Surfing: Butler at peak for world title shot

Raiha Ensor (left) and Kehu Butler are part of a strong Mount Maunganui contingent in the New Zealand team to contest the World Junior Surfing Championships in California. Photo / John Borren

Kehu Butler believes it is his time to be world champion.

The Arataki surfer has been regarded as one of the future stars in world surfing for the past few years, but now he wants to step up to the top of the podium.

Butler, 15, leaves for California tomorrow for the 2015 Vissla ISA World Junior Surfing Championships along with Callum Chuter, Jonas Tawharu, Kaya Horne, Elin Tawharu and Raiha Ensor, who all learned their craft along the Mount Maunganui coastline.

"This is my third year going to the ISA World Juniors competing in the under-16s. I feel like I can win it and I have next year as well," Kehu said.

"All of the past mistakes and experiences going to those competitions has helped make me a better surfer. My surfing is at its peak at the moment so hopefully this year I can bring it home.

"The bigger the event and the better the result gets me that step closer to my goal of becoming a pro surfer."

Kehu, who is in Year 11 at Mount Maunganui College, has grown up on the small surf at the Mount beaches and the surf at Oceanside Beach, California, is similar.

"It is quite small there, with bad surf like home, so it should suit the way I surf. Oceanside has a similar break so it should be good."

Ensor, who turns 16 today, attends the Raglan Surf Academy and is competing in the under-16 girls' division. This is her first time selected for New Zealand.

"I got reserve last year so this is exciting.

"I have always wanted to be the best I can be so this has been my goal for the last two years," she said.

Completing the Mount Maunganui influence in the New Zealand team is Kahn Butler, who will manage the 12-strong team.

He is confident this year's team can break into the top five countries at the event, after finishing 10th last year.

"To be honest the population and surf industry in countries like USA and Aussie are huge.

"We have got our backs against the wall but we will be striving to get better than 10th this year," Kahn said.

"We have the goods to do it. Kehu was seventh last year and should climb the ladder if not win it."

-Mount surfers Lee Ririnui and Kea Smith are non-travelling reserves.