Whangamata lifeguard Mitch Jensen has achieved the highest award when it comes to lifeguarding in New Zealand.

The 21 year-old gained his Advanced Lifeguard Award while attending Surf Life Saving NZ's National Lifeguard School held in Whiritoa over the weekend.

Whangamata lifeguard Mitch Jensen gained the Advanced Lifeguard Award – lifeguarding's highest award – over the weekend. Photo: Whangamata Surf Lifesaving Club

SLSNZ member development manager Belinda Slement says of the 18 lifeguards who took part in the lifeguard school Mitch gained the top candidate award.

The standard of candidates was excellent this year and they all demonstrated a high standard of lifeguard skills and elements; from rock navigations, helicopter operations, advanced IRB skills and scenarios.

Belinda says gaining the advanced award through the school is a big deal amongst lifeguards and finishing as the top candidate of the school is a real honour.

'Mitch showed a high competence and skill level throughout all elements of the school, even with a storm rolling through Whiritoa on the Saturday night,” she says. 'Which made the surf conditions particularly challenging on the Sunday.”

National Lifeguard Schools combine dynamic theory sessions with a number of intensive practical and scenario based activities, extending participants physically and mentally top hone their skills.

Those who successfully complete the lifeguard school with all the required prerequisites are then awarded their Advanced Lifeguard Award.

This year, due to the overwhelming amount of applications, SLSNZ chose to undertake two National Lifeguard Schools, with the next taking place at Fitzroy in Taranaki from February 13 to 15, 2015.

For more information about the National Lifeguard School click here.

Whangamata lifeguard Mitch Jensen (left) with with Head Instructor Gavin Mason. Photo: Supplied