There’s the daily battle against waterlogged ears, attracting hard-nosed sponsors and the daily walk on the tightrope that separates injury from stardom.

Tom Ryan is no different but he also has the advantage of the national champion being his best friend and living a street away in beautiful Bokarina, Sunshine Coast.

Before Andy Yates joined the PKRA world tour he rode with Ryan and they pushed each other at their favourite spots at Caloundra and Maroochydore river mouths.

“It was a great opportunity to ride with him every day,” Ryan told Kite Mag.

“I’m lucky that he was there for me and is one of my best mates on and off the water.”

But folks, there’s more.

Ryan, a year 11 student at Matthew Flinders Anglican College on the Sunshine Coast, won the junior division of the Coconet Classic and finished third at the Elliott Head Nationals in 2008.

As a kiter, he can hold his own on the world stage.

So why isn’t he there yet?

Roman Nowinski, a spokesman for Ryan’s sponsor Nobile, said he has great potential as a rider and is one of the company’s shinning stars.

“He’s doing really well and I think that once Tom finishes schools he will have many opportunities to compete internationally,” he said.

“At the moment his priority is to finish school.”

The 16-year-old recently trained for two weeks at Woody’s in WA and stayed with local young gun

Michael Bell.

“My fluency, power, consistency are strong attributes I have as a rider,’’ he said. “But my best strength as a rider is my commitment and willingness to always try something new and ride as hard as possible.

“All the crew here in WA push each other to new levels.

“I learnt a few new tricks like the front mobe and kgb,

Ryan said he got involved in kiting after his brother took up the sport.

He prays for wind when it is not up and does everything he needs to so that when it blows he can be out there.