KEY POINTS:
A Mount Maunganui team of auditors, lawyers and financial planners has been turning heads at surf carnivals around the North Island this summer.
Chelan Garnham, Suzanna Wood, Michelle Olsen, and Donna Brodie represented Mt Maunganui at the Whangamata Surf Boat Spectacular yesterday and despite being newcomers to the sport they are quickly earning a reputation as a force to be reckoned with.
They formed the team when Ms Brodie was talked into it by Ms Garnham - her boss at KPMG Tauranga, which also sponsors them.
"I got roped into it midway through last season so am pretty new to it," Ms Brodie said.
Ms Wood joined because she wanted to strengthen her swimming for triathalons and Ms Olsen just walked up to the surf club.
Their occupations definitely aroused attention and may even have led to some of their rivals underestimating them. "I guess it's a talking point, even our own club mocks us."
Ms Bodie said there were a lot of nerves before their first contest where they were firm underdogs. "We were first in the long course and second in the short ... so we thought we would train a bit harder and it went from there."
Ms Wood told the Herald the secret to their success so far was the fact they were all great mates.
"I think our biggest strength is we get along so well. If you listen to all the other crews you can hear a lot of talk but we're quite quiet. The guys think we must be able to communicate without talking," she laughed.
Not that winning is their biggest motivation.
"It's never really been about winning, more having fun. I think when the pressure is on that's when you make mistakes," she said.
During the season they have three training sessions on the water as well as some weights and keeping fit throughout the year. Their season continues when the Trillian Trust surf boat series resumes in Waihi early next month.
