Matt Sutton will be putting his money where his mouth is when he lines up at this week’s NZCT Surf Life Saving championships in Whakatane.

The Gisborne star will be defending his national ski race title at Ohope Beach on a Sonic ski, having recently taken over the Sonic Surf Craft brand with wife Kylee.

“I guess you could say this is the ultimate in product-testing,” Sutton laughed. “It’s pretty exciting though and it will definitely add a different element to these nationals – we sponsor a number of top New Zealand athletes as well so I guess I’ll be keeping an eye out for their performances even while I’m competing!”

Sonic was started in 2002 by Cory Hutchings, and the Midway coach is still involved in craft design. Sutton took over from another Midway figure, David Taylor, with Sonic currently the largest manufacturer of surf lifesaving craft in the country.

Sutton will take some decent form into the four-day championships, which start on Thursday with the Masters.

The 27-year-old picked up a first and second in the feature ironman races at last month’s Lion Foundation Surf League, adding to the Ian Porteous memorial long distance crown he won earlier in the season.

Sutton made the New Zealand team for last year’s World Games in Taiwan and with the world rescue championships looming in Egypt this year, hopes to continue his momentum.

“I guess all I can do is keep putting the results on the board. I definitely want a big nationals to remind selectors what I’m capable of but I’m also keen to see Midway take out the overall club title for the third year in a row – that would be sweet.”

Midway will have the biggest contingent of athletes at the championships, with the 80-strong lineup adding to the record number of entries.

Sonic will have a stand at the nationals with product on show.

>>View the live results throughout the competition 
>>View the 2010 NZCT New Zealand Championships event page