After the South Coast celebrated Wright’s world title last year, Coledale’s Lucas Wrice will carry the Illawarra’s hopes at the elite junior event, having been handed a wildcard.

Wrice finished runner-up at the 2016 Australian under 18 championships and is hoping to take his form to another level, starting with a first round heat against Japan’s Yuji Nishi and Taichi Wakita.

“It’s great to have so many surfers from all over the world come here,” the 17-year-old Bulli High School student said. “Since I got the wildcard, it’s really motivated me to put in the work on my surfing and make the most of this opportunity.

“I just want to improve my surfing this year and hopefully I can do well and win the Australiasian tour, that’s my goal. I’ve never really surfed down at Kiama before, but I can’t wait to compete against some great surfers.”

Queensland sensation Ethan Ewing is the hot favourite, winner of the junior qualifying series after taking out four of the five 2016 Australasian qualifying events.

“I do feel a bit of pressure coming into this event,” Ewing said.

“It is a bit of a warm up for me ahead of a big year but is still probably the most important event of my career so far.

“This is my first time down on the South Coast and it’s been really enjoyable so far so I can’t wait for competition to get underway.” 

The top Australian girl to qualify was Central Coast surfer Macy Callaghan.

Callaghan, like Ewing dominated the 2016 junior qualifying series, winning five of the eight events in her region and competing on the world qualifying school tour. 

“This is a massive event for me, probably the biggest of my life,” Callaghan said.

“Making it to the event is a big deal because only 17 other girls from around the world have done it. It just shows that it is going to be a tough one to win because the talent pool is so big here.” 

Kiama has secured the rights to host the event again next year. The event window runs from Wednesday until January 13.