When your name originates from one of the tribal waka of Aotearoa, it makes sense that you'd have an affinity to the water – and Tainui Kaihau certainly loves the water, just ask his mother Hinetu Kaihau.

Tainui, 17, will take part in today's Mount Monster. Last year he was too young to enter the full race but this year the youngster will line up alongside the other Open Men competitors.

Tainui Kaihau (right front) in action at last year's Mount Monster. Photo Tracy Hardy.

Originally from Otaki, his family moved to Aussie about 10 years ago.

Tainui returned to New Zealand to attend secondary school in Palmerston North, something which surprised his mother.

'Both him and sister [Grace] took up surf when we moved to the Sunshine Coast and we were living on the beachfront there and everyone was off into nippers really early,” says Hinetu.

'Because the kids straight away took to the water, we thought they should go and learn some skills.

'He's always loved the water, we were surprised when he said he wanted to come back to NZ and go to boarding school here because Palmerston North is a long way from the beach; and we knew how much he loved it.”

When SunLive caught up with the youngster he was halfway through a one-hour pool session in Taupo. His mother Hinetu says her son has been training hard for this year's event and is motivated to do well but wants to come into the event 'under the radar”.

'He's very unassuming and he's actually been surprising quite a few people in Aussie with his results this year.”

His results have been impressive. He finished third in the Under-19 Coolangatta Gold race in October. His time of three hours, 17 minutes and 43 seconds was just seven minutes behind the winner.

Although the Ngati Raukawa descendant has competed for Orewa since his move from Australia, Tainui will race for Mount Maunganui during the upcoming NZ season.

Tainui is the first to admit when he raced last year he hadn't prepared well for the event.

'I did Under-19 but I didn't do much training. I did like just a few months training because I was at boarding school. I did pretty bad [at the race] to be honest.

'Hopefully I can come back this year after a good year of training.”

When it comes to the venue, if you were to design an event that showcased Mount Maunganui to the world, a 25km coastal adventure through water, off rocks and across the glittering white-sand beaches would fit the bill nicely.

The course starts and finishes on Mount Main Beach, featuring a 5km beach run, a spectacular swim leg which includes a jump off Moturiki Island's blowhole, a 12km ski leg to Omanu and a 6km board paddle. Racing gets underway at 10am on Saturday.