Six things: 'Ace' Buchan

Following his impressive performance at Portugal's World Championship Tour event last week, Adrian 'Ace' Buchan is holding his place as one of Australia's most successful yet lesser-known surfers, with Mick Fanning and Taj Burrow the only compatriots heading him in the ASP World Title race.

But he's also one of the Tour's more interesting characters.

1. He's a published author

Buchan has written a children's book, Macka's Barrell into the Dreamtime: A Journey in Magic Realism, which covers topics as diverse as Indigenous-Anglo Saxon relations, the Australian environment and the joy of surfing. With illustrations by artist Anthony Williams, Buchan launched his book early last year. He also regularly contributes articles to surfing magazines and the Sydney Morning Herald.

2. He got an early start

Like the majority of sportsmen and women who are elite in their field, Buchan was honing his craft as soon as possible. At age four his dad had him in the water at Avoca Beach, NSW, a breeding ground for World Tour surfers in the early '90s. Avoca Point, a break Buchan still calls his local today, is among his favourite waves.

3. He was a child prodigy

Inspired by local idols Shane Powell, Ross Clarke-Jones and the late Mark Sainsbury, Buchan launched his career in fine fashion, winning the World Junior Championships at under-16 and under-18 level. He was also the Australasian Pro junior champion in 2000 and 2001.

4. 2009 was his year of big improvement

It took a while for Buchan to break through and have an impact on the World Tour, with a serious ankle injury in 2006 ruling him out of competition for nearly two years. But in his fourth year on tour, 2009, Buchan was named most improved surfer and finished the year ranked No.23.

5. He's beaten his hero

While 2009 saw Buchan string consistent surfing together, 2008 was the year he notched his maiden tour win – against one of the sport's biggest names. Buchan says he's idolised Kelly Slater since he was 10 years old, and the pair came head-to-head in the final at Les Bourdaines, France. A win would have sealed the 2008 title for Slater, but Buchan kept his head and sealed a career highlight of his own.

6. He has a social conscience

Surfing can be a profitable pastime if you do it well, and Buchan is committing to giving something back as an ambassador for the Inspire Foundation, which seeks to improve the mental health and wellbeing of young people. "If I can just share some of the lessons that I've learned with people that are having a tough time, I think that's a good way to kind of give back," he has said.

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of BigPond Sport.