CULBURRA-born Tyler Wright is keen to get her season off to a good start at the inaugural Australian Open of Surfing at Manly beach tomorrow.

The current world No. 4 had a rookie season to remember last year, finishing runner-up at the Roxy Pro Gold Coast, third at the Subaru Pro TSB Bank Women's Surf Festival and the quarter-finals at five other events on the ASP Women's World Tour before being named rookie of the year at season's end.

The 17-year-old now seems at ease with the increased expectations at the start of a season that promises so much. ''I just want to be consistent and enjoy my surfing,'' the Lennox Head local said.

''If I can match or improve on last year's performances I'll be happy. Last year I learnt a lot and also made a lot of rookie mistakes, but that's part of it.''

Wright comes from good surfing stock as one of five children, including last year's men's world No. 3 Owen Wright.

''Owen has led the way and I really look up to him and the things that he's done,'' Tyler said. ''The things that he's shown me and helped me out with have really accelerated my learning.''

Contest co-director Luke Egan rates Wright as a good chance to take out the contest. ''I think she's really suited to the competition and the conditions,'' he said. ''All the other surfers will definitely be keeping an eye on her.''

Two to four-foot swells have been predicted for the first week of the nine-day contest, with bigger waves on the horizon.