They've only got a couple of training sessions behind them, but defending national IRB champions Andrew Cronin and James Morwood will add some spice to the second round of the BP Surf Rescue series in Whangamata this weekend.
The event will double as the North Island championships - which thepair from New Plymouth's Eest End club dominated last year - but they've opted to build slowly into a big season for the sport.
They missed the first round of the series in Omaha last month, which was dominated by Muriwai's David Butt and Brent Matuschka and Waimarama's Mike Harman and Ben Cross.
Seasoned Paekakariki pair Brent Harvey and Richard Winham will also compete in the premier division, Brighton's Lance Lungley and Simon Roberts will make the long trip up from Dunedin and the second East End crew, Geoff Cronin and Campbell Begg, should also be very competitive.
The women's division has also been bolstered, with East End's Laura Begg and Kirsty May joining the series for the first time, along with sisters Carla and Stephanie Laughton from St Clair, Dunedin. Sunset Beach - hailing from the mouth of the Waikato River - were a surprise package in the first round with Alana Ibbs and Mal Mcguire impressive, while Ruakaka, Mt Maunganui, Kariaotahi, Otaki, United North Piha and Westshore in Hawke's Bay will also be represented.
Meanwhile, Surf Life Saving New Zealand have announced a change in venues for the 2013 and 2014 Surf Rescue New Zealand championships. Whangamata was to have hosted the 2013 nationals but the date clashes with the Beach Hop music festival. Waipu Cove will now host the championships in 2013, with Whangamata taking it up again in 2014.
