Junior surfers attending the selection camp

There are 19 participants from around the world in Australia for the Red Bull WQS Selection Camp.

Australia - Matt Wilkinson

Known as ‘Wilko’, Matt Wilkinso is a perpetually smiling 19 year old from Copacabana Beach, on the NSW Central Coast, with an impressive pro junior career to date. Scalps on his belt include 3rd place in the 2007 World Junior Titles, 2004 World Grom Titles and the Quiksilver World Junior Championships (under 16 division). “We moved to Copacabana when I was seven and my dad taught me to surf there when I was eight," said Wilkinson. He reckons his favourite wave is still his local point.

An early starter, Wilkinson’s career commenced with Gromfests at age nine, before swooping in and winning the under 12 division in a central coast event, the Dave Coke Memorial, at age 10. Wilkinson completed most of the WQS in 2007 and achieved a very respectable 99th, despite being sidelined part way through with a knee injury. Now he’s looking forward to the 2008 WQS season and is raring to go.

Wilkinson’s sponsors include Rip Curl (wet suits, clothing, shoes and sunglasses), boards from Wizstix, FCS and Gorilla Grip (grips and leashes). His training plan incorporates surfing and CHEK (Corrective Holistic Exercise Kinesiology). His surfing philosophy is all about staying positive and motivated. “Keep motivated, practice and train and do all the work," he says.

Australia - James Woods

When James Woods talks about his home break of Lennox Head on the northern NSW coast, his eyes light up and he gives a huge grin. “It’s God’s own country," says the 21 year old surfer.

So far the trophies on Woods’ shelf include the 2002 Under 16 World Titles and the 2004 Under 18 World Titles. While first snared by body boarding at age eight, Woods quickly switched to surfing a year later when his mates did. “I had a few surfing lessons over summer, then just got the bug," he recalls.

Woods says it was an idyllic time. “After school at Lennox, we’d ride home and surf every afternoon”.

His sponsors include Lost (boards and clothes), Dakine (accessories) and Electric Visual (sunglasses).

His intensive training program includes surfing, cardio, core exercises and boxing, and he also takes a practical approach to his competing. There’s no doubt that he’s giving it everything he can, but he reckons you have to keep the seriousness in balance. “Just remember why you started surfing, make sure you’re competing for the right reasons and don’t take the fun away from it," he says. Woods says the Red Bull WQS Selection Camp is a great opportunity. “It’s good to see everyone from all over the world coming here and give it a good crack to get a spot," he says.

 

 

Australia - Luke Dorrington

Luke Dorrington admits he was really happy when he took out the prestigious 2007 Rip Curl MP Classic title at Queensland’s Duranbah Beach. “Last year I did seven WQS events and it was great," says the 22 year old, whose travel is sponsored by Billabong. Dorrington comes from a large surfing family. Dad shapes some of his boards under the 6 Star label and Brent, one of his four brothers, is also competing. As well as appearing in the Billabong “Passionpop” video, he’s done a number of free surfing and photo trips. While stating that his all time favourite break is the Gold Coast’s Snapper Rocks. “The best surf I’ve ever had was at local secret spot with Mick Fanning," he says. Dorrington is aiming to make 2008 his year to really shine. “This year I want to do as many WQS events as I can," said the Coolangatta surfer. “I’m going to put my head down in 2008, put in a full year and make the top 50," he says. Dorrington’s surfing philosophy is to enjoy the moment. “Just try to have as much fun as possible, it beats any other job and learn a lot from every heat," he says.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Australia - Clint Kimmins

Clint Kimmins learned to surf as a three year old when his dad started pushing him into waves and that initial passion has never left him. “I started surfing when I a little kid and have not been able to stay away from it," says the 23 year-old, who still says that his career highlight was winning the World Under 16 title in 2000 in Bali. “My strength has been in big waves but my passion is for contests," says the Gold Coast surfer. Like many other WQS surfers, Kimmins is quietly determined to move into the WCT, but he says he’s as stoked to represent Australia as he is to win a local competition. "I’m happy to make the world team for Australia and go to the world titles," he adds. Kimmins’s form has been very consistent, always finishing in the top five of the ASP juniors.

