He's just 21 years of age but already Soli Bailey is making waves inside and outside his chosen sporting career.
He's been the face of several marketing campaigns as a model, putting his film star good looks to use away from the surf.
Bailey says being an Indigenous role model to encourage more youngsters to take up the sport is something he loves to do.
"Yeah, you know, I just want to pave the way for everyone else to get out there and do what I'm trying to do."
Two weeks ago he won his biggest tournament to date, the Pipe Pro in Hawaii.
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But he's not a professional yet.
This week's event at Manly isn't on the professional circuit, but he says his win in Hawaii has given him the belief he can make it.
"It was definitely the biggest win I've had to date. I'm really stoked for that but you know there's a long year ahead and obviously the goal is to have some more big wins in this year and move onto another level of even bigger stuff."
The event at Manly is the fifth staging of the Australian Open and it's a tournament that gives aspiring young surfers the chance to compete against some of the bigger names.
That's not the only benefit, says event organiser Simon Corkill.
"Here you've got the crowds that can cheer them on and its just a great opportunity for them to be with the best of the best, they are going to get better when they're surfing with the best."
Surfing makes its Olympic debut at the 2020 Tokyo Games, and for the new generation of surfers, the chance to represent your country is something Bailey wants to be part of.
"You know It's really special to me to represent Indigenous surfing for Australia and I just want to do my country proud and I'd love to compete there in the Olympics in a couple of years time and be the first Indigenous surfer to be a part of all that stuff."
But more immediately, the Byron Bay boy is hoping to keep winning tournaments starting with the Manly event which concludes this weekend.
"A win, the biggest thing would be great to win this event, some more points, great money, its all that stuff. I'm going to be here having fun enjoying the week but that's what I'm here for."
Young, talented and focused, Bailey is set to make surfing history in Tokyo.
But that might not be the end of the story.
