Online dating site RSVP selected the 33-year-old from Cairnlea as the state finalist, saying he ticked all the boxes in what women want from a tradie.

"A strong, fit physique, a cheeky smile, a good Aussie sense of humour - and the bonus of being able to fix things around the house," RSVP spokeswoman Lija Jarvis said.

But the shy finalist, who was still unsure of just who had entered him in the competition, said he didn't understand what the fuss was about.

"I'm the oldest guy in the competition apparently; I'm an old man," Mr Zabieglik said.

"I'm very shy. This is so out of the ordinary for me. I can't stand in front of people and talk, and if I'm at a bar and there's a girl who gives me the eye, I walk away."

The surfer, who spends his weekends down the coast and regularly travels to Indonesia to catch some big waves, recently split from his girlfriend of eight years.

Despite the break-up, Mr Zabieglik still believes in love and says he hoped he would meet "the one".

"My ideal woman would be a nice, honest girl, with no games; just affectionate and caring.

"I keep to myself, work every week and surf on the weekends; that's my life, I'm just trying to stay happy."

Mr Zabieglik, who recently built his own house, also keeps busy doing gardening and keeping the place tidy.

"I don't sit down or watch TV and I don't take a break until an hour before I go to bed," he said.

His father, Richard, who took his son under his wing when he entered the trade 17 years ago, said he had not met a better tradesman.

"I've been in the building trade all my life and he does the same work I do; he's a top tradesman."

Mr Zabieglik will be flown to Sydney to compete in the grand final on February 24 for a chance to take home the title and prizes including a new ute.