His sponsors include Oakley and clothing and Gunther Rhon surfboards. With a training program designed to build flexibility and endurance, he crosses with gym workouts, runs a half marathon (21km) every fortnight and around 5-8 km every other day. However, he’s focussed on making his mark on the WQS.“I’ve never been so determined in my whole life," he says with a smile.

 

 

 

USA - Tanner Gudaskas

“What you see is what you get," grins Tanner Gudaskas, when asked about his surfing style.

The 19 year-old from Orange County, California comes from a surfing family and says he was stoked from the moment he was taken on the surf by his parents. “I started surfing at 10 and won a National Scholastic Surfing Association contest," he says. But it was not until he was 16, that he seriously considered a professional career. Since then, he’s made the 2005 US surf team and came 3rd at the 2007 World Juniors. Now his sponsors include O’Neil (wetsuits and clothing), Al Merrick (boards), Vans (shoes) and Community Project (grips). Gudaskas isn’t the only pro surfer in the family. He says he feels fortunate to have his 22 year-old twin brothers Patrick and Dane also on the WQS. “We can travel and surf together," he says. But while he laughs about their friendly fraternal rivalry, he doesn’t like surfing Patrick. “We jinx each other and both lose," he says.

Training regime includes pilates and he confesses that to relax, he likes doing housework. While he loves surfing his home break of Trestles, he rates Fiji’s Cloudbreak as “amazing”.

“I’m hoping to have a good year”, he says.

 

 

 

USA - Gavin Gillette

Hawaiian surfer Gavin Gillette can’t remember a time when he wasn’t surfing. “I’ve been surfing since I can remember, I’ve always been on a board," he says. “It’s in my blood, mum and dad who are my tow-in partners, are both amazing surfers." The 21 year-old natural footer from Kilauea on the northerly island of Kaua‘I, grew up surfing Pinetrees on Kaua‘i's north shore. Gillette says that he became fascinated with competitions as a youngster. Throughout his teens, he always ranked highly in the National Scholastic Surfing Association events. Last year Gillette withdrew from the WQS after his younger brother suffered a terrible motorcycle accident, but ranked 174th. 2007 also saw him take out 4th place in the Monster Energy Pro at the Banzai Pipeline. “It’s a job," he says of his surfing. “But if your job is fun, you want to do it all the time."

Sponsors include More Core Division (clothing and travel) Hawaiian Island Creations (boards), Globe (shoes), Oakley (sunglasses) and Dakine (board bags and leashes).

“2008 will be great – I’m going to be great and I’m aiming on making the WCT," he says. “Surf with your heart and keep your talent and ego out the equation."

 

 

 

Brazil - Wiggolly Dantas

Wiggolly Dantas is an 18 year-old surfing dynamo from Brazil’s Sao Paulo. The goofyfooter’s surfing addiction started when he was just three, when his older brother and sister taught him to stand on a board. In 2005, he was crowned Quiksilver King of the Groms in France. Now living in Itamambuca Beach south of Sao Paulo, he says that winning that event was a fantastic feeling. “I was crying with happiness when I won the title," he said. 2007 saw Dantas take out the American Billabong Pro Junior in Peru, and the quiet Brazilian with the engaging smile seems unstoppable for 2008. Sponsors include Quiksilver (clothing) and Thiago Bast Connhi (boards). Dantas says that the surfers he admires include Mick Fanning, Andy Irons and Kelly Slater. “My aim is to be on the WCT, it’s my dream," he said. “When there’s no waves I do boxing training and practice jujitsu."

Danatas also cites watching surfing movies for motivation. “I also watch surfing movies to get ideas and inspiration," he said. When it comes to naming his favourite surf breaks, Dantas obviously loves the biggies. “I love Pipeline because it’s a nice left and Teahupoo, as I like the dangerous wave."

 

 

 

 

 

Brazil - Christiano Peterson

At just 15, Christiano Peterson may look like your kid brother, but his powerful style blows most guys his senior out of the water. Surfing for over 12 years, he started competing at age nine and took out 2nd place in his first event. While that fired him up, the young surfer has only just decided that a professional career is for him. “’I want to win a world title," he said. Living at Curitbao on the coast between San Paulo and Santa Caterina, Peterson’s already racked up an impressive total of wins, including 2nd place in the 2007 International Rip Curl Grom Serach, won the 2006 under 14 division at the Brazil Championships and the 2006 Rip Curl Grom Search in Brazil. His sponsors include Billabong (wetsuits, travel and clothing), Custom (shoes), Von zipper (hats) and Ricardo Martins (boards). Aussies Taj Burrow and Occy head up the list of admired surfers. “I also like Andy Irons," he said. He feels fortunate to have surfed Australia, Indonesia, France and Hawaii. “My favourite place to surf is Snapper Rocks," he said. Twice a day, no matter what the conditions, Peterson the pocket rocket is out in the water, practising his manoeuvres and planning his next challenge.

