Eric Geiselman
Birthday: March 9, 1988
Hometown: New Smyrna, Florida

Yearning to be the next torchbearer for the Right Coast, and with big names like Slater, Lopez, Hobgood, and now Kling ahead of him, this regular-footed U.S.A. surf team member has a lot to live up to. Even after winning the 2006 North American ASP Junior title he still lacks some of the hype that surrounded some other Florida stars as they rose in the sky of surfing stardom. He fractured his wrist this winter surfing Rocky Point when an attempted back flip when awry, but showing the resilience of youth, he recovered quickly and hasn't missed a beat. “Right now, he's probably the best surfer his age coming out of the East Coast,” says SURFER East Coast correspondent Kevin Welsh. “He comes from a very surf-stoked family. His younger brother, Evan, isn't half bad either, and his parents are totally dedicated to giving them all the tools they need.”


Nick Rozsa
Birthday: September 22, 1987
Hometown: Oxnard, California

The Oxnard/Ventura area is still one of California’s most hardcore outposts, blue-collar and salty. It also tends to show the talent it fosters in bits and pieces—A Tim Curran here, a Dane Reynolds there. But since Reynolds’ breakout, it’s become obvious that there’s no shortage of progressive talent brewing up on the Central Coast, and Nick Rozsa is part of its new guard. From inverted, un-namable airs, to a solid 4th place showing on the ASP’s domestic Junior tour, this freakish regular-foot has the competition/progression combo covered. The question of mental toughness has been raised, as Rozsa’s reputed to have somewhat of a hot head. But it could just be the fire of youth burning. With the likes of Reynolds and Curran regularly making appearance at the very same Oxnard locations Rozsa’s known to frequent, look for his surfing to continue to progress, even as he focuses on the ’QS in 2007

Cory Arrambide
Birthday: June 22, 1989
Hometown: Santa Barbara, California

Growing up in Ventura with its world-class pointbreaks just up the road, Cory Arrambide’s surfing has enjoyed prosperous development in recent years. An integral member of the surging U.S.A. surf team, Arrambide got his first taste of the big leagues this year when was given a wildcard into the Billabong Pro at Mundaka. In his Round Two heat he drew Kelly Slater, and while we all know how that story ends, the experience will surely stay with him. “He’s less than half my age. It’s kind of funny,” said Slater after their heat. “I was thinking about when I was 17 and surfed against Barton Lynch, who was the world champion that year. I came really close to beating him. It was pretty exciting.” In the tradition of Rincon aficionados such as Tom Curren and Bobby Martinez, Arrambide is the owner of a clean style that boasts little wasted movement. A bit on the quiet side, he’s going to have step outside of himself if he’s to successfully make the transition to the next level.

Killian Garland
Birthday: January 1, 1987
Hometown: Orcutt, California

Orcutt, California, might not be much of a surf town, but Killian Garland has used its proximity to top spots in both Northern and Southern California to build a massive repertoire of surfing skills. His father lives in Santa Barbara, which has given Garland access to lined up points like Rincon, while his mom resides in Orcutt, in close proximity to the pounding Central Coast sandbars. A striking free-surfer, over the past several years Garland has put together quite a competitive resume, including five NSSA titles and a solid ninth place at last September’s Op Newport Classic. Look for Killian’s creativity and adaptation to bring him further acclaim.

Dane Ward
Birthday: July 29, 1987
Hometown:San Clemente, California

A solid, well-rounded surfer, after a noteworthy amateur career Dane Ward is still waiting to stomp a spot out amongst the professional ranks. Already proven in some heavy surf, and a heck of a competitor thanks to the tight-knit San Clemente crew he grew up with (including the Gudauskas brothers and Nate Yeomans), Dane knows what he has to do. “He made a big impression this winter,” recounts Orange County elder Mike Parsons. “He showed at Pipe this year that he’s definitely not afraid. He was really pushing it. He’s finally enjoying some upward momentum.” If he can take his flowing form, groomed on the speedy walls of Trestles and apply it with a sense of urgency and drive, good things can happen.

KALANI DAVID
Birthday: November 4, 1997
Hometown: Haleiwa, Hawaii

It’s a plague that’s nearing epidemic proportions: Today, at younger and younger ages, America’s youth is developing a strong dependency on adrenaline. Kalani David is one such casualty, addicted to busting five-foot method airs out of the pipe, high-speed death runs on his dirt bike, and heavy-water hold-downs on the North Shore. At only 10 years old, young Kalani is at the cutting edge of the X Games generation. Born on the beach in Jaco, Costa Rica, on a surfboard by one-and-a-half, and barreled by three, David made a name for himself in the water at an earlier age than even John John. And while that alone speaks volumes, the fact that people have already dubbed him “Triple Threat” because of his comparable talents on a skateboard and dirk bike is what’s most telling. As long as he doesn’t freak his parents out or break himself too badly somewhere along the way, this regularfooter’s going to be keeping the world entertained for years.

