Kai Hing, Wurtulla, Sunshine Coast

“Twelve months ago, this kid couldn’t chop hop,” says photographer Matt O’Brien of Kai Hing, pictured here. “Now look at him fly. I’m told he’s one to look out for. A cut above the rest.” To better their surfing, some folk train in the gym, or maybe skate, or maybe do pilates or jumprope. Kai Hing trains every afternoon for three and a half hours at level eight gymnastics. This has seen him represent Queensland not only at national titles for surfing, but also for gymnastics, spring board diving (!) and surf lifesaving. Can y’believe it? “Gymnastics is super tough training,” he says. “It keeps me disciplined and focused. I try to implement the flips and tricks I learn into surfing.” Looking at the angle of the kid’s torso as he moves through this full-rote oop, that’s hardly surprising to learn.