The South African goofy-footer, who calls Newcastle home, was a close second in the Great Lakes Pro on Sunday at Boomerang Beach, going down to Hawaiian Luana Silva 13.65 to 13.45 in the final. It followed Baum's win at another 1000-point contest, the Maroubra Pro, three weeks ago.

Baum led for most of the final but Silva hit the front inside the last six minutes with a 6.4. Baum needed a 6.61 but her hopes were all but dashed with two minutes to go when she made a priority error, which gave Silva the chance to close it out.

"I'm stoked with my start to this year," Baum said.

"I would have loved to go one spot better at this event, but I have no complaints.

"I wanted to get busy at the beginning at the heat and see what happened, especially with the higher tide coming through in the final.

"With Luana being one of the younger girls, I wanted to put a bit of pressure on her, but she managed to get a few scores underneath me which allowed her to get the win."

The results are a strong start for Baum, who said she was ready to go for the 3000-point Central Coast Pro at Avoca on Tuesday.

"This off-season I was putting in so many hours each day training in the water or in the gym and it just goes to show that it's starting to pay off, so I'm excited for the rest of the year," she said.

Merewether's Jackson Baker was a quarter-finalist in the men's event won by Kai Warner.

Also Sunday, Surfest's Sanbah Cadet Cup finals were held at South Bar Beach.

Hugh Vaughan (Bateau Bay) won the 16 years and under boys' decider and Milli Allport (Long Jetty) the girls'. Chez Bos (Burleigh Heads) won the 14 and under boys'.