Surfer trades in vest for slinky top in dance contest

Maz Quinn rocking his deep-V blouse.

Kiwi surfing champ Maz Quinn is riding a wave of friendly abuse from his mates for swapping his rash vest for a slinky sequinned top.

The 38-year-old, from Gisborne, admitted he is way out of his comfort zone, squeezing into skin-tight outfits for the new series of TV3's Dancing With the Stars.

"I have been taking a helluva lot of stick off my friends and fellow surfers, who can't stop laughing," he said. "My shirt has a deeper V than most blokes would ever want to be seen in.

"When I turned up at the wardrobe department I was pointed towards a rack for my outfit and to be fair, I was pretty shocked.

"I'd maybe get away with wearing something like that some areas of Auckland, but it would be a no-go anywhere in Gisborne."

Quinn and dancer partner Caryn Lim.

Quinn - a four-time winner of New Zealand's national surfing championships - will pair up with dancer Caryn Lim for the show, which premieres next Sunday night (May 31).

Other celebrity contestants include former Shortland Street actress Teuila Blakely, boxer Shane Cameron, and The Almighty Johnsons star Ben Barrington.

Quinn admitted to having "two left feet" on the dancefloor but is determined his competitive edge will carry him through.

"I haven't tried any ballroom dancing since I was at high school, so this is pretty far out thing for me to do," he said.

"I am doing it because I wanted to challenge myself and I have to win at everything I put my mind to."