BLAKE JONES
Birthday: June 26, 1988
Hometown: Melbourne Beach, Florida

Blake Jones’ inverted 540 air at the 2006 NSSA Nationals, which won him the air show, cemented his place as one of the East Coast’s top prospects. With a top-20 finish on the domestic ASP junior tour, Jones has also proven he’s got what it takes to make heats using the rest of his repertoire. Beyond the occasional 21st century flight resulting in the odd solid result, Jones will need to consider upgrading his power source. He’s a talented free-surfer, but like Jeremy Johnston, it’s going to take some serious time away from Florida before he’s competitive on a global stage.

NAT YOUNG
Birthday: June 17, 1991
Hometown:Santa Cruz, California

Skinny as a rail, light on his feet, Nat Young’s not only wired the requisite futuristic maneuvers, but also appears to be able to maintain a sense of style and stoke while doing it. Simply put, the kid is going to make his legendary Australian namesake proud. He’s hands down the hottest thing coming out of Northern California, and his Santa Cruz locale is ideal for honing a myriad of skills in different wavescapes. Santa Cruz’s West Side may be one of the hardest places in the world to be a grommet, but as the Chosen One at Steamer Lane he appears to have the inclination and gumption to remain undeterred. “He’s in the water constantly,” points out Santa Cruz photographer Patrick Trefz. And if surfing doesn’t work out? His middle name is Cy, as in Cy Young, so who knows, he may make a hell of a pitcher.

EVAN GEISELMAN
Birthday: August 31, 1993
Hometown: New Smyrna, Florida

There are a lot of people on the Eastern Seaboard with eyes on Evan Geiselman, eagerly anticipating his ascension to a more global stage. Born into a family of surfers, he’s been showing up on the beach since he was a baby. And today, while his dad still shapes all of his boards and his older brother, Eric, is quickly establishing himself as one of America’s best junior surfers, Evan’s already developed a reputation as possibly the single most stylish waverider younger than 13. “He makes it look so easy,” says Luke Davis, who knows Geiselman’s surfing well. “He surfs like Rob Machado.” A member of the USA surf team, domestically Geiselman’s already credited with numerous competitive successes, most notably as the ’04 NSSA mini-grom champ. But what stands out about Geiselman’s not what he’s won, but how he’s won it. The miniature goofyfooter possesses an intuitive, seemingly second-nature ability to link every section of the wave together into one, long, complete narrative. Thanks to his own penchant for power, and perhaps a little inspiration from two senior Florida goofys, C.J. and Damien Hobgood, Geiselman’s rail work is well defined. And his rock-solid, high-performance act is a given.

KOA SMITH
Birthday: January 2, 1995
Hometown: Kilauea, Hawaii

When Koa Smith showed up at the 2006 SURFER Poll wearing a fur coat and gold chain, it became apparent that the kid was something special. Another product of Pine Trees, similarities between Koa Smith and Andy Irons are already being drawn. “He’s probably the best thing coming out of Kauai right now,” says Irons. “He’s like a little Tom Carroll or Rob Machado. Yeah, the kid’s good.” Under the tutelage of Ben Aipa, Smith is bubbling over with goofyfooted talent. The ’06 NSSA mini-grom and Rip Curl GromSearch national champ has most recently picked up stand-up paddle surfing to help with his balance and skills as an overall waterman. With a bright, enthusiastic personality and all the right mentors, Smith is well on his way to a life on the beach.

Adam Wickwire
Birthday: March 15, 1988
Hometown: Satellite Beach, Florida

While it seems like Adam Wickwire has been in the spotlight forever—and for good reason, because his talent is undeniable—it’s easy to forget that he’s only 18 years old. A few quiet years have left many wondering when he’s going to buckle down and make a push. “He’s still growing up,” says photographer Kevin Welsh, who’s watched Wickwire since he first stood on a surfboard. “There’s a lot of energy there, and a ton of talent, but think about what you were doing when you were 18? He’ll come around.” He spent a great deal of ’06 on the road as an integral part of Rip Curl’s Search program. That, coupled with his 6th place finish on the domestic junior tour, suggests he’s beginning to consider some long-range goals for his career. But with easily enough potential to be in the upper ranks of this list, he needs to start making the most of the opportunities ahead of him before they vanish.