ESA All-Star 2025 Easterns Womens Open Shortboard Champion Ayla Stutzman Photo: MEZ/ESM
The Eastern Surfing Association (ESA) held its 2025 Easterns Surfing Championship presented by The Outer Banks Visitors Bureau at Jennette’s Pier September 14-20. The Easterns brings over 300 amateur surfers from Maine through Florida, and the Great Lakes, to the Outer Banks for a week-long event creating lasting memories and East Coast surfing champions.
This year marked the ESA’s 54th Easterns as the first event was held in 1971 after the ESA was formed in 1967. For nearly 40 years, The Easterns was held in Buxton, North Carolina at the famous Lighthouse. In 2012, the event was moved to the newly renovated Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head, where it continues to run every third week in September. While the probability is higher this time of the year waves, there is also a higher chance for coastal storms, which seems to become the norm every year.
“We can’t have waves without wind,” said Michelle Sommers, ESA’s executive director. “Through much experience, we know how to deal with these extreme weather conditions as they occur and are able to run the event in the best possible conditions in order to get everyone in the water when waves are ideal.”
On Sunday, a weather system to the south quickly intensified and moved north impacting the event on the first morning of heats being run. Event officials called the contest off on Sunday and the event remained on hold throughout Monday and Tuesday. Winds shifted offshore Tuesday just before dark and competitors flocked to the water to enjoy the sizeable waves. On Wednesday morning, the event was declared on and competitors scored with clean, fun waves.
Officials and competitors pushed through two 11-hour days double-beaching to give every competitor the best conditions of the week. Surfline’s forecast models read a bit smaller compared to what Jennette’s Pier offered up and “epic” contest conditions were had by all.
ESA All-Star and Maine’s Ayla Stutzman claimed first in Open Womens Shortboard and second in Jr Women 16-17. This was Stutzman’s last Easterns event in the ESA youth divisions.
“I’m stoked to have checked off my goal of winning Open Womens Shortboard at Easterns,” said Stutzman. “The waves came together in our final and made it super fun and exciting to surf with some many other rippers.”
2025 Easterns Mens Open Shortboard & Jr Men Shortboard champion All-Star Tucker Dempsey. Photo: MEZ/ESM
ESA All-Star and North Florida powerhouse Tucker Dempsey led the Men Open Shortboard and Jr Men 16-17.
“This was my fifth consecutive Easterns event and it has always been a dream of mine to win it,” said Dempsey. “To finally win both of my divisions makes all the hard work and dedication worth it.”
The highly competitive youth divisions put on a show for those on the beach and who viewed livestream that was produced by Delmarva Aerial 360.
Asher Clark, Berrien Becks and Everett Weyer took home the top trophies for Boys 14-15, Boys 12-13 and Boys 11 & under, respectively.
For the ladies, Georgia Brown won the Jr Womens 16-17, while ESA All-Stars Skylar Steimetz and Ansley West claimed first in Girls 14-15 & Girls 12-13, respectively. Lilly Parker won the Girls 11 & Under.
Kai Sommers, Charlie Guss and Scott Bradley won the Mens, Legends and Grand Legends shortboard divisions. Guss received the only perfect 10 in the event during his final following a 9.67.
Virginia’s Carson Maloney claimed two Easterns titles this year – Menehune Longboard & Mens Open Longboard Photo: MEZ/ESM
The longboard divisions were just as exciting to watch as Carson Maloney and Madison Bennett became the Men & Womens Open Longboard Champions. Maloney also claimed first in the Menehune Longboard 13 & Under M/F and ESA All-Star Bennett took home another first-place win for Jr Women Longboard 14-17.
Kydon Larabee, Hartley DePass, Ben Mullis and Tim Nixon became Easterns champions for Jr Men Longboard, Mens Longboard, Legends Longboard and Grand Legends Longboard, respectively.
Jessica Wallace and Linday McElveen won the Womens and Ladies Shortboard while Kylie Mulholland and McElveen won the Womens and Ladies Longboard.
Family-friendly activities were offered throughout the week including the Surfalorus Film Festival and an Easterns wrap party at Surfin’ Spoon with free ice cream and a meet & greet session with the Billabong international surf team.
Special thanks for The Outer Banks Visitors Bureau, Jennette’s Pier and Town of Nags Head for supporting this event every year. The ESA also wants to thank Kurt Korte from Surfline, Pepsi, Sun Realty, Johanna’s Catering and all the competitors, parents, volunteers and officials who made it possible.
Daily photo recaps from Mez may be found on Eastern Surf Magazine’s social media accounts and shared on ESA’s pages.
Full livestream footage by Delmarva Aerial 360 is available on SurfESA’s youTube channel and final results may be found here 2025 ESA Easterns, Jennette’s Pier, Nags Head, NC – Eastern Surfing Association (ESA) – Central HQ | Liveheats