Madill faces first international in Japan | Bay of Plenty Sport | Surfing, Rugby, Soccer, Football, Cricket in Bay of Plenty

Tauranga surf lifesaver Katrina Madill is getting her first taste of international competition this weekend at the Sanyo Bussan carnival in Japan.

The 19-year-old has been training hard with Mount coach John Bryant throughout winter, as well as braving freezing conditions in Wellington where she's based at university.

Another Tauranga local, Mike Janes, has also made the trip, in what is essentially a New Zealand development team.

Ironman Janes, the reigning national board race champion, will spearhead the team, with Gisborne teenagers Toby Harris and Cory Taylor, and Taranaki's Dylan Dunlop-Barrett, who recently starred at the Oceania swimming championships.

Mairangi Bay ironwoman Madison Boon is a past national team member, Piha's Kirsty Wannan has a swimming background while Madill dominated the under-19 age group at this year's national championships.

The Sanyo Bussan competition has a heavy emphasis on beach events, with New Zealand receiving an invitation from organisers earlier this year.

NZ team:

Toby Harris (Wainui), Cory Taylor (Midway), Katrina Madill (Mount Maunganui), Kirsty Wannan (Piha), Dylan Dunlop-Barrett (New Plymouth Old Boys), Mike Janes (Midway), Madison Boon (Mairangi Bay), Chanel Hickman (South Brighton).