Simultaneously self assured and humble, 11-year-old Sabre Norris aspires to go two places higher on an Olympic podium than her bronze medal winning dad Justin and also eclipse one of his less edifying records.
Sabre is the youngest surfer to earn a wildcard spot in a major Australian surfing event, after securing a place at the Sydney International Women's Pro, the final Qualifying Series event of the year, starting at Cronulla Beach on Thursday.
NSW youngster Norris certainly hasn't been handed any favours in the draw with her first round heat opposition including world No.9 ranked Sage Erickson.
The event is being staged and backed by world tour stalwart Sally Fitzgibbons, who is already a mentor to the NSW youngster.
"I just can't believe out of all the girls in the world, Sally has given me the wildcard to go in to her first event (as a promoter)," Norris told AAP.
"It's a crucial event of the Qualifying Series right now, so I can't believe she's been this nice to give one now, I hope I can make her proud."
Norris, who started surfing at five, is also an accomplished skateboarder.
Both of those sports have been added to the program for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Sabre wants to qualify for the Games, like her father did in 2000 and 2004.
At the Sydney 2000 Games, Justin Norris shaded a 15-year-old Michael Phelps for third place in the 200m butterfly swimming final.
Sabre finds swimming "a bit boring," but is already targeting a surfing spot in Tokyo, despite the fact she will only be in her mid-teens.
Norris wants to eclipse her father's Olympic feats inside and outside competition, though the latter is a somewhat dubious distinction.
"He had a goal to eat 100 chicken nuggets, he ate 97 and vomited, but he still ate the last three," Norris said.
"I might have to eat really healthy before I try that challenge when I'm at the Olympics, so then i don't have to feel too bad about myself
"But I really would like to win a gold medal in the Olympics for surfing and then I can say I've beaten him in two things.
"That would be really cool."
