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Hawaiian surfer Gavin Gillette can’t remember a time when he wasn’t surfing. “I’ve been surfing since I can remember, I’ve always been on a board”, the smooth, lanky, natural footer said. “It’s in my blood, mom and dad who are my tow-in partners, are both amazing surfers”, says the 21 year-old from Kilauea on the northerly island of Kaua. “I grew up surfing Pinetrees on Kaua‘i's north shore.” Gillette says that he became fascinated with competitions as a youngster and that throughout his teens, he always ranked highly in the National Scholastic Surfing Association events. Last year Gillette withdrew from the WQS after his younger brother suffered a terrible motorcycle accident, he ranked 174th.   “It’s a job! But if your job is fun, you want to do it all the time”, he said of his surfing. “2008 will be great – I’m going to be great I’m aiming on making the WCT,” said Gillette. “Surf with your heart and keep your talent and ego out the equation”, he advises. With his priorities re-aligned, his big-wave act beyond question and his small wave and competition strategy constantly being worked on, look for Gavin's heart to be propelling him towards his ultimate goal of qualifying for the 2009 ASP Dream Tour.

Big things are expected from Wiggolly Dantas, the latest in the long line of hot surfers coming off the Brazilian conveyor belt. While his small wave act is typically electric, it was in the 2006 Monstor Energy Pro, held in big, epic and dangerous Pipeline, that Wiggolly showed he has the potential, talent and determination to be a star of the sport.   These characteristics shone through at he Red Bull Rising selection camp. “It was a great surprise to be selected,” said Wiggolly. “Among so many excellent surfers from different culture and countries, we all have the same desires to build friendship through surfing”, says Wiggolly.  “The most exciting part of the camp was Mick Fanning words to the surfers”, says Wiggolly, knowing words of advice from world champs is rare wisdom indeed. The goofyfooter’s surfing addiction started when he was just three. His older brother and sister taught him to stand on a board. In 2005, he was crowned Quiksilver King of the Groms in France. Now, living in Itamambuca Beach south of Sao Paulo, he says that winning that event was a fantastic feeling: “I was crying with happiness when I won the title!". In 2007 Dantas took out the American Billabong Pro Junior in Peru, and the quiet Brazilian, with the engaging smile, seems unstoppable for 2008. Dantas says that the surfers he admires most are Mick Fanning, Andy Irons and Kelly Slater. “My aim is to be on the WCT, it’s my dream," he says. “When there are no waves, I do boxing training and practice jiu jitsu."   Dantas also loves watching surfing movies for motivation. “I get ideas and inspiration from them," he says. When it comes to naming his favourite surf breaks, Dantas obviously loves the biggies. “I love Pipeline because it’s a nice left and Teahupoo, as I like the dangerous wave." Once again, his favourite wave choices indicate his desire to mix it in the most heaviest of surfing's cauldrons.

The nickname Spartan tells a lot us about Michael Bourez. His body is seemingly chiseled out of hard granite and his ability and courage is unquestionable. Destined to take over the mantle from fellow Tahitian Manao Drollet as the best surfer at the world's heaviest wave, Teahupoo, Michael is the complete surfer. Last year he beat world champion Kelly Slater in three feet French beachbreaks at the Quiksilver Pro and while his big-wave act is well established, it's his pure natural  talentthat  will see him reach the upper echelons of surfing. Quiet, respectful, funny and hard as nails, it is no surprise why he is the wild card in the Red Bull Rising pack.

Clint Kimmins learned to surf as a three year old when his dad started pushing him into waves and that initial passion has never left him. “I started surfing when I was a little kid and have not been able to stay away from it (since)”, said the 23-year-old who reckons that apart from attending the Selection Camp for the Red Bull WQS Program last January, his career highlight to date was winning the World Under 16 Title in 2000 in Bali.  “My strength has been in big waves but my passion is for contests”, says the Gold Coast surfer. Like many other WQS surfers, Kimmins is quietly determined to move into the top 45, but he says he’s as stoked to represent Australia as he is to win a local competition. I’m happy to make the world team for Australia and go to the world titles”, he adds. Kimmins’s form has been very consistent, always finishing in the top five of the ASP juniors. Life has thrown a few obstacles at the nuggety, likeable Kimmins, but he's never ever questioned his belief that he belongs in the elite level of the sport. With a training program designed to build flexibility and endurance, he cross trains with gym workouts, runs a half marathon (21km) every fortnight and around 5-8 km every other day. However, he’s focused on making his mark on the WQS. “I’ve never been so determined in my whole life”, he says with a smile. And as a crucial part of Red Bull Rising, this year count on that determination to make a big, big impact on pro surfing.  

The stylish natural footer, with a mix of French, Irish and Caribbean blood coursing through his veins, looks set for a mammoth year on the WQS. With Red Bull Rising's support, combined with a pure, almost freaky talent, his last year's best ever WQS ranking of 43 is set to be eclipsed in 2008. It's not a question of if, but when, for this true waterman. “It was the best week of my life”, said Tim Boal about participating at the Red Bull WQS Selection Camp last January. Boal’s wins include the 2007 Reef Vendee, 2004 Peniche Rip Curl Pro and he was Vice-European champion in 2007. A keen waterman, Boal grew up on sailboats and spent all the time he had surfing, swimming and body boarding. While his sailing ability resulted in winning two French National Championships in the Optimist class, surfing stayed his real passion. After winning his first European pro juniors comp in 2004, he has never looked back. “I just try and have fun”, he says modestly. Other surfers might be content to hold his high WQS ranking of 43, but 24 year old Boal is itching to get ripping for the 2008 series. Boal’s structured training schedule includes surfing, core strength, weights and golf. While he recalls with glee a session in solid 12 ft swell at Sunset as the biggest wave he’s ever surfed, Boal said that his beloved Hossegor is the break he’d choose to surf every day.