 

 

 

 

Brazil - Alejo Muniz

Alejo Muniz has only been surfing for six of his 17 years, but the Brazilian dynamo has packed a huge amount of wave time and awards into those 72 months. As well as coming 2nd at the 2007 Billabong Pro Junior in Coffs Harbour in Australia, he took out the silver medal in the 2006 Quiksilver ISA WJSC as well as the at the 2004 world titles. Based at Bominhas, near Santa Caterina, Muniz hails from a close-knit surfing family. “My dad taught me and we all like to surf," he said. Determined to make surfing his career, Muniz has worked hard in and out of the ocean to follow his dream. “My dad said you can go out and try to get your place with the best surfers," he says. His sponsors include Quiksilver (travel), Ricardo Martine (boards) and GHS (grip and leashes).

Muniz says that he’s inspired by great wave riders such as fellow countryman Naco Padaradz, as well as Taj Burrow and, of course, the man everyone wants to beat, Kelly Slater. Confessing to a love of chocolate, the quietly spoken Muniz breaks into a huge smile when asked whether he likes surfing the best. “My sweet home," is his answer.

 

 

 

 

 

Chile - Manuel Garcia

The moment that 10 year old Manuel Garcia learned to surf in the Dominican Republic, he decided that this was what he was meant to do with his life. Since that moment, he’s spent the last eight years ripping up every wave he rides. Now 18 and a four year veteran of the Chilean team, he looks back on his early years with amazement. “I was pretty excited when I was first sponsored at 14”, says the ever-smiling Garcia who won the 2007 WCT trials in Chile. After winning the Dominican Republic Grommet division a year after he started surfing in 2001, Garcia’s form has continued to explode, seeing him win the 2005, 2006 and 2007 Latin American Junior Championships, Garcia’s form has improved at a supersonic rate, moving up from 50th in the 2004 Latin American Pro, 25th in 2005, 11th in 2006 and 7th in 2007 and was runner-up in the 2007 Pan-American Games. Garcia’s sponsors include Reef, Byrne Surfboards, Dragon, Nixon and Sector 9 and he’s looking forward to the 2008 WQS. Best ever surfing experience? “Chilean Red Bull rider Ramon Navarro and I won the 2007 expression session at the WCT Rip Curl event Chile, we were so stoked, we beat Slater and other great surfers,” he says.

 

 

 

 

France - Tim Boal

Self-taught French champion Tim Boal from St Martins in the Caribbean is stoked that he surfs for a living. Boal’s wins include the 2007 Reef Vendee and the 2004 Peniche Rip Curl Pro.

A keen waterman, Boal grew up on sailboats and spent his time was surfing, swimming and bodyboarding. While his sailing ability resulted in winning two French National Championships in the Optimist class, surfing is his first passion. Since winning his first European pro juniors competition in 2004, he’s never looked back. “I just try and have fun," he said modestly. Other surfers might be content to hold his high WQS ranking of 43, but 24 year old Boal is itching to get ripping for the 2008 series. His sponsors include Reef, Pukas, Oakley and the Surfersvillage website.

Boal’s structured training schedule includes surfing, core strength, weights and golf. While he recalls with glee a session in a solid 12 ft swell at Sunset as the biggest wave he’s ever surfed, Boal says that his beloved Hossegar is the break he’d choose to surf everyday.

“It’s important for me to know that I have done everything I could and have no regrets, I want to do what I can to reach my goals," said Boal.

 

 

 

 

France - Marc Lacomare

Sitting on 85 on the WQS, Toulouse born Marc Lacomare modestly attributes some of his success to his dad. “My father was a good surfer, he was one of the first surfers in Morocco," said the genial goofyfooter. After the family moved to France and he mastered the waves at Hossegor, Lacomare became intrigued with competing. “My dream was to be a pro surfer and so I started to do some contests."

