There are two kinds of surfer in this world: Those that find contentment in escaping daily hassles and simply go surfing for surfing’s sake, then there are those who find satisfaction splashing right into the fray—performing, if you will. Koa Smith is a performer. In or out of the water, the kid’s got a non-stop, hysterical act. Endowed with sarcastic wit and a deadpan delivery, after his comedic debut as a roving reporter at the 2007 Surfer Poll—a performance in which he even got Kelly Slater stammering—young Koa’s profile’s been on the steady rise. And then there are his outfits; lederhosen, mariachi ensembles, and tiger-print sport coats that are so pimp even Snoop Dogg’s jealous. But being Mr. Personality comes at a price. First, he’s got more nicknames—“Little Buddy,” “Little Fella,” “Chompers,” “Koa Balboa”—than any kid should ever have to endure. But second, and considerably more important, is Koa’s ability in the water often plays second fiddle to his skills on terra firma. Like a growing number of his peers, the goofyfooter blends a full bag of lip-sliding tricks with solid fundamental and traditional rail work. “He’s brilliant in the tube and on his backhand,” testifies SURFER Senior Photographer J.R. Kenworthy. “He’ll go on anything and pull in—he’s from Kauai and has a little of that Bruce and Andy in him in that way.”