Pulse: Character: Rob Kelly

Age: 19.

Known best as: Jersey’s top surfer. Billed as the next Dean Randazzo (surfing’s Lance Armstrong), he’s currently contending for the elite World Championship Junior Tour.

When a teen’s hobby goes big-time: “The summer before I started high school, I got sponsored by Billabong. My parents realized this could be something I could turn into a career.” The family moved from Bucks County to Ocean City.

Where to find him, usually: “Traveling sick places.” The Caribbean. Mexico. California. Costa Rica.

Where to find him, now: Home. August 15th, he’ll make a rare appearance in Avalon’s Brendan Borek surf contest, and give lessons through O.C.’s 7th Street Surf Shop.

On the best local surf: “Summer’s flat: I don’t expect to be jerking good waves. February and March are the best waves all year.”

Advice for hanging 10: “Have confidence. Beginners think they’ll never get up. I’ll almost guarantee that they will.”