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Kalani Robb (February 2, 1977-) |
 The Largest Surfing EncyclopediaA-Z: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Advertisement
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The opening sequence in Good Times, installment four of Taylor Steele's chronicling of the New School, rates a double take. Blink and you'll miss it, but on the closing ride, Kalani Robb speeds down a head-high Rocky Point left and launches a perfectly seamless 360 air. Easily 2 feet over the lip, it's so smooth and quick that you hardly realize he's done it. Even to Old School stalwarts, it's a wake-up call.
Maikalani Kaiolohia Robb was adopted by mainland charger Richard Robb and his wife, Linda, after the couple migrated to Hawaii in the mid-'70s. By the age of seven, the twiggish Robb had claimed his first surfing victory in a Haleiwa menehune event. Through the late '80s, the media took notice of him, and you couldn't surf Rocky Point without marveling at the diminutive goofyfoot whizzing around the lineup. As an amateur, Robb reached every fathomable peak: the NSSA Nationals, U.S. Championships, OP Junior and capped off with the World Junior Title in Brazil's 1994 World Games. He shot through the WQS as an amateur and, in 1995, joined the big leagues as an 18-year-old surefire future champion. Robb was the youngest surfer on tour as he joined his own New School heroes and close friends, Kelly Slater, Shane Dorian and Rob Machado. After earning Rookie of the Year honors, he rose to seventh the following season (as well as fourth in the Surfer Poll) and was closing the gap on Slater. Unfortunately, Robb's mind was not on the task, and he languished as a middle seed WCT surfer for years. Various distractions, from motocross injuries to near deadly malaria to losing his longtime girlfriend to the occasional indifference, kept him from the winner's circle. Despite his unfulfilled competitive promise, Robb still features prominently in each of Steele's videos, along with continued appearances in the Surfer Poll, a telling barometer of his continued popularity. Finally earning his first WCT victory in 2000's Rio Marathon Surf Pro, the still-young surfer may have found the winning formula. Robb's surfing is both cutting edge and lightning quick. At 150 pounds, his wiry build is perfect for New School trickery, and his 1998 Backdoor Shootout victory hints at a rising big-wave potential. ASP judges have yet to abandon the power doctrine completely, but the recent successes of youngsters Taj Burrow and Tim Curran bode well for the thin and fast in the coming years. With plenty of experience and time in his corner, Robb's chances of reclimbing the ASP ladder look positive. After several seasons of going through the motions, the real good times may lie ahead. -- Jason Borte, October 2000
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