The Portland young gun began his Australian Junior Surfing titles campaign with a silver streak at Coolum Beach, Queensland.

He came second in his opening heat, edging closer to under 18 boys' division finals.

Luke attributed his success to borrowing a surfboard from Portland professional surfer Adam Robertson.

"I didn't really have a good board for small waves and I spoke to Adam and he has lent me one of his small wave boards," Luke said yesterday.

"He's in Hawaii surfing huge waves at Sunset Beach so he sure doesn't need it at present.

"But for me, the board went well here today and I'm sure it will help me all week."

Australia's top junior surfers are competing at the championships.

Winners of the boys' 18 and 16 divisions and 18-year-old girls' section will represent Australia at the International Surfing Association World Surfing Games in New Zealand in January.

The Australian Junior Surfing titles finishes this Saturday.