But opportunity of success on the notorious Hawaii break can write a bodyboarders name in the top echelons of the sport.

And that is what awaits Port Macquarie’s Sam Bennett.

The young up-and-coming star of Australian bodyboarding jet set for the Hawaiian island of Oahu on Monday for his first attempt at the Turbo Pipeline Pro.

“I am so psyched up for this,” Bennett said.

“I have been waiting for the chance to get out of Australia and the opportunity to test myself against the best in the sport.”

Bennett will be in Hawaii for the whole of February and his focus is the Turbo Pipeline Pro.

“It can be pretty scary,” the 19-year-old said.

“But I am determined to test myself against the best no matter how big the surf is or who you are against when you are out there it is all about competition wanting to win.”

Bennett said he has been waiting patiently for this opportunity and believed he should have gone last year.

“But I know what I can do and this year is as good a time as any,” he said.

“I just want to do my best and no look like a gook.”

Last year’s Turbo Pipeline Pro event was won by Australian body boarding legend Ryan Hardy and in competing in Hawaii Bennett is following in the footsteps of the man he looks up to the most.

“The bodyboarder that I respect he most is Mitch Rawlins,” Bennett said.

“He is my inspiration, I don’t know him, but he will be there and it will be great to be competing at the same event.”

Who knows maybe Bennett will know Rawlins by the end of the event.

The young bodyboarder will be sharing a house on the Hawaiian island with three mates from all around Australia.

“I will be hanging out with Charles Ward from Tassie and a couple of other guys which will be really great,” he said.

All things go to plan Bennett will not return to Australia for long with another overseas trip planned in 2010.

“I would really like to Chile and Peru for two other competitions in May,” he said.

“But I guess we will just have to wait and see with that.”