Freeskating siblings getting ready to roll

Freeskating pair New Plymouth's Codey and Lydia Hinz will be a highlight of the New Zealand National Rollerskating Championships in Wanganui next week. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

New Zealand's top skaters roll into Wanganui next week for the 2013 New Zealand National Roller Skating Championships.

Spectators are in for a treat with a freeskating pairs team featuring for the first time in many years.

This event involves lifts and spins, which are both difficult and dangerous - and the skaters are aged just 14 and 11.

New Plymouth-based brother and sister team Codey and Lydia Hinz have been skating for just two years and what they have achieved is beyond expectation.

Codey, Lydia and 16-year-old brother Kieran started in the New Plymouth Skating Club's Early Bird Learn to Skate class in 2011. Their mother, Tania, also skates roller derby, roller hockey and figure skating and their father has learned to skate and has had a go at roller hockey.

Lydia, Codey and Kieran entered their first competition in 2011 and were encouraged last year to qualify to represent the lower North Island at this year's National Championships.

With that in mind, mum Tania started Codey (14) and Lydia (11) off in freeskating pairs for a fun event at their 2012 club champs.

While she had no experience in coaching free pairs - she had experience of rock and roll lifts and spent a lot of time researching items on the internet. After a successful outing at the Central Districts League in Palmerston North last November skating to Barbie Girl and lots of positive feedback they decided to try for the New Zealand Championships. Their routine was changed from a fun pairs to one with the necessary requirements to compete at national level.

They qualified for a place at the nationals in July at the Area Championships (lower North Island champs) in Wanganui.

While they have no competition in freeskating pairs, they hope to be the best they can be and encourage others to follow their lead.

Codey has also qualified in the solo events of Novice Mens Freeskating, Novice Mens Figures and Novice Solo Dance.

Lydia and Kieran will also compete in solo freeskating events.

The Hinz siblings are two of eight skaters from the New Plymouth club - the most the club has had qualify for many years. The youngest is eight years old and skating primary boys and the oldest a great grandmother skating in the Esquire grade.

The nationals starts with training on Monday, September 30 and conclude the following Saturday afternoon.

Skaters from tiny tots to retirees, novice to world class, will take to the floor to compete for the national title in their event.

Entry is free, and Codey and Lydia will compete their free pairs event on Friday, October 4, in the late afternoon.