Spectators at the New Zealand inflatable rescue boat championships at Warrington Beach this weekend should not be concerned about having double vision when they see the Mt Maunganui under-21 crew in action.
Kirby and Chad Wheeler (19) are identical twins who take pleasure in causing confusion to surf fans, school teachers and casual acquaintances.
"It is only close mates and family members who can tell us apart," Kirby said.
"We sometimes confuse people deliberately."
The Mt Maunganui twins were the pick of the under-21 division in the national IRB series, winning the single rescue, assembly rescue and mass rescue.
The series was a new concept this season, starting in Omaha, north of Auckland, in mid-November, to give crews more competition before the season-ending national championships.
In yesterday's tube rescue event, the twins, with Sam Roy as their patient, finished fourth in a race won by the Pauanui combination of Spencer Raymond, Jake Smith and Luke Smith.
The twins followed their mates into the sport four years ago at Papamoa. They were pupils at Mt Maunganui College at the time and quickly found they had talent at the sport.
"We like racing, and especially the speed you get when the surf is rough," Kirby said.
"It's more of a challenge then and it makes it more interesting."
The twins enjoy adventure sports and do a lot of recreational water skiing and board surfing in the summer months.
Their passion in the winter is motocross, a sport they have been doing for four years. They had success at the North island secondary schools championships at Ardmore two years ago when Chad finished second and Kirby fifth.
The premier tube rescue race yesterday was won by the East End Black team of Andrew Cronin, James Morwood and Rebecca Busing, while the St Clair Black combination of Carla Laughton, Stephanie Laughton and James Coombes lived up to their favourites tag by winning the women's race.
The surf life-saving championships continue at Warrington Beach from 9am to 4pm today and tomorrow.
