They've just completed the Coolangatta Gold, now a pair of Mount Maunganui surf lifesavers are eyeing a similar long-distance race on their home beach.
Hamish Treanor, 18, and Mount Maunganui Lifeguard Service clubmate Sam Shergold, 20, conquered the "Gold" in Queensland, racing from Coolangatta to Surfers Paradise and back.
Treanor finished 17th in the under-19 division over 33km and New Zealand under-20 team member Shergold clocked 4hrs 28mins 17secs for the full 43km open race, finishing 25th against some of the world's top ironmen.
The young Mount Maunganui lifeguards were able to train with former Tauranga ironman Mike Janes, who now coaches the Mermaid Beach club squad on the Gold Coast.
"For three weeks, we lived and breathed surf lifesaving at one of the homes of the sport," Treanor said. "Coming from a New Zealand spring was a bit of a shock but spending the extra time there beforehand really made a big difference, especially with the support and advice we had on tap."