Rob Kelly spent the past few years drawing on New Jersey-based inspiration, training with the likes of Matt Keenan and surfing with his younger brother, Chris. The payoff came when he sewed up a big result at the 2007 ESA Championships, wining the Junior Men’s title. Kelly also made a dent on the national stage last year when he surfed along with his team (which included his brother) into the semis at the Red Bull High School Cup National Championships in California. With momentum on his side, Kelly should look to take his punt and slide-based surfing to the national level in 2008.