Written by Jason Hoover @hoovtangclan
Photos by Carolina sessions @carolina_sessions and Chad Lefevre @chad_lefevre
Labor Day Weekend had an extra flare this year with the culmination of the inaugural Carolina Cup Pro Am, sponsored by Caro Surf Brand and Surf Dreams Foundation. This contest is the first on the East Coast to feature an Adaptive Pro division, while also showcasing a WSL Judging panel and a live heat/real time scoring system. Competitors ranging in ages from 6-60 traveled from as far away as Florida and New Jersey to Garden City, South Carolina to participate and hope for their shot at $6000 in prize money and awards.
Mens Pro winner Cam Richards. @carolina-sessions
When the action kicked off on Saturday morning, the frothing participants took turns in waist to chest high sets showing their skills. On the Men’s Pro side of the contest, hometown hero Cam Richards edged out an in-form Micha Cantor to earn the custom award and a $1500 payday! Virgina Beach local Rachel Wilson, coming off of a stellar ECSC performance, kept her hot streak alive, claiming the top spot and cash prize in a very close heat by edging out local charger, Brianna Labiak.
Women’s Pro winner Rachel Wilson. Photo: Carolina Sessions @carolina-sessions
During the fan favorite Adaptive Pro division, Kristopher Angone and Ernie Johnson grabbed the podium spots, followed respectively by Brock Johnson in 3rd, and Anthony LeBoutillier in 4th. Bear Von Horn styled his way to victory in the Longboard Pro, as well as coming in 2nd to Outer Banks local Will Deane in the Junior Pro. Will Deane also went on to earn a win in the Boys’ 11-13 division over New Jersey local, Cooper Jewell. Both the U18 longboard and Open longboard title went to the smooth stepping Mack Landry.
Adaptive Pro winner Kristopher Angone. Photo: Chad Lefevre @chad_lefevre
Those in attendance to witness the tiniest competitors watched an exciting co-ed battle that saw VB local JB2 win the parent push-in division over Emery Bryan, Reid Piotrowski, and fellow VB charger, Asher Craft. The co-ed U10 final was won by Hayden Boysen, closely followed by Reid Chickey in 2nd, Makai Gibson in 3rd and Dylan Roberts in 4th.
Longboard Pro winner Bear Van Horn. Photo: Carolina Sessions @carolina_sessions
1st Girls U-14 and 3rd Womens Pro Camden Hoover. Photo: Carolina Sessions @carolina_sessions
Other notable performances included a win by Bradley Bailey in the Mens’ 50 and up division, while contest director Phil Jackson (aka Belly Slater) earned a tight victory in the Mens’ 40-49 division over Robbie Fennell. Katelyn Sewell and Camden Hoover earned victories in the U18 and U14 girls’ divisions. Floridian/Iron Woman Jasmine Gailey surfed her way to a handful of finals and claimed the 4th spot in the Womens’ Pro. Wrightsville Beach’s Charles Oblinger battled to a Pro podium while also laying claim to the Boys’ 14-17 final!
The joy to be back in a contset singlet competing once again had the stoke meter pegged on the beach and in the water but nobody digs it more than Carolina Cup contest creator / director / Beautiful Surf Dreamer Phil Jackson. Photo: Chad Lefevre @chad_lefevre
2020 CAROLINA CUP RESULTS:
Co-Ed Parent Push-In
1st – JB2
2nd – Emery Bryan
3rd – Reid Piotrowski
4th – Asher Craft
Parent Push In Winner “JB2”. Photo: Carolina Sessions @carolina_sessions
Open Pro
1st – Cam Richards
2nd – Micha Cantor
3rd – Charles Oblinger
4th – Shane Burn
2nd place Mens Pro Micha Cantor. Photo: Carolina Sessions @carolina_sessions
Adaptive Pro
1st – Kristopher Angone
2nd – Ernie Johnson
3rd – Brock Johnson
4th – Anthony LeBoutillier
Ernie Johnson. Photo: Chad Lefevre @chad_lefevre
Womens’ Pro
1st – Rachel Wilson
2nd – Brianna Labiak
3rd – Camden Hoover
4th – Jasmine Gailey
2nd place Womens Pro Bree Labiak. Photo: Carolina Sessions @carolina_sessions
Co-Ed U10
1st – Hayden Boysen
2nd – Reid Chickey
3rd – Makai Gibson
4th – Dylan Roberts
Judges, jury and shaka’s stylist’s ( left to right ) Brian Simpson, David Portch, Rachel Wilson, Phil “Belly Slater” Jackson, Chris Burnette, Jeremy “Jerm” Saukel, Adam Dills and Gordon “Gordo” Lawson. Photo: Chad Lefevre @chad_lefevre
Boys’ 11-13
1st – Will Deane
2nd – Cooper Jewell
3rd – Cose Stoyanoff
4th – Mako Musilunas
1st Boys 11-13 Will Deane. Photo: Will Walling @will_is_dakine
Boys 14-17
1st Charles Oblinger
2nd – Will Deane
3rd – Cose Stoyanoff
4th Cam Davis
1st Boys 14-17 Charles Oblinger. Photo: Carolina Sessions @carolina_sessions
Mens’ 18-29
1st – Chris Moore
2nd – Ciaran O’Clerigh
3rd – Mason Yohe
4th – Ethan Bell
Beautiful Blue Mood at the pier. Photo: Carolina Sessions @carolina_sessions
Mens’ 30-39
1st – Charlie Guss
2nd – Mathew Lee
3rd – Joseph Muniz Sr.
