43| Tamaroa McComb
Birthday: February 3, 1992
Hometown: Tahiti

While renown for charging Teahupoo when it’s at its most psycho, Tahitian standouts like Poto, Ramiana Van Bastolear and Manoa Drollet had to start somewhere. For them it began on the other side of the island at a beachbreak called Papara, and today Tahiti’s latest crop of talent, led by Tamaroa McComb, is following in their footsteps. Originally from the island of Huahiné, McComb’s been polishing his fun-size act at Papara, and then when Teahupoo’s on he’s quickly proving himself capable there too. Taking down Number Four seed Ola Eleogram at the 2007 Billabong World Junior Championships, as well as giving Adriano De Souza a run for his money, McComb, the youngest competitor in the event, impressed plenty of pundits. This Tahitian regular-footer’s advanced style and multifaceted strengths should fare well for him.