MEREWETHER surfer Jackson Baker admitted he was "still in shock" after achieving a lifelong dream of qualifying for the world tour.
Baker will join fellow clubmates Ryan Callinan and Morgan Cibilic in next year's top-flight competition having secured a ticket on Monday morning (AEST).
Having already been knocked out in the opening round at the final stop of the Challenger Series in Hawaii, results fell the Novocastrian's way meaning he scored a top-12 spot.
"I'm still in shock, I'm over the moon, it's something I've dreamed of for a long, long time," Baker told World Surf League media.
"This past week has been number crunching, one of the longest weeks of my life. To be standing here now chatting to you feels pretty surreal. I'm so excited."
Baker paid tribute to his late mother and "everyone who has helped me get to this point".
"The amount of people I've got to thank is incredible," he said.
"From my girlfriend, to my dad, my sister, my girlfriend's family, Adam Trypas, Merewether Surfboard Club, everyone that's helped me get to this point. This isn't just for me, this is for you.
"And especially to my mum upstairs, I hope I've done you proud mum and I miss you so much."
Baker wasn't looking too far ahead in the 2022 calendar, but will now refocus for the opening CT events at Pipeline from January 29 and Sunset from February 11.
"I really, really enjoy Sunset. It'll be good to test myself at Pipe, I've never really got too many waves out there before," he said.
"Now it's time to put the work in at places I'm not too comfortable at. I'm in shock, I couldn't even tell you the calendar of events right now I'm just thinking about the first two and getting through those and like I said it's a dream come true."
