For the 24th time in 25 years, Mount Maunganui surf lifesaving official Greg Rieger is preparing to officiate at this year’s Oceans Festival.

New Zealand’s biggest junior surf lifesaving event, the Oceans Festival of Junior Surf Lifesaving, runs from February 20 to 23 at Mount Maunganui.

It features 726 young athletes from 48 surf lifesaving clubs.

Competitors will participate in events ranging from beach flags to water rescues, testing their lifesaving skills in a fun but challenging environment.

Surf Life Saving New Zealand veteran Greg Rieger said his passion for the event remains as strong as ever.

“I have only missed one Oceans Festival for my parents’ wedding anniversary,” he said.

“The young people coming to Oceans are the surf lifeguards who will be keeping us safe in the years to come. This is where a lifelong passion starts and where they learn the skills and resilience that will ultimately save lives.”

Over the past 25 years, New Zealand has changed in many ways, but the excitement and energy surrounding the festival remain constant.

Young surf lifesavers from across the country come together to compete, learn, and build connections within the lifesaving community.

For Rieger, surf lifesaving is a family tradition. He, his wife Donna, and their children Hamish, Oliver, Fergus and Eliza-Jane have all been active members of Mount Maunganui’s surf lifesaving community.

His dedication to the sport has been recognised at the highest levels. In 2017, he was named Surf Official of the Year at the Surf Life Saving Awards of Excellence.

More recently, in 2024, he received the Prime Minister’s Scholarship from High Performance Sport New Zealand.

The scholarship supports athletes, coaches, officials and support staff in their educational or professional development while remaining active in sport.

Despite the accolades, it is the community that keeps him involved.

“Who else can say the athletes in their sport also save lives?” he said.

With his jandals ready, Rieger is set to officiate another memorable Oceans Festival, ensuring a new generation of lifeguards continues to develop their skills.