Young surfer rides dream wave

Six-year-old surfer Indica Knox Corcoran is making a big name for himself. Photo/John Borren

He may only be seven years old, but Indica Knox Corcoran is already carving out a future as a globe-trotting surfer.

No stranger to the waves, he loves competing on the circuit and hopes to be a professional one day and represent New Zealand in his chosen sport.

His father and coach Phil says Indica seriously got into it as a four-year-old and has clocked up 30 competitions and registered some great results.

Earlier this month he showcased his skills at two competitions in Bali where he placed fifth and second in an event for under 10-year-olds and last year he won the 2016 Hurley BL's Blast Off in Sydney for his age group.

In fact, at the moment Indica is atthe 2017 event and has his sights on another podium finish.

The Bl Blast Off is Australia's largest youth surfing development event, run by former world Champion Barton Lynch.

Phil says his son's passion for surfing started almost accidentally.

"I was in Gisborne working at the New Zealand Primary School Championships and his older brother Devon was enrolled to have a go but pulled out. So Indi said I'll take your place and it snowballed from there."

In the beginning, he thought his son had talent but thought he could just be showing favouritism.

"We seen it from the start and thought maybe we are biased because he's our kid. So thatis why we have taken those opportunities to travel overseas and it's been proven to us."

Indica says he loves "going for the waves and doing good turns and cutbacks".

He also enjoys winning and tries to follow his own advice.

"Ifeel good and nervous and I tell myself 'let's go hard'. I want to be a pro." In the interim, the goal is clinching a New Zealand championship at Gisborne in October. His mum Renee says Indica had met a lot of new friends from all around the world through surfing.

"Ever since he could walk, he has skateboarded and those skills have transferred over to surfing."

But surfing can be expensive and the family hoped to attract sponsors. They already had a big presence on social media.

Indica is on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube, and his following is growing daily.

SURF'S UP
Surfing is one of the oldest practiced sports on the planet. It is one of the few sports that creates its own culture and lifestyle.

The act of riding waves with a wooden board originated in Western Polynesia more than 3000 years ago.

The first NZ national championships were held at Mount Maunganui in 1963 and won by Peter Way.