Because of the lucrative sponsorship deals for brands of shoes, clothing, and skateboard paraphernalia, US prodigies are now finding themselves at the centre of a feeding frenzy as agents scout out skateparks and half-pipes hoping to snap up young talent.

Two of the brightest stars of the scene are the nine-year-old twins Nic and Tristan Puehse, from California. They are already a global phenomenon. A YouTube video featuring the boys has been watched at least 2.5 million times since it was posted at the start of the year, and they already boast sponsorship from Nike and the sports drinks company Gatorade.

Their father, Michael, started sending videotapes to possible sponsors when they were just six years old. "If they continue to progress like they're doing, there's no doubt they're going to be pro," he told The New York Times.

This is not just fatherly bluster. So skilled are the boys that the California Amateur Skateboard League has created a new division for commercially sponsored skaters aged 10 and younger.