Aussie surfers must 'step up': Wilson

Julian Wilson says Australia's next generation of surfers must "step up" in 2019 to replicate the world title-winning feats of icons Mick Fanning and Joel Parkinson.

Wilson, 30, fell short of becoming the nation's first male champion since 2013, finishing runner-up to Brazilian Gabriel Medina at the season-ending Pipe Masters in Hawaii.

Now with 2012 winner Parkinson following three-time winner Fanning into retirement, Australia will be without an active champion on the men's tour next season.

But Wilson is adamant the storied duo have laid the foundation for the new breed to succeed in their absence.

"We have some great talent on tour from Australia who set the bar super high," he told AAP.

"There were guys before them that set the bar super high as well.

"It's time for us to step up."

Wilson will enter the 2019 season, the ninth of his career, as the No.1-ranked Aussie ahead of fellow qualifiers Owen Wright (fifth), Wade Carmichael (ninth), Mikey Wright (12th) and Adrian Buchan (17th).

Despite being Australia's leading contender, the Queensland veteran insisted he didn't feel the pressure of carrying the hopes of the nation.

"I've just kind of got to focus on myself personally to achieve my dreams," Wilson said.

"If I can do that, I can take everyone with me."

Wilson said he could always lean on Fanning and Parkinson for guidance, especially as they're no longer tour rivals.

"They've left such a strong legacy for me," he said.

"They're close friends of mine. I know that the support's there. Any questions I have, they've got answers."

But the Sunshine Coast native, who has recorded overall finishes of second and third in the past two years, is well aware it will be somewhat of a changing of the guard at the Gold Coast's season-opening Quicksilver Pro in April.

"It's a strange thought that Mick (Fanning), Joel (Parkinson), Bede (Durbidge), Taj (Burrow) are all gone," Wilson said.

"I always used to look forward to seeing them at Snapper (Rocks) at the start of the year.

"It's (the tour) got such a new face to it without those guys."