They're part of a new wave of lifeguarding talent hitting Bay of Plenty beaches and Mitch Cowdrey and Isaac Marshall have been hard at work, harnessing their skills before the patrolling season officially starts this weekend.
The pair have been given an additional boost by Zespri, with the kiwifruit marketing giant coming on board as sponsors for Surf Life Saving New Zealand's Eastern Region, which includes Coromandel, Bay of Plenty and Gisborne.
In a statement released today, Zespri announced it has funded education for 180 Eastern Region lifeguards, with Cowdrey, 16, and 17-year-old Marshall joining 43 others on a recent IRB development weekend in Raglan.
"It was good just getting to train in some swell, as over here, we don't get swell nearly as often as the West Coast," Mount Maunganui's Marshall said.
"To get out in some proper waves and to be challenged was really helpful - it means I'm more practical and I can be useful in way more situations when I'm patrolling this summer."