In 2008 Dion Atkinson came 22nd on the WQS and, due to a bunch of double-qualifiers, only missed out on World Tour qualification by a few places. Rather than get dispirited by a near miss the little-known South Australian has hit the ground running in 2009.

He got this year's campaign off to a flyer with a 5th at the Cold Water Classic in Tassie followed by a 3rd at Margaret River. Those two results placed him 3rd on the 'QS after the Aussie leg. Since then he's had two more good results and is currently sitting in 16th with just four results (seven count toward the final tally).

It's no coincidence that most of Dion's competitive success has come in the big stuff. Despite hailing from Seaford on the midcoast of Adelaide – a place notorious for knee-high peelers - he regularly clocks up the highway miles with trips to the power breaks on the Yorke and Eyre Peninsulas. No suprise then that Sunset and Haliewa rate as favourite waves.

And with the 'QS running in quality waves, and looking more like a mini-Dream Tour each year, Dion's chances of qualification are on the rise. He's also done better in the second half of the year in the past so is looking forward to the run home.

His plan for the rest of the season is to pick off the 6 star and 6 star prime comps, hopefully get within striking distance, and then lay it on the line in Hawai'i. He's got a swag of Gunther Rohn's shapes to get him there.

Dion flies out to the Maldives shortly where the Sri Lankan Airline Pro starts on the 8th May. He's had success at Pasta Point before. We'll keep you posted on how he goes this year.// STUART NETTLE