4| Jeremy Flores
Birthday: April 27, 1988
Hometown: Capbreton, France

Growing up on wave-rich Reunion Island, coming of age in France, and now spending his down time roaming the Australian countryside, 19-year-old Jeremy Flores is more than capable of handling himself in waves of all sorts-a fact that will serve him well. A distinguished member of Quiksilver's Young Guns crew, this regular-footer's had the good fortune of engaging in long Mentawai brainstorming sessions with cohorts such as Julian Wilson and Clay Marzo, not to mention Kelly Slater. After finishing 85th on the WQS in 2005, he exploded onto the world's stage this year by becoming the youngest to ever qualify for the World Championship Tour through the 'QS. Although, worthy of note is the fact that he did it without winning a single event. He took third at the U.S. Open in Huntington, and his best result came at the Lacanau Pro in France where if took second. With the exception of his dismantling of Mick Fanning in draining eight-foot Hossegor at the Quik Pro in 2005-thus ending Mick's world title hopes for the year-he's young and somewhat inexperienced in the ways of the Top 44. He possesses a complete arsenal of both aerials and full-rail turns, but some are citing style issues he needs to contend with. That being said, his tenacity and versatility will certainly be huge assets as he continues to develop and mature as a surfer. After Mikey Picon's lackluster performance on the WCT last year, Flores could very easily be the first European to make a significant impact on the WCT. “This child prodigy has been touted as a major contender for years,” says the ASP's Rabbit Bartholomew. “2007 will see that challenge come to fruition.”