It's a good thing Max Beattie likes a challenge - the 20-year-old Omanu surf lifesaver has a few of them looming this weekend.
The Gold Coast-based 20-year-old, a member of the New Zealand development team, will have to combat dirty weather, a rising star and nearly eight years of inclement history when he competes in the Pak'N Save Omanu Classic carnival at his home club.
With heavy rain forecast for tomorrow, organisers are likely to postpone the Classic until Sunday, with clearing weather expected for the start of the New Year.
The feature race of the $2000 carnival is the Ian Porteous Memorial Ironman, with its distinctive 'M' shaped course, and there hasn't been an Omanu winner since Mark Muir in 2004.
Beattie was raised in Australia but has family here and has raced at the Omanu Classic for the past six years. He also competed at the national trial in Whangamata the week before Christmas, relishing the chance to race the top locals.
"There are a couple of guys missing but it's always good to come over and race the likes of Cory Taylor," Beattie said. "He's probably the best of the New Zealand-based guys my age at the moment."
Taylor, from Gisborne's Midway club, won the Ian Porteous Memorial race last year as a 17-year-old and is likely to return and defend his title. New Zealand star Nikki Cox (Westshore) is also expected to attend.
Ian Porteous was an Omanu stalwart who died suddenly in 1995, a day before the club's annual long-distance carnival. His great mate and fellow clubbie Denny Enright decided the 1996 event would be an ideal tribute and the event has grown since then.
The Omanu Classic is a fast-paced afternoon carnival with $2000 worth of prizes on offer. It features a full range of water events, a Zeytin-sponsored IRB series and a Mount Mellick-sponsored surf boat series.
Another Omanu local, 19-year-old Dan Hooker, has been flatting with Beattie on the Gold Coast and training at the Northcliffe club for the last six months.
"It's been awesome, being able to train in the warm water and alongside the best ironmen in the world," Hooker, who moved to Queensland in June, said.
There are some impressive names on the Ian Porteous Trophy, with Aaron Jarman, Cory Hutchings, Andrew Newton and Matt Sutton all having tasted success.
Jarman (1995 and 1996) and Sutton (2006 and 2009) join 1998 and 2008 winner Damian Munro as the only double winners.
The surf boats will be using the racing to prepare for the next round of the national series in Whangamata on January 2, while the carnival will be ideal preparation for surf athletes getting ready for a busy January.
Racing gets under way at 12.15pm, with spectators and supporters warmly welcomed.