Aussie rising surf star chases next step

She's on the rise in world surfing but Australia's Nikki Van Dijk knows 2016 is the year she needs to break into the sport's elite.

The Victorian was a constant quarter-finalist last year, making the last eight at six events on the 2015 World Surf League tour.

Van Dijk didn't however get past the quarters in any of those appearances and the 21-year-old knows breaking into a semi-final or final is the challenge that awaits her in 2016.

"I'm seriously trying to get through to a final this year," Van Dijk said.

"I'm gonna take it heat by heat but really, that's a big goal of mine this year. It's going to take some really good surfing.

"Hopefully I can do it."

Van Dijk was unable to pip world champion Carissa Moore in a quarter-final qualifier at Snapper Rocks on Saturday.

Instead she'll have to overcome six-time world champion Stephanie Gilmore in a fourth-round elimination heat before she gets another chance to crash past the quarter-final barrier.