New bub inspires surf pro

NEW dad Julian Wilson believes the best way to make time away from his wife and baby daughter count is to win a world title for them.

Wilson says he has a feeling the “time is right” for him to press for a maiden world crown as he prepares to defend his Tahiti Pro crown at Teahupo’o.

The Australian world No. 2 says he misses wife Ashley and baby daughter Olivia so much when he is away competing he wants to make every moment away from them count.

“Things are a little different now,” he said from Tahiti.

“My wife used to travel with me a lot. She was my travel partner, so it’s been a big change.

“And with my baby girl at home, it’s been harder and harder to leave.

“It gives me a bit of extra motivation – to make my time away from her count more.”

Wilson goes into the Tahiti Pro in the No. 2 spot on the world rankings behind in- form Brazilian Filipe Toledo, with five world tour events to surf this season. It’s a position Wilson is comfortable with.

“It could be my year. I am putting in the foundations to give it a really good crack,” Wilson said.

Just after the birth of his first child, Wilson won the first event of the men’s world tour at the Quiksilver Pro in March.

Since then he has finished 13th at Bells Beach, third at the Oi Rio Pro, 13th at the Corona Bali Protected event and then fifth at the J- Bay Open.