“I’ve heard Occy (Mark Occhilupo CS) and Sunny Garcia are going to be surfing, so to surf against them in a heat would be sick,” Jake said.

“I go into the main heats, so straight way I’m probably against a ceded surfer.

“I’d love to make it through a few heats but just winning one heat would be good for me.

“I’m not going to hold back.”

The Newcastle High School student has surfed in the pro junior and cadet events at Surfest since he was in primary school but this year will be his first time in the World Qualifying Series main event.

Jake finished second in a trial at Birubi Beach to win a wildcard into the round of 48.

He is presently sitting 24th on the U20s Australasian Pro Junior circuit that is a stepping stone to the World Qualifying Series and ASP World Tour.

Although Newcastle has been represented by surfing legends Mark Richards, Luke Egan, Matt Hoy and Nick Wood in the past, there are no Novocastrians on the World Tour at the moment.

That is something Jake and a few of his pro junior mates are keen to rectify.

Jake surfs Merewether Beach most days with fellow Surfest wildcard entrant Ryan Callinan and Craig Anderson who surfed last weekend in the ASP World Tour event on the Gold Coast after winning a wildcard.

“It would be good to see a local come through and do well,” Jake said.

“Me and Ryan are definitely aiming to (make the World Tour) and Craig is well on his way at the moment, he is surfing amazing.

“We have a fair way to go yet but it’s our goal.”

Surfest started yesterday, March 2, with junior events and teams challe-nges on until Tuesday, March 9, when the pro event heats start.