KAI BARGER

Birthday: November 20, 1989
Hometown: Haiku, HI
Stance: Goofy
Sponsors: Hurley, Oakley, DaKine, Nike 6.0, Kazuma Surfboards

As the current ASP world junior champion, Maui’s Kai Barger is the man to beat going into Lowers. Truth be told, there aren’t a lot of kinks in Kai’s armor-he’s competitively ruthless, naturally talented, and holds with him a burning desire to win. In the past, Kai’s had a lot of success at Lowers, taking a win home in ‘07 and making numerous finals at Nationals over the past few years. Look for Kai to put his near-flawless frontside attack into full gear on the lefts.

SHAUN JOUBERT

Birthday: May 2, 1991
Hometown: Bloemfontein - in the desert! (ZSA)
Stance: Natural
Sponsors: Billabong, Oakley, Reef Brazil, DaKine, Future Fins

With the spotlight shining brightly on South Africa as a revived hotbed of surfing talent, it’s easy to get lost in the massive shadow cast by the Jordy Smith monolith. Shaun Joubert, however, is one of the few rising stars that have managed to carve his own path into the international fray. Coming from the notoriously sharky Southern Cape region, Joubert is no stranger to taking risks in the water, and his fearless attitude has been translated into a futuristic, powerful approach to surfing, of which his performances on the North Shore are testament. With a solid competitive foundation firmly established through numerous local and international results, Joubert is already being pinned as “the next Jordy,” a billing that is not entirely without substance. Joubert defeated Franklin Serpa (BRA) and Billy Stairmand (NZ) in Round 1 last year, faced Billy again in Round 3, and ended his Global Challenge campaign in the semis losing to Marc Lacomare (FRA).  Thirsty for more, Joubert took first place for the second year in a row at the Oakley Pro Junior South Africa, held this year in Port Alfred, and is frothing to make a big appearance in Bali this October.

CORY ARRAMBIDE

Birthday: June 22, 1989
Hometown: Ventura, CA
Stance: Goofy
Sponsors: Billabong, Globe, Spy, Al Merrick, Creatures of Leisure, Sex Wax

Hailing from Ventura, Cory Arrambide has forged a reputation for himself as a straight-up competitive beast, dangerous in any conditions. He’s got a national title notched into his belt to prove it. Although deathly talented on both his front and backhand, it’s Cory’s Mach-speed backside snap that has been sending shivers down the competition’s spine for years. Look for Cory to utilize the open walls on the rights if conditions permit.

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.

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.

KIRON JABOUR

Birthday: January 10, 1991
Hometown: North Shore, O’ahu
Stance: Regular
Sponsors: Quiksilver, Kommunity Project

Making the trek across the pond from Hawaii, rest assured that Kiron Jabour will be set to do battle at Lowers against his mainland and international counterparts. Although he hails from the land of throaty pits, Kiron’s very adept in small-wave conditions as well and will put his small-wave antics and futuristic surfing to good use throughout the event.

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.  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.