Australian youngster Ethan Ewing will spend next year on the world surfing championship tour after an impressive year in the qualifying series.
The 18-year-old rising star finished third on the second-tier tour after making the quarter-finals at the last qualifying event in Hawaii on Sunday (Monday AEDT).
With the top-10 qualifiers securing a place on next year's main tour, Queenslander Ewing has beat out more experienced rivals with victories at Burleigh and in Costa Rica this season.
His breakout 2016 also included a second place at the prestigious US Open of Surfing where he beat then-No.4 Adriano de Souza in the semi-finals.
Fellow Australian Connor O'Leary's strong year saw him win the qualifying series despite a disappointing third-round finish at Oahu's Sunset Beach on Sunday.
Sydneysider O'Leary will contest his first championship tour after coming close to a place last year, improving from 15th in 2015.
Compatriot Jack Freestone, ranked 29 in the world, has also booked his championship tour spot, with a semi-final berth in Oahu handing him the 10th and final qualifying spot.
World No.2 South African Jordy Smith took out the event in Hawaii on Sunday.
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