He quickly rose through the ranks to win the European Junior Championship and was world #4 in 2006. Now living in Capbreton on the south coast near where he first rode a board, Lacomare’s sponsors include DC, Spy Optic, Quiksilver and Community Project. Lacomare is coached by world-class surfer Didier Piter whom he respects for his surfing at Pipeline. When there’s no waves, he admits to also loving a good swoop down a mountain on his skis. Focusing on achieving a good 2008, Lacomare’s preparation involves a range of cross-training in and out of the water. “As well as surfing, I’ve been boxing a little bit, running, doing core strength training and I love playing tennis," he said. “Surfing is very inspiring, I want to live by surfing."

 

 

 

 

 

France - Romaine Cloitre

Romaine Cloitre lives and breathes surfing. But while others talk about it, the 19 year old natural footer from Reunion Island in the Caribbean lets his competition rankings do the talking. An early passion at 11 years of age has seen him focus, practice and train constantly. But it’s not just passion that’s helped him rise to the top, he admits to loads of perspiration too.

All his hard work and patience has been rewarded with Cloitre taking out the 2007 Rip Curl Pro Junior in France, he’s won the 2007 Oakley Pro Junior, the 2007 Portuguese Pro Junior, the 2007 European Junior, was the 2004 French Junior Champion and came in a very respectable 9th at Narrabeen at the World Junior Titles earlier this year. He still gets a thrill when he recalls his first every victory. “I started surfing at 11, entered my first contest at 12 and won," he said with delight. Now Cloitre’s sponsors include Oakley, Chilli, Vans, Nixon, Sharp Eyes and Cante. As well as surfing he’s practised Judo, which he thinks helps him stay flexible. “My home break on Reunion Island is still my favourite place to surf," he said. He admits to liking the competition mindset. “My aim is to have fun, train to improve and do my best."

 

 

 

 

France - Charles Martin

Talented natural footer Charles Martin is an explosive force. At just 17, the quietly spoken surfer from Guadalupe, a tiny island in the Caribbean, has been single-minded about wave riding since he was eight.

“My father used to surf and he really encouraged me," said Martin, whose ripping form helped him secure 3rd place at the ASP World Junior Tiles in Narrabeen this year.

Sponsored by O’Neill, Oakley, Nike, Community Project, Action and Chilli, he’s now working hard to stay in form and qualify for the WCT as soon as he can. Like many Caribbean guys, when not surfing or training, Martin likes to kick a ball around. “I like chilling with the boys and playing soccer and listening to Dancehall music," he said. Being used to the warmer waves of his home break has not deterred the mature teen from scoring high in colder waters. The trilingual Martin who speaks French, English and Creole is now working on keeping his form and preparing his head-game for a good year on the WQS. After a solid session, Martin says he loves nothing better than enjoying his favourite Caribbean food. “It’s very exciting to be surfing with so many good surfers," he said.

 

 

 

 

 

England - Oliver Adams

Current UK open champion Oliver Adams may be at the top of English surfing, but he can still remember winning the English U18’s as a 17 year-old. “I just felt over the moon," he recalls. Now, some 16 years after his mum and dad pushed him out onto his first waves, the 22 year old surfer lives in Newquay in Cornwell, where he regularly braves the icy water in order to get his daily wave fix. He was also stoked to take out first place in the 2007 Goldrush Invitational which attracts the cream of British surfers.

He reckons that competition is in his blood. “My mum was a champion racing car driver in Formula Ford’s and Dad was a world champion driving sports cars," he said. “Ever since I was eight, I knew I wanted to do this, I’ve never strayed off the path and always did everything I could to make it," he said. “Now I’m here I’m stoked." His sponsors include, “Oakley, and I’m fortunate enough to be a product ambassador for Red Bull."

But there’s no resting on his laurels. In 2007 Adams competed first full year on WQS on 160 and now he’s aiming to break into the WCT by improving his form, upping his rankings during 2008.

 

 

 

 

Japan - Nobuyuki Osawa

Nobuyuki Osawa shows his samurai blood not just in the surf, but in the way he is quietly determined to work towards a place on the WCT. The winner of the 2007 Yumeya Billabong Pro Tahara and 2007 ASP Japan tours pro champion, 20 year old Osawa may have very limited English, but the moment you see his surfing, you know why he’s the man the expats call “Japan’s surfing Jedi”.

