King says keep an eye on Perkins in ironwoman series

SURF LIFESAVING: Coach Michael King has warned rivals to expect to confront a new and improved Kelly-Ann Perkins this summer.

Perkins - who trains with King's elite Mooloolaba squad - got her season off to a good start when she finished sixth at last month's Coolangatta Gold.

Next week she will contest the World Interclub Championships in Adelaide before returning to the Coast to prepare for the Nutri-Grain Ironwoman Series.

In her series debut last season, the 20-year-old missed an automatic qualifying position for the 2012-13 series by one spot.

But she was elevated into the top-10 qualifying zone when reigning series champion Liz Pluimers withdrew.

"She's pulled up well after the Gold and is looking forward to the worlds and going into the (Nutri-Grain) series," King said.

"I think she's got used to the training and the workload that we do

"I can see that being an advantage, and definitely having some good training partners is really helping her.

"I'm happy where she's at."