Stab Magazine | 10-Year-Old "Baby" Steve Roberson Whips Into Jaws

Live Now — Episode 3 Of Surf100 Challenge Series Presented By Pacifico

702 Views

10-Year-Old “Baby” Steve Roberson Whips Into Jaws

Welcome to surfing in 2018. 

news // Mar 1, 2018
Words by Stab
Reading Time: 3 minutes

The way Kaleo Roberson tells it, his old man, John, split from the mainland—San Clemente specifically—in the late ‘60s, worked as a beach boy in Waikiki briefly until the Oahu scene got to full-on, then split to the quiet northern shore of Maui.

Somewhere around ’69 or ’70 local fishermen told him that there was a wave in the bay at Pe’ahi. He didn’t believe them. Then a swell hit. And, the legend of Jaws of was born.

“When people first started surfing it we watched them and figured it was for guys with money. We couldn’t afford the boats or skis or anything,” says Kaleo, reflecting on his formative years. “My brother, Justin, helped break down those barriers.”

Now the third generation of Roberson is making history at Jaws. Last month, Kaleo’s 10-year-old son, “Baby” Steve, became the youngest person to ever surf the place.

“It was his first time out there. He’d never been out there on a boat or a ski or anything,” Kaleo says. “But he wanted to do it.”

“I’ve watched it from the cliff, but no, I’ve never been out there,” admits Steve. “My mom said she couldn’t watch.” 

Screen Shot 2018 02 27 at 1.37.07 PM

In 2018, it’s okay to look up to kids one half, third or quarter your age.

The boys had recently tangled with a disgruntled tiger shark, and when it came to jumping off the ski and grabbing the rope, Steve’s brothers Justin and Eric (collectively they’re named after fallen Maui legends Justin Roberson, Eric Diaz and Steve Cooney), weren’t too keen on sitting alone in the deep blue water waiting for a wave.

“They didn’t want to be bait. But Stevie was into it. He really wanted to get a wave out there,” continues Kaleo. “He’s handled eight-foot Honolua, so this was kind of the next step.”

Capping at about 12 feet, with a cadre of water safety experts watching on, Kaleo whipped his son into a proper set wave.

“I made it to the bottom and it felt so good,” says Steve. “I got swallowed up by the whitewater at the very end, but I stuck my hand up in the air like my dad taught me and Uncle Kolomona was right there. When I opened my eyes, I was sitting on the back of the ski.”

“This day I’ll remember forever,” recounted Kolomona Fernandez on Instagram. “It was mid-day a ski approached the lineup with three passengers as they got closer I realized it was Kaleo Roberson and his two sons, they quickly threw out the rope and began towing, Baby Steve was first. He jumped in ready, grabbed the rope and was gone. Before you know it, Baby got a wave, then he fell as I got close to get em’. I looked baby Steve in his eye when I grabbed him after his wipeout, I could tell there was something a little different goin thru his head. This boy’s not only “special” he’s gifted, kind, smart and very, very respectful. I’m glad I was there to witness history. Proud of you Baby. Look out world there’s a new TITAN in town.”

If you’re the cynical type that thinks Steve’s wave was some kind of fluke or publicity stunt, you should reconsider. Last December, when he was nine years old, he paddled out at Waimea and rode some legit waves in the bay.

“It was fun out there with Uncle Makua and Uncle Nathan. They were helping me out and I got a couple good ones,” innocently says Baby.

“I don’t know, he just feels real comfortable in bigger surf. He was just spinning and going. He doesn’t seem to get too nervous, he just really enjoys it,” chuckles a proud Kaleo.

Comments

Comments are a Stab Premium feature. Gotta join to talk shop.

Already a member? Sign In

Want to join? Sign Up

Advertisement

Most Recent

Fiji Has Its First Professional Surfer, And He’s Unbelievable

16-year-old James Kusitino’s incomprehensible tube lounging leads to a deal with Former.

Jul 6, 2025

Laird Hamilton on The Limitations of Being a Purist, Invention vs. Ownership + Why He Never Had a Sticker Deal 

Untold stories from his How Surfers Get Paid interview.

Jul 4, 2025

Surf100 Challenge Series Presented By Pacifico: Episode 3

"The tribe has spoken," Dane Reynolds pronounced, and a surfer's torch was snuffed.

Jul 3, 2025

When Surfer’s Eye Is Actually Cancer

Erin Campbell's brutal journey from surf camp dreams to chemo drops, cryotherapy, and surgical horror.

Jul 3, 2025

Surfing’s 2025 Q2 Report

An assessment of surfing's vital signs throughout the second quarter of 2025.

Jul 2, 2025

What Actually Happened to Occy’s Mad Max Plunger Pool In Yeppoon?

Surf Lakes’ brass talks: internet hecklers, the unplugging of the plunger, and the Tom Curren…

Jul 2, 2025

Poor Goofy Foots 

Data shows that the world is stacked against goofs — they even make 15% less money than…

Jul 1, 2025

Britain’s First Wavepool Has Closed — What Really Happened?

Bankruptcy, social media hackings, debts unpaid — and yet, reopening looms.

Jul 1, 2025

Watch: Was Matt Meola’s Air Actually Better Than Hughie’s?

Watch the full Swatch Nines highlight reel and decide.

Jun 30, 2025

Houshmand Bludgeons Field To Win Second CT — Molly Picklum Tastes Blood, Snatches World #1 In Brazil

You can't argue with big surfing — that's Saquarema wrapped.

Jun 29, 2025

37 Years Old And World #1 — What’s Changed For Jordy Smith?

On rediscovering decades old surfboard templates, having a personality on the CT, and why this…

Jun 27, 2025

Tom Lowe Stars in ‘Let Me Live’

The wild, improbable ascent of Britain’s best big-wave surfer.

Jun 27, 2025

Saq Wrap: Italo Celebrates Mid-Heat, Griff Drops A Freestyle, Jordy + Yago Continue BBQing 20-YOs

Top seeds sow ruin, Final 5 starts to crystallize.

Jun 27, 2025

Surf100 Challenge Series Presented By Pacifico: Episode 2

Our seven surviving surfers confront an oddly large California beach break.

Jun 26, 2025

SEOTY: The ‘Once-In-A-Decade’ Caribbean Swell That Kelly Slater Passed On

Michael Dunphy stars in Jimmicane's 'Blue Veil'

Jun 25, 2025

Who Owns Bingin? Legal Fight To Stop Demolition Begins

Eviction notices served for all businesses built on state land.

Jun 25, 2025

Tony Hawk Just Named Hughie Vaughan’s Internet-Breaking Air Because… No One Else Can

89% of our IG poll respondents claimed the 'stale fish flipper' was the best air…

Jun 25, 2025

German Surfers: AN INVESTIGATION

Truth is the light by which the world can see. 

Jun 24, 2025
Advertisement