NAT YOUNG

Birthday: June 17, 1991
Hometown: Santa Cruz, CA
Stance: Goofy
Sponsors: O’Neill, Nike 6.0, Channel Islands, Oakley, Freestyle, Sexwax, Creatures of Leisure, GFH Skateboards

As the current National champ, Nat Young has Lowers on lock down. Last year, Nat put on one of the most dominant junior performances we’ve seen in decades, taking home the aforementioned national title and a huge win in front of his hometown crowd in Santa Cruz at the Coldwater Classic. Although he’s still young, Nat’s surfing and competitive savvy are wise beyond his years.

CHRISTIAN SAENZ

Birthday: July 22, 1991
Hometown: Huntington Beach,CA
Stance: Goofy
Sponsors: Hurley, Arnette, HSS, DCS, Cobian, T. Patterson, Pro-Lite and Bubble gum
Favorite Arnette Shade: Defy

Christian Saenz is the quintessential southern California surfer.  Just last month, he won his second consecutive NSSA Southwest Mens title, being the first one to do that since Tom Curren, who managed the same feat in 1981 and 1982. At the 2010 Katin Pro/Am, Saenz looked he might take home the title early on in the contest scoring a 9.80 in the third round.

EVAN GEISELMAN

Birthday: August 31, 1993
Hometown: New Smyrna Beach, FL
Stance: Goofy
Sponsors: Hurley, Nike 6.0, Red Bull, Oakley, Jack’s, Dakine, Orion Surfboards, Sexwax

One of the most technically progressive surfers representing the East Coast, Evan Geiselman is at the forefront of the modern surfing movement, constantly dreaming up new turns, rotations, and lines. With Lowers being one of the most rippable waves on the planet, expect to see Evan blow some minds—and some fins—at the event. If you want to see where surfing will be in five years, watch Evan’s heats.

ANDREW DOHENY

Birthday: October 20, 1992
Hometown: Newport Beach, CA
Stance: Natural
Sponsors: Volcom, Vans, Electric, Freestyle, HSS, Sexwax, J.S. Surfboards

Andrew Doheny is Newport’s next generation personified. At 16, his freesurfing has garnered movie segments and mag spreads for years, while, competitively, past success in NSSA events have led him to the U.S. Pro Junior ranks, where, in ’08, despite what he describes as “a humbling rookie season,” he finished third overall.  Just recently, he finished third at the Sebastion Inlet Pro Junior and he took home the trophy at the Oakley Pro Junior Lowers. Though successful at home, Andrew’s exposure to higher-grade competition on the Junior circuit abroad was rough, and he failed to make a dent at Worlds.  Last year, his main focus was on freesurfing—which paid off, exposure-wise. And he still managed to qualify for the most prestigious junior comp on the planet…all while surfing against guys four years his senior. Expect big things to come.

CHASE WILSON

Birthday: March 26, 1990
Hometown: Newport Beach, CA
Stance: Goofy
Sponsors: Billabong, Arnette, Surfside Sports, Dakine
Favorite Arnette Shade: Agent

There have been a lot of eyes on Chase Wilson since he first showed his face on the Junior circuit.  Although 2009 was a mediocre year for Wilson, with his best result being a fourth place finish at the Nike Pier Pressure event, be on the lookout for big things this year; however, as Wilson is one of the most progressive free surfers on the circuit. 

MICHAEL DUNPHY

Birthday: June 29, 1990
Hometown: Virginia Beach, VA
Stance: Natural
Sponsors: Hurley, Reed, Arnette Eyewear, WRV, Pro Lite
Favorite Arnette Shade: Defy

Michael Dunphy is one of those guys that turns heads every time he paddles out.  His lofty backside airs are some of the most solid out of all the Junior men.   He’s driven, motivated, and eager to improve his surfing and make some heats.  At the 2009 OPJ New Jersey, Dunphy earned a respectable third place finish and the realization that he could go places if he puts his mind to it.

KOLOHE ANDINO

Birthday: March 22, 1994
Hometown: San Clemente, CA
Stance: Regular
Sponsors: Target, Nike 6.0, Red Bull, Von Zipper, Boost Mobile, Blackline, and Mayhem

9 time NSSA National champion and 4 time USA champion, Kolohe Andino has proved to both himself and the public that he has what it takes to move up the ranks in professional surfing.  His easy smile and happy go-lucky attitude out of the water are in stark contrast to contest Kolohe.  His comfort above the lip is staggering, and his powerful turns are astonishing coming from such a light competitor.  There’s no doubt that Andino has a promising future ahead of him.

