YOU would expect butterflies to be doing pre-flight stretching exercises in the stomach of teenager Adam Grimson a couple of days out from the biggest event of his burgeoning career.

Not a sign. Nerves don’t appear to be a factor for the 14-year-old as he chats on the phone from Auckland in the countdown to the 2010 Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championship at Piha Beach.

In fact, it seems to be the opposite. When asked how he’s feeling, the enthusiasm is obvious, even without being face-to-face . . . “I’m amping.”

Grimson is one of three Gisborne surfers in the 12-strong Rip Curl New Zealand squad to be joined by more than 20 teams from five continents at the week-long worlds, which start tomorrow.

Grimson is competing in the under-16 boys division, Johnny Hicks the u18 boys and Jayda Martin-Fitzharris the u18 girls. Gisborne-connected Australian-based Sarah Mason is also in the team.

It is Grimson’s first taste of the worlds and the second-youngest member of the Kiwi team is all positive about his prospects.

“I’m surfing good . . . I’ll just be taking it round by round . . . there’s no pressure on me.”

Grimson, whose favourite surfer is, of course, Kelly Slater, knows all about the heat of competitive battle but maintains a refreshing attitude to his sport.

“I like going out there meeting new people . . . and having fun.”

The meeting new people part is guaranteed. Several of the teams are staying at the Sky Tower and Grimson has already talked to a couple of fellow competitors.

While Grimson still has three worlds ahead of him, the 2010 edition marks the end of another chapter in the glowing amateur career of Hicks.

This will be his fifth and final world juniors and he’s keen not only to go out on a high but to do it in front of a “home” crowd.

“I’m getting pretty excited,” he said. “This is my last one and it’s good to have it at home.”

Hicks, 17, knows what it is going to take to emulate or beat his previous best result of ninth in France in the u16 age group. “I just have to stay focused and get the waves . . . and do the best I can.”

He is familiar with Piha and what can be a fickle break. “It can be big and wild or small, soft and clean. I wouldn’t mind if it was two-to-three-foot with a light onshore (breeze) but I don’t want it small.”

Hicks is “pretty happy” with his form and preparation which has involved “practising my airs and getting them down pat”.

A strong performance will kickstart a year in which he aims to collect an elusive first national championship title (in Gisborne over Easter). He also has a few pro junior series contests in Australia and a trip to Bali in the pipeline.

Martin-Fitzharris is determined to improve on her 16th at last year’s worlds but like the other two her priority is performing to her own expectations. “As long as I surf good, I’ll be happy.”

The daughter of multiple national longboard titleholder Michael Fitzharris got some beach time to herself on Monday morning and took full advantage. She likes Piha “because no two days are ever the same”.

She has made sure she is fully prepared — including extensive cross-training in the pool and on the skateboard — and while expecting nerves to kick in closer to the day, excitement is the over-riding feeling.

The 14-year-old has plenty to look forward to on the competitive scene this year. She is out to clinch a first national title and is counting down to the Women’s Surf Festival in Taranaki in April. The event comprises the New Zealand women’s nationals and a pro junior (u20) contest. and climaxes in a World Championship Tour round featuring Kiwi hotshot Paige Hareb.