New Zealand's best young boatbuilding talent will be on display on the Westhaven foreshore next Saturday, February 20.

The young apprentices and high school students will be competing in the Boating Industry Training Organisation's annual Marine Trades Challenge.

In teams of four, they will build their boats, often to their own design, before heading to the water and racing their new creations around a pre-set course in front of the hundreds of spectators.

It is a test of their design and boatbuilding skills and of their ability to handle a small boat on the water.

The contest attracts teams from all around New Zealand and from across the Tasman (the winner of the equivalent contest in Sydney earns the right to compete here).

This year, 16 marine industry teams from 14 separate companies will take part, several having already held internal competitions before selecting their best team.

While most of the teams are from Auckland-based companies, this year's competitors will also include participants from Whangarei, New Plymouth, Tauranga, Napier, Whitianga. Teams from three schools: Glenfield College, Mercury Bay Area School and Tamatea College in Napier, will also take part, competing in their own division.

"The Marine Trades Challenge is a great opportunity for the students to interact with boatbuilding apprentices and meet members of the boatbuilding industry," says Mike Birdsall, BITO field officer and MTC organiser.

"Last year some of the students taking part so impressed the actual boatbuilders that they were offered jobs; those students are back this year, as full-blown apprentices!"

The teams will have two hours to build their boats from timber and equipment supplied by the organisers. They will then have to row, sail and motor their entries around a specially set course.

"It's a great sight," says Mike Birdsall."The tide will be in and there will literally be hundreds of friends, family and supporters lining the beach and Westhaven Drive to watch the action."

Mike Birdsall says members of the public are welcome to watch the contest>

"There is no entry fee, it is easy to get close to the action (both on and off the water) and there is plenty of parking close by."

What: The Marine Trades Challenge. Where: St Mary's Bay, off Westhaven Drive. When: February 20 Timetable: Building starts at 9.45, on water heats at 12.30; on water final at 1.30; prize giving at 3pm.