Nearly 40 years ago Iain Gulliford picked up his skipper's ticket and was able to fulfil his childhood dreams.

What might be New Zealand's most sought after number plates - BUGGER - has been sold for $34,100 on Trade Me this morning.

Onlookers have spoken of the frantic search for a kayaker knocked from his craft in crashing, 2m waves at an Auckland beach.

The body of an Auckland man was pulled from rough surf at Muriwai Beach yesterday after he was knocked from his kayak.

A fundraising effort will see rights to the personalised plate BUGGER auctioned off to the highest bidder next month.

Olivia Corrin was the sensation of the just-held national surf lifesaving championships at her home club Midway where she won 10 gold medals.

Max Beattie claimed his third New Zealand ironman title in familiar style at the national surf lifesaving championships in Gisborne yesterday.

Auckland's volunteer surf lifeguards are raising their hands for help - up to eight facilities need improvement over the next decade, says Surf Life Saving Northern Region.

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.

Mt Maunganui surf lifesavers say they will keep looking for Jack Dixon "for as long as it takes" despite no sign of the missing boy for a week.

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.

Scott Martlew hasn't let the loss of a leg stop him doing what he loves.The 21-year-old surf canoeist will compete in the national surf lifesaving championships, which started at Ohope Beach.

Mitch Cowdrey has already tasted victory in a highly competitive battle of sibling rivalry but now he has bigger goals in mind.