5| Koa Smith
Birthday: January 2, 1995
Hometown: Kilauea, Hawaii

When Koa Smith showed up at the 2006 SURFER Poll wearing a fur coat and gold chain, it became apparent that the kid was something special. Another product of Pine Trees, similarities between Koa Smith and Andy Irons are already being drawn. “He’s probably the best thing coming out of Kauai right now,” says Irons. “He’s like a little Tom Carroll or Rob Machado. Yeah, the kid’s good.” Under the tutelage of Ben Aipa, Smith is bubbling over with goofyfooted talent. The ’06 NSSA mini-grom and Rip Curl GromSearch national champ has most recently picked up stand-up paddle surfing to help with his balance and skills as an overall waterman. With a bright, enthusiastic personality and all the right mentors, Smith is well on his way to a life on the beach.

6| Creed McTaggart
Birthday: January 26, 1994
Hometown: Margaret River, Australia

With a good Aussie name like Creed McTaggart, it’s hard to go wrong—sounds like he could be a player in an all-star jug band. But instead of shuckin’ jive on the washboard, the West Oz native picked up a surfboard at a very young age, and locals such as Taj Burrow and Jake Paterson are certainly happy he did. Just taking the 14 and Under division in Taj’s Small Fries event in Yallingup, Australia, 12-year-old McTaggart tallied a near-perfect 19.20 score out of a possible 20 in the final. With a ridiculously precise forehand, the young goofyfooter is already being targeted as “Australia’s next big thing.” As Burrow and Paterson have proved, thanks to an extremely diverse West Oz surfscape, when it comes time to step beyond Margaret River, West Oz surfers are notoriously well rounded.