Filmed April of this year, 12-year-old Polynesian Kauli Vaast has been getting comfortable out at one of the world’s heaviest waves, Teahupoo. And why wouldn’t he?

It’s not the first time pre-teens have taken a-hold of the rope and whipped it crazy surf. Australian Riley Laing towed into Shipsterns Bluff when he was just 13, in conditions some would probably argue were heavier than this day at Chopes just because of the sheer unpredictability of the waves over there. Not that we’re trying to take anything away from the young Polynesian of course. It’s a damn fine effort.