It’s the earliest of days on the World Qualifying Series right now, and between here and the promised land of a berth on the 2018 world tour lies fifty-odd contests, three-hundred-odd starry-eyed surfers, and ten whole months of ups, downs and waiting in stale airport lounges to surf one-foot dribble on the other side of the world. But kids will always chase their dreams, and of those who’ve made the gutsy decision to go after them this year, the following five surfers look like they’ve got both the promise and the early momentum to potentially turn their dreams into reality by year’s end.
Cam Richards
Does the name sound familiar? Before Cam won the Carve Pro at Maroubra in January, before he finished second to Ty Watson at the Telstra Stores Tweed Coast Pro over the weekend, an eighteen-year-old Cam Richards was up against Dane Reynolds in the 2013 Hurley Pro Video Trials—and the kid put up one hell of a fight. With a social media presence that garnered support from all corners of the Internet, including celebrities like Jamie Foxx, the virtual unknown went within a bee’s dick of landing more votes than the world’s most exciting surfer, and he caused quite an uproar along the way. Now that same kid is leading the QS ratings and proving former naysayers wrong with a brand of surfing that combines an innovative air-game with some pretty handy rail-work, and while he still might not be Dane, he definitely looks like he’s got the goods to mix it up on tour.
Kalani Ball
There’s something about Kalani Ball and the way he’s started 2017 that brings to mind Ethan Ewing’s run last year. Maybe it’s the blonde hair, maybe it’s that flashy natural-footed flair that reminds you of past greats like Taj Burrow, or maybe it’s just the fact he’s had two stand-up results straight off the bat. Whatever the reason, there’s no guarantees that the youngster from Stanwell Park will be able to repeat what his friend and fellow Billabong team rider pulled off last season, but he’s surfing good in the best possible way, with speed, style and a certain kind of something that can’t help but catch your eye, and if he does that all year, then who knows where he might find himself by the end of 2017. *Scroll to the 21:11 mark to see Kalani go ham and eggs in the Mentawais in 'Now and Tomorrow' above.
Jack Robinson
In terms of performance levels, in terms of abilities in world-class waves, Jack Robinson should probably be on tour already. It feels like we’ve been seeing flashes of the Margaret River wonder kid’s brilliance for the better part of the last decade, but unfortunately it’s rarely been in the form of notable contest performances. With a win at Sunset this January and a pronounced desire to make the world tour, 2017 could be the year that Jack delivers on his reputation and puts himself in the place where talent like his belongs.
Peterson Crisanto
As a former Rio Pro wildcard, Peterson Crisanto seemed like an integral part of the young Brazilian contingent that was taking the world by, um, storm a few years back, but unlike Gabby and Filly and Miggy and Italo, the kid never qualified. Then, with Billabong deciding to peel their stickers from his nose, he disappeared off the map and didn’t take part in a single QS event over the last two years, seeming as if his career was all but over. Now he’s back, and with a win in Israel under his belt and a renewed desire to join the top ranks of the sport, the high-flying natural-footer is setting his sights on qualification and is currently ranked second on the ratings.
Macy Callaghan
Current World Junior Champion and Qualifying Series ratings’ leader, Macy Callaghan has had a hell of a start to 2017. With three wins in a row and a runner-up finish at the Burleigh Pro, she’s been the form Aussie surfer of the summer. More Steph than Tyler, the stylish, long-limbed blonde has future world champ written all over her, and with the skills she’s showing at only sixteen years of age, it looks like that title could be coming sooner rather than later.
