REX - Regional Express

closeup Image: Trent Mitchell/Red Bull Content Pool 12 Above and left: Julian out of the water at Bells Beach; wearing his pink boardies to raise awareness for the National Breast Cancer Foundation at the Quiksilver Pro on the Gold Coast in March. Image: Mitchel Ross number one Wayne 'Rabbit' Bartholomew has touted Julian as the total package and a world champion contender. Taking out the World Championship Tour (WCT) is definitely a goal for the young surfer. The stepping stone for Julian was winning a WCT event, which he achieved last year at the Rip Curl Pro in Portugal. It's a feat that, not surprisingly, he names as a highlight of his surfing career to date, and the location holds a special place for him now. "When I get good results the places obviously stand out," Julian says. "I won my first tour event last year in Portugal and the waves there are really fun and about as good as a beach break gets." In his cool, calm, matter-of-fact way, Julian says his next goal is to win a world title. "I finished in the top 10 the last two years and I've won a world tour event. The next step for me is to win a world title." For now, Julian is keen to get back into the water and back on tour. "This year I'll be trying to win more events and trying to be more consistent on tour. I just really enjoy competing and I really enjoy the places that we go to." The natural-footed surfer is fully aware of the fortunate life he has made for himself and, in his humble manner, says he is inspired by the idea of not only surfing with the world's best but also representing his family. "They've always been a really big driving force for me." "Life on tour is fun. It's a lot of travelling and time away from family, but I get the chance to surf with just one or two other guys in the water at the best time of the year. Realistically, for a surfer, I'm really living the dream." "The stepping stone for Julian ... was winning a world tour event, which he achieved last year at the Rip Curl Pro in Portugal."

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