2020 Carolina Cup HQ. Photo: Chad Lefevre @chad_lefevre
Mens’ 40-49
1st – Belly Slater
2nd – Robbie Fennel
3rd – Michael Rutenburg
4th – Mike Huffman
Groms and the Po-Po. Nothing but fun waves, good vibes and smiles all around at the 2020 Carolina Cup. Photo: Carolina Sessions @carolina_sessions
Mens’ 50 & up
1st – Bradley Bailey
2nd – Joe Gillen
3rd – Wilton Jordan
4th – Brian Simpson
The Mens Pro winners circle. Photo: Carolina Sessions @carolina_sessions
Open U18 Longboard
1st – Mack Landry
2nd – Jasmine Gailey
3rd – Noah Harrell
4th – Mako Musilunas
Mako Mesalunas has no fear and competed in both the U-18 Longboard and took 4th in the Boys 11-13. We love this kids energy and moxy. Photo: Carolina Sessions @carolina_sessions
Open Longboard
1st – Mack Landry
2nd – Chris Moore
3rd – Joe Gillen
4th – Noah Harrell
1st Open Longbaord andMack. Photo: Chad Lefevre @chad_lefevre
Longboard Pro
1st – Bear Von Horn
2nd – Trip Chandler
3rd – Mack Landry
4th – Chris Moore
2nd place Longboard Pro, Trip Chandler. Photo: Carolina Sessions @carolina_sessions
Girls U14
1st – Camden Hoover
2nd – Whitney Gwisc
3rd – Bella Faircloth
4th – Ella Bethard
Girls U-14 winner Cam hoover. Photo: Carolina Sessions @carolina_sessions
Junior Pro
1st – Will Deane
2nd – Bear Von Horn
3rd – Cooper Jewell
4th – Charles Oblinger
1st Junior Pro Will Deane. Photo: Chad Lefevre @chad_lefevre
Phil and Cam. Photo: Chad Lefevre @chad_lefevre
AJ Jackson. Photo: Carolina Sessions @carolina_sessions
Chris Moore. Photo: Carolina Sessions @carolina_sessions
4th Boys 14-17 Cam Davis. Photo: Carolina Sessions @carolina_sessions
1st Womens Pro Rachel Wilson. Photo: Carolina Sessions @carolina_sessions
3rd Adaptive pro Brock Johnson. Photo: Carolina Sessions @carolina_sessions
1st Longboard Pro, 2nd Junior Pro Bear Van Horn. Photo: Carolina Sessions @carolina_sessions
Katelyn Sewell. Photo: Carolina Sessions @carolina_sessions
Cam richards. Photo: Carolina Sessions @carolina_sessions
Hot fun in the summertime at The Pier. Photo: Carolina Sessions @carolina_sessions
2nd Open Pro Micha Cantor. Photo: Carolina Sessions @carolina_sessions
Emery Bryan. Todays Push In’s are the future Open Pro champions. Photo: Carolina Sessions @carolina_sessions
Coper Jewell drinks in a Carolina style Tequila Sunrise before paddling out for a warm-up sesh at the 2020 Cup. Photo: Travis Huffstetler
