Cawte, who is in the under-19 category, has spent the past 11 weeks racing and training in Europe. He's raced at two World Cups and will head straight to South Africa where he and Hamilton will share racing and riding experiences. Last Thursday, Hamilton returned from a month in Canada where he rode in Whistler and raced at Mont-Sainte-Anne.
Hamilton works on the Extreme Freefall at Agroventures but says it's the downhill that is the more extreme.
Descend Rotorua vice-president Dave Rose said funding riders to compete internationally was what the club was initially set up for.
"The sole purpose of Descend was to hold events for riders to develop and support riders in their endeavours to compete internationally," Rose said.
"This is us doing what we can. We're hoping for some good things from them - it's good to see two riders from such a small club get through to the world stage."
Hamilton said the South African course is the longest track on the World Cup circuit at around five minutes, compared with the three to four minute range. "Riding in Whistler was a big learning experience. I've come back with more motivation and looking at that next level."
