But now the Anna Bay 15-year-old has used a local break advantage to chilling effect when the Port Stephens Surfest trials were held at Birubi Beach last month.

The natural-footer revelled in the small right handers to win both the under 16 and pro-junior events and secure two spots in the Hunter’s premier surfing festival, which began on Tuesday at Merewether Beach.

‘‘I’ve been in the under 16 (Surfest) final for the last two years, so the idea is definitely to win it this time,’’ he said.

Two years on the Rip Curl Grom Search tour saw Herman climb to fifth on the Australian under 16 rankings by the end of 2009.

With this his last summer in that age group the Port gromet is determined to stamp his name on one of those top five spots.

He will also look to better his pro-junior (21 year and under) result from Surfest 2009 when he bowed out in the round of 64, the first round for wildcard entrants.

‘‘This year I really want to get through two or three rounds.’’

The pro-junior event starts today with some of Australia’s best junior boys and girls fighting for a share of $18,000 and valuable ratings points.

A wildcard berth in the $37,000 4-star main event will also go to the junior-pro boys winner.