Eight-year-old Indica Knox Corcoran is at home in the surf. Photo/Colin McKenney
A Mount Maunganui family who have funded their 8-year-old son's surfing career for the past two years say they now need help to support "the next Kelly Slater".
Phil Corcoran posted a YouTube video of his son Indica Knox Corcoran, 8, surfing his favourite beaches in New Zealand and Australia as a call for help.
The Corcoran family has funded both national and international trips so Indica could compete in surfing competitions since he was 6 years old.
But it has become clear Indica more than just loves to surf - some professionals have likened him to American great Kelly Slater.
"It has got to a point now we need some support otherwise he won't be able to do what he has been doing," Mr Corcoran said. "We will just have to start prioritising where we go."
At age 4, Indica opted to take his older brother's place in a New Zealand primary school surfing competition that he had pulled out of. That was when the competitive side began.
"Once we realised his potential we took him to Bali and he entered a competition there. He was 6 and he came fifth in the under-10s," Mr Corcoran said.
"From then we realised we were not just being biased, there was something there.
"There has been comments from world champions, NZ champions and everyday people saying he is the next Kelly Slater. People are just blown away."
Indica then went on to win the under-6 category in the BL Blast Off junior surfing festival organised by 1988 World surfing champion Barton Lynch to contribute to Australia's rich surfing history.
Mr Corcoran said his son had continued to place in surfing competitions and gained third and fifth place in Bali in the under-10 categories, and sixth in the BL Blast Off competition.
"We are pretty proud of him," he said.
Mr Corcoran said Indica put smiles on people's faces both on and off the water.
"There are videos on YouTube when he goes surfing past people and you can see the look on their faces and he has just made their day."
If you would like to offer help, contact the Corcoran family via Indica Knox Corcoran's Facebook page.