A trio of teenaged tyros have forced their way into the New Zealand Surf Life Saving team after outstanding performances at the NZCT Surf Life Saving Championships in Gisborne at the weekend.

Ironman star Dan Moodie, beach sprinter Chelsea Maples and ski paddler Erin Taylor are among the new faces in a 12-strong New Zealand team to compete at the International Surf Teams Challenge in Bondi at the end of the year.

Maples stunned seasoned observers after the 17-year-old Mount Maunganui lifeguard won the open women’s beach sprint on Friday, before snatching the bronze in a thrilling open women’s board race on Sunday to underline her versatility.

New Zealand head coach John Bryant has watched Maples develop over recent years in his dual role as Mount Maunganui coach, and doesn’t believe she’s too young.

“We’ve been holding her back a little bit but I think she’s now ready to let her push forward,” Bryant said. “It was an easy call really - she proved herself here in Gisborne with her sprinting and board paddling ability.  We’ll work on her flags through winter but I reckon if they’re ready for it, then pick them.”

Westshore’s Moodie, 19, repeated his under-19 and open Ironman double of last year, heading off seasoned champions like Matt Sutton and Glenn Anderson, while Taylor finished second in the open women’s ski after dominating the national kayaking championships in the beginning of March.

They’re joined in the New Zealand team by new cap Kevin Morrison, who came within inches of snatching an historic board and ski race double, defending his board race title and only losing the ski race on the line to Mairangi Bay teammate Travis Mitchell.

Specialist sprinters Paul Cracroft-Wilson (Fitzroy) and Midway’s Rebecca Wright have also made the national team for the first time, after both won the flags title on Saturday and Cracoft-Wilson added his third beach sprint crown.

He replaces triple world champion Morgan Foster, with the 31-year-old South Brighton and national team veteran suffering from a disrupted buildup, after he went through Fire Service recruitment training at the end of last year.

Cracroft-Wilson, meanwhile, has been training at the Northcliffe club in Australia for the last six months, alongside Australian champion Simon Harris.

Most of the New Zealand team are heading for Perth today for this weekend’s Australian National Championships on Scarborough Beach.

Selectors have also named a 26-strong squad to prepare for next year’s world championships in Germany

NZ team for the International Surf Team Challenge from November 30-December 2:

Men: Daniel Moodie (Westshore), Kevin Morrison, Michael Buck (Mairangi Bay), Nathan Henderson (Mount Maunganui), Paul Cracroft-Wilson (Fitzroy), Glenn Anderson (Midway).

Women: Nikki Cox (Westshore), Erin Taylor (Red Beach), Lucy Pengelly (Muriwai), Chelsea Maples, Johanna O’Connor (Mount Maunganui), Rebecca Wright (Midway).

Boat crew: Titahi Bay (Ben Ashby, Deane Ellis, Tim Marsden, Adrian Walding, Paul McVicar).

NZ Squad for 2008 Worlds:

Men:  Daniel Moodie, Callum Joll (Westshore), Nathan Henderson (Mount Maunganui), Paul Cracroft-Wilson (Fitzroy), Kevin Morrison, Michael Buck (Mairangi Bay), Andrew McMillan (St Clair), Steve Kent (Titahi Bay), Ben Willis (New Plymouth), Glenn Anderson, Mike Janes, Matt Sutton (Midway).

Women: Nikki Cox (Westshore), Erin Taylor (Red Beach), Lucy Pengelly (Muriwai), Chelsea Maples, Johanna O’Connor, Holly Moczydlowski (Mount Maunganui), Rebecca Wright (Midway), Ayla Dunlop-Barrett, Jamie-Lee Reynolds (New Plymouth), Natasha Hind, Bella Franks (Lyall Bay), Julia Toomey, Georgina Toomey (Sumner), Madison Boon (Titahi Bay).