13| Hank Gaskell
Birthday: April 17, 1986
Hometown: Hana, Hawaii

The soft-spoken, spiritual leader of the up-and-coming, uber-talented Maui contingent, Gaskell’s ruthlessness lies in his determination. He’s still waiting for a landmark wave that’ll put him on the map, but with his persistence, most of his peers believe it’s only a matter of time. Gaskell shines at Sunset Beach, and comparisons are already being made between him and a young Pancho Sullivan. In his Round One heat in last year’s Pipe Masters, he beat Joel Parkinson, Occy and Ben Dunn. Thanks to the multitude of waves found along the Hana Highway, he’s just as sharp in small waves. “He’s just an all around freak,” says Dion Atkinson. He could benefit from a more spontaneous repertoire, but the new school fundamentals are definitely in place. A bit on the quiet side, he’s more than happy to let his surfing do the talking, which works just fine for him.

14| TJ Barron
Birthday: January 21, 1986
Hometown: Sunset Beach, Hawaii

Within the last year the Barron clan moved into a new house just north of Sunset Point, and the close proximity to one of the world’s most reputable right-handers is already paying out in obvious dividends. “He’s a leader of the next generation from Hawaii,” says Bernie Baker, SURFER Magazine’s North Shore correspondent. “He’s been surfing Sunset in everything from two-foot Val’s to eight-foot Point. He’s definitely getting ready for something big.” Putting his grown-up body to good use, Barraon is surfing more like a man these days. Lacking a significant victory last year, he’ll be hitting the junior and WQS circuit hard this year. As strong as he is at home, a little time away from Hawaii just could be the best thing for him.