Surfing: Matt-Lewis Hewitt hopes to catch break into 100

Mount Maunganui surfer Matt-Lewis Hewitt doing what he loves most. Photo/Cory/NZ Surfing Magazine

Matt-Lewis Hewitt is close to reaching his long-held ambition of breaking into the top 100 surfers in the world.

The 22-year-old from Mount Maunganui is competing on the ASP WQS (World Qualifying Series), the second tier in the ASP's two-tier system, and his performances there will determine if he qualifies for the ASP World Tour.

Hewitt flew to Mexico on Friday to contest the six-star Los Cabos Open of Surf on the ASP North America tour, with his international ranking at 155.

"I just need one or two good results in the right rated comps to break the top 100 because it is all a seeding thing that goes from one star to six stars, which is what I am going for in Cabos," Hewitt said. "There are only a few of those six stars throughout the year, which makes it a lot harder."

Hewitt won the New Zealand national title at Piha in 2009 to become the second youngest surfer at 17 behind Richard Christie to claim it.

He then established himself as one of the top young surfers on the world pro-juniors tour before a serious knee injury kept him out of the water for nearly all of 2010.

But it happened during a training ride in small waves off Mount Maunganui beach, rather than being pounded by some of the monster waves he has conquered in the past.

Hewitt has a mantra from Muhammad Ali that kept him going through those long months of rehab: "Champions aren't made in gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them - a desire, a dream, a vision. They have to have the skill and the will. But the will must be stronger than the skill."

It must have worked as he recovered to become the first Kiwi to win twice on the ASP Pro Junior tour in 2011 - a feat Maz Quin managed just once.

But there is more to Hewitt than focusing on his own goals.

He is an ambassador with Deuce Generation footwear and the Young Hearts Project, with partners Youth Line and Great Potentials, that provide inspiration, hope and financial help to young New Zealanders.

So far $100,000 has been raised through the sale of Deuce Generation shoes.

Hewitt gave an inspiring speech to a packed assembly at Manurewa Intermediate recently and has spoken to Tauranga school groups.

"I enjoy giving back to the community and to younger kids, just trying to help them through the tough times. I talk about my journey and what it has taken. It makes a difference."

Not bad for a kid from Tauranga Boys' College, who grew up wanting to be an All Black and did not start surfing seriously until he was 15.