The Hurley Pro has some darkhorses in the mix. And they're ready to do some damage. 

1. KAI BARGER

DOB: November 20, 1989

Best Known For: World Junior Champ

Local Spot: Ho'okipa

Crew: Wallrips, Tall, Bad Boy, Meat Frother, Marlon, AK, Pono-man, Moglie, Hana Hippies, Hookipa Boys, Couple Westside guys, Crusty, Brown Eye, Mantooth, Marzo

Board of Choice: Wade Tokoro

Dream Wave: Big barrels

Top Five: 1) Too Short's "Cocktales" 2) The Game's "Doctor's Advocate" 3) Infamous, the first HGA video 4) Maui 5) Katsu from Ichiban downtown

Liner Notes: 2009 World Junior Champ Kai Barger remains on a roll. The 19-year-old Maui goofyfoot is the embodiment of modern-age power, style and precision. He knows how to compete, too. Since winning the coveted world junior title in January, he's gone on to dominate the Pro Junior series winning the 6.0 event at Lowers and the Nike 6.0 HB Jr. Pro during the Hurley US Open. He's been so dominant, it's no secret that Barger is ready to graduate and make his mark on the ASP World Qualifying Series. Recently, Barger made good on that goal by reaching the quarterfinals at the six-star Azores Islands Pro. "I can't wait to go up against my heroes at the Hurley Pro," says Barger. "It'll definitely be a, 'Go big or go home' situation for me. Which is exactly how I like it."

2. ROB MACHADO

DOB: October 16, 1973

Best Known For: Standing on a surfboard and riding moving pieces of water

Local Spot: Seaside Reef

My Crew:CG, Swift, Garner aka "Black Cloud"

Board of Choice: Love 'em all. You got to. Every day I wake up, I think about riding a different board. My latest fav is this new Bisquit/Robber thing. We haven't named it yet but it's really cute.

Dream Wave: Somewhere in Indonesia. Long, hollow fast left. Shallow.

My Top Five: 1) Bringing two beautiful children into this world 2) "Voodoo Child" by J. Hendrix 3) Gerry Lopez 4) The Tree pose 5) Pipe Masters 2000

Liner Notes: Rob Machado may be "Drifting" these days, but that doesn't mean he can't do damage at the Hurley Pro. One of the world's most iconic surfers, Machado is the embodiment of stoke. His recent wanderings and upcoming film, The Drifter, are a testament to his evolution as a surfer and human being — and we all applaud him for it. But competitive instinct is just that — it's in your blood. And judging from his multi-round journeys at both the Nike 6.0 Lowers Pro and the Hurley US Open of Surfing, he's just getting warmed up for yet another golden moment in a contest jersey.

3. BRETT SIMPSON

DOB: January 5, 1985

Best Known For: Laybacks

Local Spot: HB Pier

My Crew: SWard, Guilmette, all the DSC boys and HB boyz

Board of Choice: 6'2" x 18.5" x 2.25" by Hamish Graham (Superstix) Dream Wave: 4 to 6 feet, take-off barrels on reef with a long wall and the end section ramp on sand.

My Top Five: 1)"Kids" by MGMT 2) Parko 3) Downward Dog 4) Surfing perfect waves with Timmy Reyes in Mex five years ago 5) Having a good time, traveling, trying to qualify

Liner Notes: Brett Simpson is having a dream year. Strong out of the gates. A bit of a plateau through early summer, then, in front of 150,000 screaming hometown fans, he took home the largest prize purse in history at the Hurley US Open of Surfing at Huntington Beach. It was the biggest win of his career, and just the start of big results to come. After the win, Simpson got minor surgery on his ankle to take care of a nagging bone chip. He's sat out the last few qualifiers, but is putting all his focus on making an impact at the Hurley Pro. "I haven't competed since the US Open so this is a nice event to come in with the pressure off and show how hungry I am," says Simpson. "I've been working hard as of late and this will be a good test to see where I'm sitting right now and will also be some great practice for years to come."