Story by Michelle Sommers esa.org , photos and captions by Dick “Mez” Meseroll @mezapixels
Once again Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head, North Carolina provided the Eastern Surfing Association’s ( ESA ) annual Mid-Atlantic Regionals ( MAR ) throw down with superb weather, firing waves all awash in a joyful, good vibes, brothers and sisters type fellowship amongst all attendees .
Spring time Outer Banks and Jennette’s south side sandbars delivered once again for MAR. See you in September? Photo: Mez @mezapixels
The now 58 year old East Coast U.S. organization – the longest, continuously running c0mpetition group anywhere on the planet ( pro or am ) – scored 3-5 foot plus faces with offshore winds two days in a row providing both the main and secondary banks – both with distinctly different bottoms and wave types -fantastic opportunities for all surfers during the many double beached heats.
South Carolinas Chris Costa was, hands down the in form ripper of the entire event in our opinion. With a family of nine on the beach cheering him on, his surfing was super charged and inspired. His performances both front and backside earned him a win in the Legends Division and a very close third in the Mens Open Shortboard final with a score of 12.07 against first place getter Taylor Meekins final tally of 13.70 or, possibly, just one turn like this shy of the victory. Photo: Mez @mezapixels
Once again ESM, now www.easternsurf.com, was kindly invited by ESA executive Director, Michelle Sommers to cover this iconic event and she graciously provided us with the following competition report from her unique perspective of overseeing the event site and facilitating everyones needs backed up by a top notch support staff. Here is what Michelle had to say. – Mez –
Nags Head looking north with the vast Jennette’s Pier playing field below courtesy of the ESM drone. Photo: Mez @mezapixels
“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.
As the ESA’s Executive Director, Michelle Sommers, backed up by a talented, diverse and amazing pro-active support staff, is often called upon to solve problems, facilitate a myriad of logistics, patiently absorb and answer a variety of questions from the ridiculous to the sublime and, most importantly, make sure we’re all fed. Michelle finds the time to generously share her breakfast sandwich with Frank, the unofficial Regionals mascot and “our therapy dog” as she calls him. Photo: Mez @mezapixels
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 , it’s become the best locations for this regional event as well.
“There is always some magic happening in the area…” – Michelle Somers. The south side of the monolithic Jenettes Pier just ain’t for hooking up with sea trout. Catch of the day goes uncaught right next the the pier. Magic indeed. Photo: Mez @mezapixels
“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.”
MAR comp scaffold with a million dollar view. Photo: Mez @mezapixels
One of the biggest headlines at MAR is the ESA All-Stars, under the tutelage of coach Jason Motes, maybe the ESA’s winningest competitor of all time, came out on top for most of the youth and Open divisions.
‘Banks boy,Thomas Meekins was en fuego on the Main Bank during his quaterfinal heat. Photo: Mez @mezapixels
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.
Homegrown Outer Banks stone cold shredders, Taylor Meekins ( above ) won the elite Open Mens Shortboard division and came in second for the Boys 14-15. The Boys From The Banks are coming kids, bring your A +++ Game to Septembers Easterns championships! Below GIF sequence ofCash Souter skewering the lip line on his way to a win in the Boys 14-15 and also was a finalist in the Mens Open Shortboard. Photo and GIF by Mez @mezapixels
Cash Souter ( GIF sequence below ) , 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. Another outstanding performer in a contest stacked with top performers across all ages and genders, Timbers surfing was powerful, track sharp, and punctuated with high noon vertcal blasts both backhand and forehand along with some beautiful rail work.
ESA All-Star, Emerson Timbers High Noon vert on the Main Bank. Photo: Mez @mezapixels
Skylar Steinmetz is an ESA Southern North Carolina All-Star and she took home multiple trophies by winning the Girls 14-15, and the Womens Jr longboard. Steinmetz also reached the finals in the Womens Open Longboard and Open Shortboard final searning the ESA’s Iron Woman Award for her efforts.
North Carolina Wunder-gromette, Skylar Steinmetz, who killed it during last years MAR and Easterns, cleaned up once again and has serious potential going forward. You don’t want to draw her in a heat is all we can say. Photo: Mez @mezapixels
“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!”
Steinmetz, hammer down on her way to winning the Girls 14-15 shortboard, Jr Women longboard and Ironwoman accolade. Photo: Mez @mezapixels
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.
Skyler Dominguez, coming off a recent All-Star trip to the North Shore where she shined in some serious surf, dominated both the MAR 2025 Open Womens Shortboard and Jr Women 16-17 divisions. Photo: Mez @mezapixesl
“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.”
Sky high Dominguez. Photo: Mez @mezapixels
“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.”
Just a few of the dedicated, hard working judging crew going on a well deserved break from left to right : AJ Jackson, Josh Motes, Austin Clause and Danny Donahue. It’s obvious these very dedicated cats enjoy what they’re doing as well as each other. Team work makes the dream work! Photo: Mez
Click here for event’s full results on LiveHeats and go to the ESA website at esa.org for all things Eastern Surfing Association. – Michelle Sommers –
Harley De Pass not only served as a solid co-announcer with Surf Dreams Phil Jackson he had the energy to surf a bunch of long and shortboard heats taking out the Mens Longboard division between mic duties. Photo: Mez @mezapixels
Emerson Timbers throwing serious tail. Photo: Mez @mezapixels
Nothing will ever replace the Lighthouse days of yore for memories, waves and it’s one of a kind bucolic beauty but Jennette’s Pier is definitely a more than worthy comp site to carry on the ESA’s 58 year old competition traditions and it’s own boatload of indelible memories . Photo: Mezapixels
SoCar’s Noah Costa projecting on a backhand dreamer. Oh what one could do with this beautiful watery canvas! Photo: Mez @ezapixels
Georgia Brown is a force to reckon with on the ladybirds side of the draw. Expect big things from her and her fellow gromettes at Easterns. Photo: Mez @mezapixels
Best seats on the beach. The Main Bank judging panel POV. Photo: Mez @mezapixels
One of the consistent show stoppers of the entire comp, Emerson Timbers flying high off the top of another Main Bank gem. Photo: Mez @mezapixels
Lucas Petrillo, Open Longboard champ. Photo: Mez @mezapixels
Lucas Petrillo cool as a cuke’ with toes on the nose flashing form and style beyond his young years . One of the coolest things about the ESA over the years is how they have kept longboards squarely in their program, watching this generation of groms fully embrace it and rip the bag out of this age old discipline. Photo: Mez @mezapixels
Hartley De Pass about to pass through the eye a sweet barrel on Main Bank. Photo: Mez @mezapixels
Long time ESA stalwarts and CNC Co-District directors Tom Nixon ( left ) and Wes Whitt pulling flag duty both days. These are just two of the many faceless, tireless, selfless folks who keep the ESA train rolling down the sandy tracks on time with max efficiency at every comp large or small up and down the East Coast. You don’t successfully hang around for almost 60 straight years as an organization of this size grooming world champions, surf industry movers and shakers and just good human beings without people like this at the foundation. Our appreciation and thanks to each and every one of you. Photo: Mez. @mezapixels
