January 18, 1988 // Santa Cruz, California
Synopsis: Nic Lamb is the 2.0 version of the Santa Cruz prototype—he can punt well enough to win the occasional air-show, but it’s his deeds in scary surf at places like Mavs that have separated him from the pack.
Variables: There’s only limited room in most brands’ team budgets for a “big-wave guy.” Plus, Santa Cruz has been known to be tough on it’s stars.
Forecast: Versatility, a trait Nic’s already proven to posses, is key. So is focus. Having already graced magazine covers and proven his ability to perform above the lip, Nic’s become a visible triple threat—he knows how to get the shot, nail a front-side stalefish, and charge when the buoys are maxed. If he can continue to multi-task, the respect he’s already built in the big-wave world and beyond will only increase.