Hot young Northland surfers are being encouraged to test their skills by trying out for the Northland Surfing Scholastics team. A series of three competitions is being held across Northland to find the best student surfers to go to the national champs in October.

The first competition will be held at Sandy Bay this Sunday. The series continues at Shipwreck Bay in the Far North on May 23 and Mangawhai on June 20.

The surfers will be picked based on their best two results in the regional events, plus their national competition ratings.

Divisions include under-14, under-16 and under-18 for both boys and girls, under-18 bodyboarding and under-18 longboarding.

The regional competitions are a new format, because the nationals are being held later this year.

Helper Mal Egginton from Tutukaka Surf Co says the series gives young surfers a chance to compete in different parts of the region and meet new friends.

Contenders for the Northland team include the Scott-Arrieta brothers from Sandy Bay.

Patxi recently finished third in the Hyundai National Surfing Championships in the under-16 boys division.

Younger brother Manu has been chosen to represent New Zealand in the under-12 division in the Billabong Grom Comp in Australia in July.

Entry forms are available online at www.sport northland.co.nz under secondary school events.