A rookie Mount Maunganui surf lifeguard made an immediate impact just a day into the job after rescuing an ill teenager off the flanks of Mauao yesterday.

Canadian Will Dansereau came to the girl's rescue after qualifying as a surf lifeguard the day before, and has only been in New Zealand for a week.

Canadian lifeguard Will Dansereau helped an ill teenager off the flanks of Mauao yesterday, just a week after arriving in Mount Maunganui. Photo: Jamie Troughton/Dscribe Media Services.

The 19-year-old, alongside fellow lifeguard Andrew Roy, stabilised the teenager before transporting her down to a waiting ambulance at the Mount Maunganui Lifeguard Service.

The incident came five days before the official start of the surf lifesaving patrolling season, with Dansereau joining the Mount club for the next seven months.

Although there's no ocean in his home city of Ottawa, he's been working as a lifeguard since he was 16 and has completed an Advanced Medical First Responder course, as well as working as a volunteer for the St John Ambulance service.

'One of my aims is to become a medic,” says Will, 'and first aid trauma is something I like to focus on, helping people out when they're in trouble.

'I didn't expect to get to use my skills so soon – I'd only just sat my lifeguard award on Sunday and was going through the trauma kits and picking up my patrol uniform when we were called up the Mount.”

The recent high school graduate admits he likes to keep himself busy – he's an avid skydiver with experience in wing suits and loves scuba diving as well as running half marathons.

He joined the Mount club with the intention of not only improving his practical first aid knowledge, but also the sport side of the movement, having trained with the national champion Mount squad under coach John Bryant.

'I didn't really know what was involved in the sport when I first started,” admits Will.

'I thought they used kayaks and surfboards, rather than surf skis and rescue boards. Now I realise the purpose behind the sport and that those craft are designed to help save lives. I've got the bug now.”

Labour Weekend traditionally marks the start of the season in the Bay of Plenty, with voluntary patrols starting on Saturday and running through until Easter.

A number of international lifeguards work and train at the likes of Mount, Omanu and Papamoa over the summer months, with many of working as paid regional guards during the busy December/January stretch.

Will, who wants to eventually serve as a military medic for the Canadian armed forces, is keen to soak up as much as he can.

'The big thing for me now is learning how to handle the surf environment. We don't get waves – aside from two boats passing by – but our biggest issue is currents.

'The surf environment is definitely an obstacle I need to pass but my experience in rescues and confidence in those scenarios will definitely help.

'The same rules apply – make sure you don't become a victim yourself, stay calm and work as a team where possible – and that applies no matter where.”