Two local surfers were among the top contenders including last year’s equal third place finisher, Culburra Beach’s Owen Wright and VonZipper wild card entry Dean Bowen from Gerroa.

Wright wasted no time in the hunt for the Asp World Junior Title, posting an 8.50 and 9.33 to take out his round one heat and post the highest heat total of the day.

“I’m feeling really healthy right now,” Wright said.

“I’ve been at home ironing out the kinks in my surfing and body so I feel really good coming into this event.”

Bowen’s ride of success began at the VonZipper Trials on January 2, where he posted the finals highest scoring ride with an 8.5 and placed second in the four man final behind Queensland’s Julian Wilson.

With the top two placed surfers receiving wild cards, Bowen secured his spot in the world championships.

In his opening heat on Saturday the South Coast product finished at the top with a 12.16 ahead of Hawaiian Dusty Payne and American Travis Beckmann.

The women hit the water yesterday for their opening rounds with former Culburra surfer Tyler Wright finishing last in her heat behind Hawaiian Bethany Hamilton and French surfer Alizee Arnaud.

In round two she lifted her game to take out the heat by 2.66 points and progress to the next stage.

Competition will continue over the next six days with the finals for the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships scheduled for January 10, provided conditions are suitable.