7| Nick Rupp
Birthday: May 1, 1994
Hometown: Ocean Isle, North Carolina

Growing up on one of the southernmost barrier islands of North Carolina’s wave-rich Outer Banks, Nick Rupp has easy access to some of the best waves on the East Coast, and it’s paying off. Boys’ champion of the 2006 Eastern Surfing Championships, the young regularfooter demonstrates great control of speed and fluidity. Rupp possesses a natural sense of the ocean, which is evident in his wave selection and positioning. With stand-up talents such as Jesse Hines and Noah Snyder coming out of the Outer Banks, Rupp has plenty of local inspiration to draw from as well.

8| 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.

9| LahiKoila Minamishin
Birthday: May 1, 1994
Hometown: Kealakekua, Hawaii

Kealakekua, the site of Captain Cook’s murder more than 200 years ago, has now produced LahiKoila Minamishin, next in line to continue the revolutionary work of Big Island boys Casey Brown and Tonino Benson. Like both Brown and Benson, Minamishin is best above the lip, but capable of good things on the open face as well. Given a chance to compete in the 2006 NSSA Nationals thanks to the generosity of Fred Patacchia, Minamishin created quite a stir this year by placing second in the Open Mini-Grom division, falling to an in-form Koa Smith, but besting Taylor Clark and Kalani David.