Kaua'i's Tyler Newton says he does not know much about the French language.

"Bonjour," he said with a laugh. "That's the only word I know."

Newton and 11 other young surfers from Hawai'i would like their surfing to do the talking at the Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championship at France.

The annual event is considered the world championship for surfers age 18 and younger.

Around 300 surfers representing 28 countries or regions are expected to participate in the week-long contest. The competition is scheduled to start Sunday and finish May 31.

Hawai'i is allowed to enter as its own team because of its storied history in the sport (the United States will have a separate team).

"We're going to bring our Hawaiian flag, and we already have jackets made up for the team with a big 'Hawai'i' on the back," said Team Hawai'i coach Rainos Hayes. "It's a really neat event because it's not just about individual competition like most surf contests. They actually have a team trophy, and that's what we're after."

Four major trophies are awarded at the junior championships: boys 18-younger champion, girls 18-younger champion, boys 16-younger champion, and team champion.

Members of Team Hawai'i are Keanu Asing (boys 16 division), Matty Costa (boys 16), Dylan Goodale (boys 18), Tanner Hendrickson (boys 16), Coco Ho (girls 18), Leila Hurst (girls 18), Granger Larsen (boys 18), Malia Manuel (girls 18), Keala Naihe (boys 16), Tyler Newton (boys 18), Alessa Quizon (girls 18) and Alex Smith (boys 18).

The team is a mix of surfers from O'ahu, Kaua'i, Maui and the Big Island.

"I think it's a great mix," Hayes said. "We've got some with experience in these kinds of events, and others who are going for the first time. But they're all capable of winning."

Australia won the team title last year, Brazil won it in 2006, and Hawai'i took it in 2005. Other contenders include the United States team, France, New Zealand and South Africa.

"It's hard because there are so many good guys from all these different places," said Maui's Hendrickson, who is representing Hawai'i for the second consecutive year. "It's like you have to be at your best every single heat."

The only problem for the Hawai'i surfers could be the surf.

Waves are expected to be small and crumbly in France, unlike the powerful barreling waves the Hawai'i surfers grow up with.

"That's part of the sport," said Kaua'i's Newton, who is gaining a reputation as a big-wave charger. "You have to adapt to everything."

To prepare for the conditions, Hayes has instructed the surfers to practice in small waves whenever possible.

Asing said he has been surfing at various spots around O'ahu to practice for the contest.

"Bigger waves, smaller waves, good, junk, everything," Asing said. "I want to be ready for what ever it is up there."

Makaha's Quizon placed fifth in the girls 18 division last year, when she was one of the youngest competitors in the field at 13. Hawai'i finished third in the team standings last year, when the event was held at Portugal.

"I hope the experience of last year will help me, because I think the waves in France will be similar to Portugal," she said. "But I still have no worries. I know I'm still going to be one of the younger girls out there."

Larsen, Ho and Manuel were members of the 2005 Hawai'i team that won the team championship at Huntington Beach, Calif.

"I think this team is just as talented as that one," Ho said. "We just have to stay focused because it's going to be really hard to surf in 1-foot waves with a full wetsuit."

Hayes said it will cost each surfer around $3,500 to make the trip, but sponsors such as Hard Rock Cafe, Macy's and the Hawai'i Amateur Surfing Association helped cover some expenses.

"We're getting a lot of support, and that really inspires the kids to want to do well and represent the state," Hayes said.

Asing said: "I'm proud to be a surfer from Hawai'i, where the sport came from. That's why I really want to do good and make Hawai'i proud."