Two brothers with the same hobby, in the same competition. It's sibling rivalry at its best.

There's always banter between Tauranga siblings Connor, 16, and Matthew Strong, 19, when they're on their water skis.

Connor Strong with his skiing partner.

'He loves to try to think that he's better than me,” says Connor. Is he? 'Nah,” he laughs. 'I raced him about a month ago and I bet him.”

Connor and Matthew are competing in the Water Ski Racing North Island Series 1 and 2 at Rotorua this weekend.

Not against each other, though. Connor will be racing in the two-up event and the under-19 event, while his older brother will be competing in his age class.

Connor says it's 'pretty cool” to be able to race in the same event as his big brother.

'I don't really get to see him much because he's in the navy. But when we do come together I see him every time we go skiing.”

Matthew is a hydrographer in the Royal New Zealand Navy and is returning to the Bay this weekend for the competition.

In the two-up event, Connor will race with good friend Max Duckworth from Taupo. In the solo under-19 event, Connor will be behind his dad's boat, which is sponsored by Yamaha Marine Racing.

He'll be reaching speeds of about 85mph on water skis. What does that feel like?

'There's so much adrenaline pumping through your body,” says Connor. 'You have to try to stay focussed. Ever since a young age I've been loving the adrenaline.”

There's no tricks; it's all about the speed, says Connor. 'You've got to get around the course in a certain amount of time and first over the finish line wins.”

'You've got to be physically fit and strong. Because after 25 minutes it starts to hurt.”

Connor and Matthew have been skiing since age 8. Connor has skied all throughout New Zealand, as well as Australia.

A couple of years ago, Connor was NZ number one for under 13s and this year represented NZ in Australia. He's represented NZ five times so far. 'It's pretty cool to represent your country for water skiing.”

The first and second rounds of the North Island series run at different venues throughout the North Island.

The Water Ski Racing North Island Series 1 and 2 are at Sulphur Point, Rotorua, on September 26-27. Admission is free.