16-year-old Lopez secures second QS win while Carr earns maiden WSL victory in dramatic East Coast finale
Nags Head, NC — The 2025 WRV Outer Banks Pro Presented by Pacifico concluded with compelling championship performances as Alana Lopez (USA) and Cannon Carr (USA) claimed victories in challenging two-to-three-foot conditions at the iconic Jennette’s Pier. Both surfers delivered clutch performances in their respective finals, with Lopez earning her second career QS victory and Carr breaking through for his maiden WSL win.
Lopez Dominates East Coast Campaign
At just 16 years old, Alana Lopez continues to establish herself as one of North America’s most promising QS talents. The Daytona Beach, Florida native’s victory moves her to No. 6 on the rankings following a dominant East Coast leg that showcased her competitive maturity beyond her years.
Lopez’s path to victory required overcoming fellow teenager Reid Van Wagoner (USA) in a tactical final where scoring opportunities proved scarce in the choppy wind swell. The decisive moment came when Lopez found a running left-hand wave that allowed her to unleash her backhand attack, posting a crucial 5.33 to establish a lead she would maintain through the final ten minutes.
“I’m super stoked to win that Final. Coming up against Reid was scary, and I’m just so happy to get my second QS win here on the East Coast,” Lopez explained. “Being from Florida, it just feels really close to home, similar waves and sunrises, I love it.”
The victory caps a remarkable Finals Day performance that included the event’s highest heat total of 17.27 in her quarterfinal victory over Southern California standout Eden Walla (USA), featuring a near-perfect 9.60 single wave score.
Carr’s Long-Awaited Breakthrough
For Cannon Carr, the victory represents the culmination of years of near misses and persistent effort. The 19-year-old from San Clemente, California, had reached three previous QS finals, including a runner-up finish at this same event in 2023, before finally breaking through with a dramatic buzzer-beater victory.
Carr’s final against Wheeler Hasburgh (CAN) remained tight throughout, with Hasburgh holding a slim lead entering the final minutes. Under pressure and needing a 3.00 with less than a minute remaining, Carr found a wave that allowed him to link a two-turn combination, earning a 3.60 and his first WSL victory.
“To win my first QS on the buzzer feels insane. I didn’t know what I needed, but knew I needed a small score and wasn’t sure if that was it, so I’m super stoked,” Carr said. “I’ve been working really hard, and last year it felt like my surfing was there, but didn’t make a heat pretty much all year, so I’m super stoked it finally paid off.”
The victory moves Carr to No. 5 on the QS rankings and provides crucial momentum as he pursues Challenger Series qualification for the 2025/2026 season.
Strong Runner-Up Performances
Wheeler Hasburgh’s runner-up finish marked his third career QS final and represented a significant bounce-back after a slow start to the season. The 19-year-old Canadian demonstrated the form that carried him to the 2024 final at this same event, posting impressive heat totals throughout Finals Day, including a 15.00 semifinal performance against Carl Burger (USA).
“It’s a better result than last year, but obviously I wanted to take the win. But, big congrats to Cannon, it’s been a long time coming for him,” Hasburgh reflected. “I had a slow start to the season, and this is a big confidence booster.”
Reid Van Wagoner’s final appearance marked her first of the 2025/2026 season and moved her to No. 4 on the rankings. The Carlsbad, California competitor’s path to the final included a standout quarterfinal performance against rising Virginia Beach talent Story Martinez (USA) and a semifinal victory over QS veteran Lilie Kulber (USA).
Championship Implications
The Outer Banks results significantly impact the North American QS rankings as the season progresses toward Challenger Series qualification. Lopez’s victory, combined with her consistent East Coast performances, positions her strongly for a potential Challenger Series berth, while Carr’s breakthrough provides the confidence and points needed to maintain his qualification campaign.
The event also showcased the depth of North American surfing talent, with notable performances from established competitors like Ella McCaffray (USA), who reached the semifinals despite her recent Virginia Beach victory, and local favorite Bo Raynor (USA), who advanced to the quarterfinals.
Looking Ahead
The North American QS season continues with the Super Girl Surf Pro QS 4,000 in Oceanside, California, scheduled for September 19-21. The higher-point event will feature the addition of Hawaii/Tahiti Nui competitors to the draw, creating additional challenges for the East Coast standouts as they seek to maintain their ranking positions.
For Lopez and Carr, the Outer Banks victories provide crucial momentum heading into the California event, where they’ll face expanded international competition in their pursuit of Challenger Series qualification.
Finals Day Excellence
The challenging conditions at Jennette’s Pier demanded tactical surfing and wave selection skills, with both champions demonstrating the mental fortitude required for QS success. Lopez’s ability to find scoring opportunities in difficult conditions, combined with Carr’s clutch performance under pressure, highlighted why both surfers are considered rising stars in competitive surfing.
The event’s conclusion marks the end of a successful East Coast leg that has helped identify the next generation of American surfing talent while providing crucial ranking points in the race toward Challenger Series qualification.
World Surf League (WSL) News:
- WSL Finals Fiji on Hold as World’s Best Surfers Await Perfect Swell at Legendary Restaurants
- North America’s Elite Surfers Converge on Outer Banks for Season-Defining QS 2,000
- Massive Surf and Weather Chaos Mark Opening Day of ABANCA Pantin Classic Galicia Pro
- McCaffray and Moss Triumph at Virginia Beach Pro in Spectacular East Coast Showdown
- Virginia Beach Pro: Top Seeds Dominate Storm Swell as Defending Champ Barton Posts Near-Perfect Debut
- Virginia Beach Pro Opens with Stellar Performances as Storm Threatens Competition
- Swell Builds for Virginia Beach Pro as Defending Champions Return
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