ESA 2025 Mid-Atlantic Regionals at Jennette’s Pier Photo: MEZ/ESM Eastern Surf Magazine
Nags Head, North Carolina – The second stop of ESA’s regional championships was another epic event with pumping surf for competitors from Virginia through South Carolina coming together for the 2025 Mid-Atlantic Regionals. Jennette’s Pier always seems to offer contestable waves for the ESA events each year that makes this location a popular one amongst other surfing organizations.
The ESA chose Jennette’s over 13 years ago as its venue for The Easterns every year, and since it’s the biggest wave magnet in the Mid-Atlantic region, it’s become the best locations for this regional event as well.
“The Outer Banks is an ideal place to offer a surfing event,” said ESA’s executive director Michelle Sommers. “There is always some magic happening in the area, so we get waves for our events. Sometimes it’s a freezing nor’easter and other times it’s great weather with a surprise swell that arrives.”
The ESA All-Stars came out on top for most of the youth and Open divisions.
Outer Banks local brothers and All-Stars Thomas and Taylor Meekins made up some of the strongest competitors of the events. Surfing the Mens division for the first year, Thomas won first place. Taylor won the elite Open Mens Shortboard division and came in second for the Boys 14-15.
ESA All-Star Taylor Meekins Photo: MEZ/ESM
Cash Souter, another strong Outer Banks All-Star, won Boys 14-15 and also was a finalist in the Mens Open Shortboard. Souter tied for the event’s Hot Wave Award with scoring a 9.5. Jacob Hepp, an ESA Developmental Team member also received a 9.5 in his Boys 11 & under final that helped him win first.
ESA Central North Carolina All-Star Emerson Timbers was a stand-out this weekend as well winning the Jr Mens division and getting second in Mens Open Shortboard.
Skylar Steinmetz is an ESA Southern North Carolina All-Star and she took home multiple trophies by winning the Girls 14-15 shortboard and Jr Women longboard. Steinmetz also reached the finals in the Womens Open Longboard and Open Shortboard final. She was awarded the ESA’s Iron Woman Award for her efforts.
“I’m so happy with my wins and final placings in all my divisions,” said Steinmetz. “Grateful to take home the Iron Woman Award as every heat I surfed was a blast!”
ESA All-Star Skylar Steinmetz Photo: MEZ/ESM “I had an amazing time at ESA’s 2025 Mid-Atlantic Regionals”
All-Star Skye Dominguez is the Mid-Atlantic Open Womens Shortboard and Jr Women 16-17 champion. Dominguez is from Southern South Carolina and attended ESA’s All-Star Hawaii training trip in March along with Steinmetz, Timbers, the Meekins brothers and other All-Stars from the ESA.
“Claiming back-to-back wins was such an awesome feeling,” said Dominguez. “So stoked for the fun waves we had for the contest and all the girls who pushed me to drop some high scores during my heats.”
Click here for event’s full results on LiveHeats.
“Seeing the results of our All-Stars proves that ESA’s training program, both in Hawaii and on the East Coast works,” said Sommers. “Giving our competitors opportunities that they may not have otherwise by working with elite pro coaches and surfing world-class waves helps them realize their potential and gain valuable confidence.”
Special thanks to the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau and Jennette’s Pier. The third and final stop will be May 9-11 in Ocean City, Maryland for the ESA’s 2025 Northeast Regionals.
ESA All-Star Emerson Timbers Photo: MEZ/ESM