We are sorry to say but to view you need to upgrade your Flash Player Click here to download>>

1. THEY CAN SURF RIGHTS, AMAZINGLY
Think there's already a slew of guys on tour who grew up next to righthand pointbreaks (Martinez, Fanning, Parko, Dingo, Willsy, Bede, et al)? Well the first event will have a couple more. Rossy grew up in Angourie, Kieren at Byron Bay, and Bottle at Burleigh.

2. THEY HAVE FEET FIRMLY ON THE GROUND
No next-big-thing, immaturity problems here, a bit older, bit more experienced. Unlikely to throw tantrums or expend energy where it shouldn't be going during the season's first event. Obviously, Kieren's been here many times before, and has the tactical nous of a Prussian General when it comes to two-man heats.

3. INSPIRATION COMES FROM CLOSE QUARTERS
Plenty of good genes and top pointbreak nurturing. Dan Ross's mentor/step dad is Baddy Treloar, (Morning of The Earth icon); Kieren's dad is super-respected shaper Nigel Perrow; and Bottle's now-departed brother Vaughn (VT) was a legendary Burleigh tuberider.

4. THEY KNOW BOARDS:
Bottle works with Simon Anderson on equipment; while Kieren's particularly meticulous with his boards, and having grown up on waves like The Pass, Broken Head and Lennox, he knows exactly what works best in righthanders of all variations.

5. THEY HAVE SOLIDARITY
Kieren and Dan did a lot of board testing and trips together with former sponsor Salomon and they travelled together for much of the WQS. A certain solidarity built up over the WQS grind can't be a bad thing when going into the first event of the year.

6. THEY GOT SUPPORT
Parochialism can be a good thing. For example, Burleigh was once the jewel in the Gold Coast's pro surfing crown (the best venue, the hottest locals) it has since paled compared to Coolangatta. So, if the sand at Snapper doesn't sort itself out and the event were to be moved to Burleigh, Bottle would be darn near unstoppable with half of the headland behind him.

7. THEY GOT GUTS:
All three of them charge, especially when the bottom starts to drain out. All pushing the boundaries at waves such as Sunset and The Box. If a cyclone slams the hammer down during the Quik Pro don't bet against any of them.