The chance to test themselves against the very best young sailors in the world is an opportunity Sam Barnett and Zak Merton are eagerly looking forward to.
The two 16-year-olds from the Tauranga Yacht and Powerboat Club have been selected in the NZL Yachting Trust Youth Team to compete at the prestigious ISAF Youth Sailing World Championships to be held in Cyprus from July 13-20.
They will then travel to Valencia, Spain, to compete in the Open Men's 420 World Championship.
Tauranga Boys' College student Sam Barnett (Boys 420 helm) and Zak Merton (Boys 420 crew) from Otumoetai College, have sailed together in the 420 class for a year and are part of a nine-strong New Zealand team which is expected to do well in Cyprus.
Merton has been sailing since he was 10-years-old and has the more spectacular role on the boat, strapped to a harness hanging over the side controlling the two front sails.