FORD ARCHBOLD

Birthday: April 3, 1991
Hometown: Newport Beach, CA
Stance: Regular
Sponsors: RVCA, Arnette, Wave Tools,
Favorite Arnette Shade: Blow-Out

Being the son a legend must have its share of pressure.  But Ford Archbold looks as though he got all the right genes to live up to his last name.  Not a big competitor, Ford is still showing his colors in free surf sessions around the world that make people sit up and take notice. Having a father like Archie to surf with is paying off in spades.

LUKE DAVIS

Birthday: January 23, 1993
Hometown: Capistrano Beach, CA
Stance: Regular
Sponsors: O’Neill, Kustom, Spy, Killer Dana Surf Shop, Sexwax, Kommunity Project

Voted the O.C. Surfer of the year, 17-year-old Luke Davis already surfs better than most people can ever hope to.  He has a style reminiscent of the old legends, and the new school progressive maneuvers to back it up.  His wins at numerous NSSA events and final making capabilities ensure a bright future for this standout.

DILLON PERILLO

Birthday: May 13, 1990
Hometown: Thousand Oaks, CA
Stance: Regular
Sponsors: Hurley, Smith Optics, Sexwax, Roberts Surfboards, Ladera, Clout Rideshop, Dakine, Nalus, and Rip Curl

Dillon Perillo has exploded onto the scene in the last couple of years.  His powerful surfing is reminiscent of someone with much more experience.  He has the progressive maneuvers as well as a style that is distinctly Perillo. 2009 was a big year for him, placing first in both the Ezekiel Pro Junior at Huntington Beach and the Japan leg of the 2009 OPJ Global Challenge.  Rip Curl made a good grab when they picked up Perillo. Watch for him on the ASP in the coming years. 

KEANU ASING

Birthday: May 30, 1993
Hometown: Ewa Beach, HI
Stance: Regular
Sponsors: Billabong, Von Zipper, Local Motion, Etnies, Blackline, Vertra, Future Fins

Keanu Asing was born into a surfing family, so it’s no surprise that he’s good.  What is a surprise, however, is just how good he is.  Name a contest; he’s probably placed in the top three.  He claimed the World Junior Championship, he took home the trophy at the Nike 6.0 Pier Pressure event, and he was the NSSA Hawaii Conference Champ.  He has a wealth of travelling underneath his belt, proving that he can not only surf the heavy waters of his home breaks, but impress in other conditions as well.

KIRON JABOUR

Hometown: Haliewa, HI
Birthday: January 10, 1991
Stance: Regular
Sponsors: Quiksilver, Kommunity Project

Coming from a place renowned for it’s heavy water, the talent that Kiron Jabour shows in the small stuff is mind-boggling.  He’s known for his progressive style and you know that since he comes from the North Shore he’s more than adept at pulling into the bigger stuff.

EVAN THOMPSON

Hometown: Jackson Beach, FL
Birthday: January 2, 1992
Stance: Regular
Sponsors: Billabong, Spy, On A Mission, Etnies, Ghive.com, Sunrise Surfshop, DNA Energy Drink

Florida is constantly showing us that huge waves are not a necessity to produce amazing surfers.  The 2009 NSSA Open Mens East Coast Champ and runner-up in Open Mens division of the 2009 NSSA Nationals, Evan Thompson proves that beyond a shadow of a doubt. With a strong competitive history and a diverse repertoire of performance maneuvers, Thompson may be the next in the long lineage of Floridians who have gone on to dominate professional surfing. 

JARED CASSIDY

Hometown: Newport Beach, CA
Birthday: 17 yrs
Stance: Goofy
Sponsors: Atwater and Arnette

A Newport Beach local who has been making a name for himself, Jared has guided Newport Harbor to 2 state championships and is looking forward to getting his Pro Jr career going.  With the Arnette Pro jr basically taking place in his back yard, it gives him a great stepping-off point. Jared has a bag of tricks up his sleeve and is not afraid to use them, look out for him in the years to come, he’s ready to make some noise.