John John might be world champ right now, but in ten years’ time there could be another double-named young shredder snapping at his heels, and like much of the sport’s future talent, he’s not from one of surfing’s traditional breeding grounds. Six-year-old Kai Kai Alcala is from Cloud 9 in the Philippines, and judging by the surfing he’s doing in the above clip, the pint-sized young natural-footer has a huge future.
‘Kai’s been surfing for around two-and-a-half years,’ says Tassie charger Kyron Rathbone, who is engaged to Kai’s mum Manette and has served as a father figure for most of the young fella’s life. ‘I use to take him out on my back on solid days at Cloud 9 when he was four and we’d sit in the channel and watch all his uncles and cousins shred. I’d always explain each wave and which ones were the best and where the line-ups were. One of those days we got caught inside and it was macking. He held on tight and was laughing the whole time. Another time we sat out the back and waited for a set and I laid down with him on my back. We got proper shacked and spat out and he was just staring at the roof of the tube in awe. You couldn’t wipe the smile off his face! That was the moment he wanted to surf everyday, and he pretty much has since.’
With an entire family that shreds (including mum) and one of the world’s dreamiest waves on his doorstep, young Kai Kai is making the most of the awesome environment he’s growing up in. The kid surfs up to three times a day, catches fifty waves a session, and skates when he’s not at school or in the water. Like most of this generation’s groms, he loves John John and watches all of his video parts and heat replays obsessively, but when it comes to idols, his uncles Marama and Piso—two of the island’s best surfers—are at the top of his list. Add to this a healthy group of friends who are always keeping an eye on him in the water, and you can see why Kai Kai’s talent is flourishing.
So with a couple of sponsors already under his belt, his own mini-quiver of 3’11s and 4’1s, and a fast developing love of competition, what’s in store for this star of tomorrow? Is he eyeing off a wildcard at twelve? His first world title at fifteen?
‘His three biggest goals right now are to meet John John, surf Kelly’s wave pool, and get sponsored by Hurley,’ says Kyron.
Fair enough. But with the form he’s showing, we still think he should add a world title to that list. He’s certainly got the potential.
