Meet the world’s best groms! Here’s: Kyuss King

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…

Kyuss King!

I’m 15, and I’m from Byron Bay, Australia. But Lower Trestles is my favourite wave. I love that wave. I’ve surfed it with like four guys out – and not in a heat. That was the best. But I got to the semis in the Volcom contest there once.

My magic board dimensions? I’ve been riding a 5’5”x 17’1/4 x 2″… and a little bit. It’s a DHD Ducks Nuts.

(Hoyo interjects: That used to be a pub in Newcastle!)

What do I like most like about Brazil… The crowds! (laughs). Nah, it’s not too bad. I’d say the amazing landscape, the crazy rocks and cliffs.

My biggest rival in King Of The Groms is… Everyone. Everyone’s ripping on this trip.

My favourite thing about King Of The Groms is surfing with all the groms, frothing out. It’s a sick vibe in the water, everyone’s watching each other, pushing each other.

I think Mick will win the world title this year. He’s strong at Pipe, I reckon he’ll smash it.

The best surfer in the world right now? I reckon there’s a bunch. Kelly. Mick. Dane. Kolohe. Filipe.

If you gave me a million dollars, I’d go into trade, try and make more millions. Ha! Nah, I’d buy a sick old hot rod. Probably a sick old Impala or a truck. I like vintage stuff, old surfboards and records. My dad’s got crazy old boards, probably 100 of them. Crazy old big, balsa boards, 80s Hot Buttereds…

Three things I’d take to a deserted island are my board, boardshorts and a hot chick! Maybe a big knife to open up the coconuts.

10 Years from now I hope to have a World Title, or just be surfing amazing places around the world, having fun.

What scares me the most is sharks. Or 30 foot Jaws.

The biggest influence at my local break? Hipsters! Ha, nah, Danny Wills, he’s super cool, and he shreds.

The people who have the most influence on my surfing are innovative surfers like Dane and Kolohe, and people like Matt Archbold and Christian Fletcher with that old style. I love that old school stuff, I got Wave Warriors 3 for my birthday. I got it from a vintage surf shop on DVD. It’s all grainy and old school, so sick.