By Tatum Love, Staff Writer

The WRV Outer Banks Pro made its annual visit to a local surf break over Labor Day weekend. This World Surf League-sanctioned event brought surfers from around the world to Jennette’s Pier from as far away as France, Brazil, Costa Rica and California.

First Flight High School journalism students Tatum Love and Fiona McKenna were there to cover the action. The four-day event started with hundreds of surfers battling for a spot in the finals on Saturday, Sept. 4. While the waves were subpar that day, the surfing was next level. Hundreds of locals and beach-goers enjoyed the weather and festivities as the competitors battled it out in the ocean with an array of skills, stunts and styles. 

Toward the end of the competition, there were two Californians left standing. In the women’s division, Alyssa Spencer, from Carlsbad, California, took top honors and won the $2,500 first prize. In the men’s division, Taro Watanabe from Malibu won first place and took home that $2,500 check. 

Nighthawk News got the chance to interview Spencer live on the WSL network alongside commentator Mark Yonkers – check out the WSL recap here! The WRV Outer Banks Pro continues to be one of the premier surfing events on the East Coast.

Senior Tatum Love can be reached at 22loveta53@daretolearn.org.