Chris ‘Chip-Dogg’ Wilson, Rocky Point Lefts, Hawaii

Its been a big year for Chippa Wilson. His non-biopic biopic, NOW by Riley Blakeway, was met with standing ovation. A slew of successful premieres, a bunch o’ magazine hype, a hop, skip and a rodeo later, kid’s an overnight superstar. When you’re inspiring surfers as talented as Craig Anderson, you know you’re doing something right: “I was surfing with Chippa the other day at Rocky Lefts,” says Craig, “and he did the most mind-blowing thing I’ve ever seen. After watching it, I just don’t even know what way he spun, or what his board did, but it was just ridiculous. I couldn’t even fathom it, I wouldn’t ever try that ’cause I just wouldn’t know where to begin. Watching him puts me in a different state of mind and makes me want to surf more tricky.” This spin is one that Chippa’s done a thousand times – he’s got them down and knows every element of the rotation inside out. But that don’t make it any less sweet. There’s only one way for Chippa to go from here, and that’s up.