Meet the world’s best groms! Here’s: Sandon Whittaker

Interview by Matt Hoy | All photos by Ricardo Bravo Right now, the world’s 10 best under 18 surfers are in Brazil’s Fernando de Noronha, for the final of Quiksilver’s 2015 King Of The Groms. While they’re there, we’ll be profiling the kids who are keeping the future of surfing bright – as interview by the vibrant Matt Hoy. Today, let’s meet… Sandon Whittaker! My name’s Sandy Whittaker, and I’m 15. I’m from Avoca Beach, Central Coast, Australia. My favourite wave is Copacabana Point. My favourite board dimensions, currently, are 5’6 1/2”x 18’3/4” – a Channel Islands Proton, with a round tail. I don’t have any idea about litreage. The best things about Brazil are the nice people and fun beachbreaks. The person who’s most been ripping in King Of The Groms is probably Sebastian Williams. Or, Kael Walsh. The best thing about King Of The Groms is getting to make new friends and surf new places. I think Mick is going to win the world title this year. Why will Mick win? ‘Cause it’s just Mick. He has to win. If he doesn’t… he’s letting Australia down (laughs). The best surfer in the world right now is John John Florence – View From A Blue Moon was really sick. But then there’s Dane (Reynolds) who just rips 24/7. It’s out of those too. But probably John John. If you gave me a million dollars, I’d buy a house in Hawaii and just live there. Three things I’d take to a deserted island would be surfboard, sunscreen and wax. Ten years from now, I’ll hopefully be on the WCT, but if not, I’ll go to university and get a job somewhere. I’d probably do media studies, get into commentating and stuff like that. My teachers are helping me out with having time off. I always catch up when I’m at school. I’m most scared of sharks. Always. I’ve been chased in like three times at Copa Point. I don’t know what kind it was, I just saw the dorsal fin coming straight at me, saw the nose of it, and I went, ‘Nup.’ There was a pack of 10 of us out there and I was the first one in. The biggest influence at my local is Ace Buchan – he’s an all-round shredder and just a nice guy. He’s on the World Tour, speaks really well, he’s really smart. I’d like to surf like Jordy Smith for his power hacks and airs, and like Dane for his massive rail game, and John John for his crazy, crazy airs. And Filipe, ‘cause he’s like a spring and just lands them every time. And Ace for his smarts and his verticalness!