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.

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.

Brent Dorrington
Birthday: February 24, 1987
Hometown: Coolangatta, Queensland, Australia

Hailing from the competitive hotbed of Coolangatta, Brent Dorrington-younger brother of Luke Dorrington-has managed to successfully carve a name as a young competitor to be reckoned with. Coming in as wild card in the 2007 Oakley Pro Junior, Dorrington's patience and foresight proved key during the final, when, in spotty surf, he waited for the right waves before mounting an assault to seize first place. A fierce competitor, and full of ambition, this natural-footer's win at Lower Trestle's in April gave him the boost he needed to take on the incessant pool of talent back home, where he also enjoys the added support of his family. Brent's father shapes boards, and, during his school years, his mother has always been much obliged to sign his truancy slips while he made an arduous ascent into the professional ranks. So far, the outlook is good, and Dorrington's consistent development points to success.