“Balaram is extremely well rounded for an East Coaster his age,” says NY based photographer Mike Nelson. Bred in the fickle but punchy urban beachbreaks of western Long Island, Stack is easily the most visible young surfer to emerge from New York since the 1970s. The key to his success, so far, has been a blend of light-footed speed, a bit of travel, and a smattering of Eastern competitive results. Fast and creative in the junkiest of junk, Stack has been focusing on developing his power plant and his ability to stay calm in competition. Expect him to improve on both, and more, as he grows in age and experience.