The event is the third Queensland leg of the Australasia Pro Junior circuit and the Point Lookout surfer is rated as a top chance to take out the event.

"Tim won the under 18 boys Australian Titles in December last year, and, being a local boy, will be hard to beat," Chad Calderon of Surfing Queensland said.

In January, Tim represented Australia at the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships in North Narabeen, and with his recent good showing in the Australian Titles, is the form surfer going into the event.

"I'm feeling pretty good at the moment," Tim said. "It should be great to compete in a competition at home, in front of all my friends and family."

"There's eight more events on the circuit, and with the Newcastle and Tahiti events coming up, I'm hoping to do well next week to get back in contention," he said.

Tim is not the only North Stradbroke local competing in the event. The Specht brothers ? Logan and Nathan - are also expected to perform well.

"All the locals are in with a good chance," Chad said. "They know the waves better than anyone, and are all proud to be from Stradbroke Island, so they will be trying pretty hard to win."

The trio's major opposition is expected to come from current ratings leader Mitch Crews from Currumbin, as well as Sunshine Coast up-and-comer Chris Friend, who sits fourth overall.

The event kicks off at Point Lookout today, February 9 and runs until Saturday, February 13.