs. Alejandro Bernales (PER) vs. Cash Souter (USA)
HEAT 11: Parker Cohn (USA) vs. Dylan Sloan (USA) vs. Giacomo Mesinas (USA) vs. Italo Mesinas-Dickson (USA)
HEAT 12: Michael Dunphy (USA) vs. Teddy Wittemann (USA) vs. Taylor Tice (USA) vs. Charlie Keese (USA)
HEAT 13: Blayr Barton (USA) vs. Sebastian Mendes (USA) vs. Tommy Granger (USA) vs. Miles McCall (USA)
HEAT 14: Wheeler Hasburgh (CAN) vs. Titus Kaimana Santucci (USA) vs. Carson Carr (USA) vs. Ryder Smith (USA)
HEAT 15: Rex Hennings (USA) vs. Jairo Perez (CRC) vs. Jonny Herrouin (USA) vs. Beckham McCart (USA)
HEAT 16: Jett Schilling (USA) vs. Enzo Ackermann (MEX) vs. Shane Frontino (USA) vs. Gavin Bren (USA)
