When Julien Lalanne sees Mauao, he feels like he's home.
It's a sight that has kept the French lifeguard coming back every summer for the past six years.
Lalanne, from Hossegor in France, had been patrolling, training and coaching at Mount Main Beach every summer since 2012 - so it's no wonder he's made the place his home away from home.
"The club here really makes me feel welcomed every summer, the people here are like my family," he said.
The 36-year-old had been a lifeguard for about 20 years and shared his expertise with the club as well as being immersed in the lifestyle.
He was involved with patrolling the beach as well as coaching nippers and racing groups.
"It's so cool to watch the nippers grow up and stay with the club. Some train with me in the senior club now who I used to train six years ago."
Frenchman Julien Lalanne has been with the Mt Maunganui Surf Club for the past six summers. Photo/ Andrew Warner
One of the aspects Lalanne liked about being a lifeguard in New Zealand was seeing how connected the community was to the club as the sport was relatively new in France.
"It's great to see the amount of time the guards, their mums and dads and family put into the sport."
This summer there were 12 other foreign lifeguards volunteering at Mt Maunganui Surf Club who had travelled from Canada, Switzerland, England and France.
"There really is a European family here now which is really cool," Lalanne said.
He said he loved being at home in France but he did miss Mount Maunganui when he was away.
John Bryant, head coach of Mt Maunganui Surf Club, said the club had been taking in international lifeguards for many years now.
"They really add an international flavour. It's great having them here and it's good for us to learn some of their skills too."
He said lifeguarding was a skill that could be used around the world and it was an opportunity for local guards to make some connections.
"When I was overseas guarding I always had a place to stay and someone to get a beer with so it's about making opportunities and going out there and experiencing the world."
What is your favourite thing about being a lifeguard at Mount Maunganui?
The quality of training is really good and it's cool living with people who are into the same things as you. Oh and the iced-chocolates at Sidetrack cafe. Xabi Alcelay, 21, France
