Some of Hawai'i's best young surfers are in Australia this week for the Billabong World Junior Championships.

The contest is for surfers age 21 and younger, professional or amateur. It will run tomorrow to Jan. 8 at North Narrabeen, Sydney, Australia.

"This is considered THE contest for the juniors," said Rainos Hayes, a Hawai'i surfing coach. "There are a lot of other events around the world for juniors now, but if you win this one, you're considered the junior world champ."

Surfers from around the world have to compete in qualifying contests to earn one of the 48 spots in the World Junior Championships.

Hawai'i received six spots this year: Kai Barger, T.J. Barron, Dustin Cuizon, Hank Gaskell, Granger Larsen and Dusty Payne.

"Talentwise, these kids are as good as anybody in the field," Hayes said. "But the waves there are not that great, so you really have to come through in small surf."

Cuizon placed second to Brazil's Pablo Paulino in last year's final.

The only Hawai'i surfer to win the junior world championship was Kaua'i's Andy Irons in 1998.

Also this year, there will be a girls division for the first time. Only 18 spots were awarded in the girls division.

Hawai'i surfers in the girls division are Carissa Moore and Leilani Gryde.

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com.