800 kids all aged from 10 - 14 compete in the Oceans '15 competition in Mt Maunganui.

As a stricken surfer clung to a cave roof while being buffeted by huge waves, Tai Kahn leaped from a helicopter into the churning seas to save the teen's life.

For more than 50 years, the Eastern Region Surf Lifesaving Championships have been an indelible part of Mark McCarthny's summer.

Matt Boggs' carefully laid plan to propose to his girlfriend at one of her favourite places in Whangamata nearly sank when his old wave ski started taking on water.

Sports fans know about the phenomenal exploits of Brendon McCullum, Lydia Ko and the All Blacks this year. Michael Burgess looks back at 10 other feel-good sports stories that captured the imagination in 2014.

A man has been airlifted to hospital after hurting his back sliding down sand dunes at a West Auckland beach today.

When your job description involves saving lives, you need to be well-equipped.

Police have now officially ended the search for missing 5-year-old Jack Dixon, who was washed out to sea at Mt Maunganui.

As outstanding as New Zealand's retention of its crown was at the world surf lifesaving championships in France this week, it's unlikely to significantly alter the sport's place in the country's sporting pecking order.

New Zealand have retained their world surf lifesaving crown in France.

The surf club guarding one of the country's most dangerous rip-torn beaches says it is losing efficiency and members.

Danielle Wright discovers clubs happy to welcome you in out of the cold.

A surf boat crew will stage a symbolic row down Auckland's North Shore tomorrow, as they prepare for a commemorative international race in Turkey next year.

Surf lifesaving competitor Bronagh Ryan has described the actions of a fellow competitor as "pretty bloody amazing".

Defending ironman champion Max Beattie faces tough opposition as he looks to claim his third consecutive New Zealand surf lifesaving title in the signature race this weekend in Whakatane.

Cooper Halligan wants to make a name for himself, starting this weekend at the New Zealand Surf Lifesaving Championships in Ohope.

Half an hour before Fiona Gooder died while trying to save her foster daughter at a Northland beach, she sent her husband a text saying she "was in paradise".

Surf Life Saving and long-time sponsor DHL are marking their 10-year partnership with a photography exhibition in Auckland which celebrates surf lifesavers' yellow and red uniforms.

A teenage girl caught in a rip had stopped breathing by the time lifeguards plucked her, limp and grey, from the sea.

He's won national titles and represented New Zealand, but Nick Malcolm's latest surf lifesaving achievement tops them all.

More New Zealanders will be given first-aid treatment by lifeguards for injuries such as cut feet and marine stings this summer than rescued from the water, new research shows.

Surf lifesaving clubs up and down the country are preparing for the first day of the season patrolling New Zealand beaches.

Surf lifesavers are launching their summer patrols over Labour Weekend, but a mixed bag of weather could deter some would-be beachgoers from taking a splash.