He started competing at age eight, and by 2003, he won the amateur division in the east Japan Championships and finished second in the nationals. “My father taught me surf at Kanagawa near Tokyo when I was three," he said. According to Asawa, his father is still his all-time any where any place, favourite surfing companion. Respected for aerial manoeuvrers, as he is for his commitment, Osawa lives in Chigasaki on Sagami Bay and works as a carpenter for his father to save money to pay for his travel expenses.

Osawa’s sponsors include Rash Wetsuits, Dragon sunglasses, Dick Brewer and Tools. Osawa lists his favourite breaks as Nijima Island in Japan and Australia’s Bells Beach. “My dream is to make the WCT so the only thing I think about is surfing," he said.

 

 

 

 

South Africa - Brandon Jackson

South African, Brandon Jackson, was taught by his father Bruce, a world-class surfer and the national team coach. The 20 year-old entered his first event at age 10, soon showing he was a chip off the old block, taking out the under 10’s at the nationals that same year.

"I started making the finals and thought if I stick on this path, why not go for it?" he recalls. Since then, he’s won a number of events including 1st at the Billabong Junior Series event at St Mikes in 2007, the under 20 boy’s title in the Premier Pro Junior event of the 2005 Billabong Junior series and placed equal 9th with fellow countryman Rudy Palmboom at the 2008 Billabong World Juniors. His sponsors include Quiksilver (clothes, wetsuit and travel), Spider Murphy (boards), Reef (shoes) and Community Project (grip and leashes).

Although he’s travelled the world, the genial Durbanite still loves his home break the best. “It gets really good at times, but outside of Durban, I love Snapper Rocks," he says. Currently on the WQS fulltime with a ranking of 230, Jackson is aiming to make 2008 the year he really makes his mark. Already planning his post-surfing career, Jackson has been concentrating on completing the national junior series and working on finishing his Bachelor’s degree in Commerce, majoring in financial risk at the University of South Africa.

South Africa - Rudy Palmboom

At just 19, Rudy Palmboom is a hugely talented and confident surfer. The Durban Bluff surfer’s many victories include the 2007 Billabong Junior Series at Jeffreys Bay, 2nd in the under 20 Pro Junior Division, 2nd in the Quiksilver King Of The Groms Event Three, the 2006 Quiksilver King Of The Groms, and equal 9th place at the recent 2008 Billabong World Juniors at Narrabeen.

Surfing is a family affair, with Palmboom’s mother managing his career and his father offering pointers out in the waves. “My dad taught me when I was seven, he was a good surfer in his prime and still rips and mum is amazing," said Palmboom. But the South African prefers to let his surfing do the talking. “I always said I’d like to win without boosting and lose without excuse," he said. His younger sister Heidi is also a talented boardrider and is already following in his wake. To keep in tune for surfing, he regularly runs the dunes at his local beach and skips. Sponsors include Billabong (wetsuits and clothing), Red Bull (travel) and Spider (boards).

He’d also like to make surfing films. “It’s always been my dream to be in surf movies; to be that guy," he said.

 

 

 

 

Israel - Roni Eshel

When Roni Eshel makes up her mind to do something, the 23 year old pocket surfing rocket from Israel moves heaven and earth to get there. A late starter at 16, she taught herself to surf at Israel’s Herzelva beach, Eshel’s focus and courage shone through when she took out the 2004 national women’s title just two years later. “I grabbed a friend’s board and fell in love the same second I caught a wave”, she recalls. “I’m just in love with surfing”, say the petite brunette. Eshel feels that her lifelong ballet training, together with her swimming and yoga, helps her prepare for competitions. Although Eshel has come along way in the last seven years, she has her sights on going a lot higher. “I’m aiming to make the women’s WQS next”, she says. Eshel says that while she loves surfing at home, she likes to get as much ocean wave time as she can, paddling out every chance she gets at San Diego, Bali, and Costa Rica. “I really admire Mick Fanning, Stephanie Gilmore, Sophia, Slater and Rasta”, she says.

Eshel’s boards are sponsored by Intersurf. “When our team made the semis in the 2007 European Championships, I felt it was a great achievement”, she says.