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Kiwifruit exporter Zespri is to contribute $400,000 over the next three years to Surf Life Saving New Zealand in Bay of Plenty help make local beaches safer.

The sponsorship, which will benefit 19 clubs, is a way for Zespri and the kiwifruit industry to give back to the region which supported them so strongly during the dark days of the vine disease Psa-V says Zespri Chief Operating Officer Simon Limmer, who announced the sponsorship last night.

Lifeguards Perry Farrell (left) and Vivian Conway take students from Te Puna School through beach education at Mount Maunganui's Main Beach. Photo: Jamie Troughton/Dscribe Media Services

Surf lifesaving clubs and their members in Bay of Plenty, Coromandel and Gisborne will benefit from free lifesaving training for local lifeguards which typically cost hundreds of dollars, the expense of which has until now been borne by individual lifeguards and clubs.

Simon says around 85 per cent of Zespri Kiwifruit is grown in these regions and they were also the ones most affected when Psa-V threatened to destroy the industry.

'The kiwifruit industry went through a roller-coaster of the ride from 2011 to 2013 and it was these communities which supported us.

'The good news is the industry today is even more profitable and now it's time to give back.”

Maketu's Mark Redmond will be attending Surf Life Saving's National Lifeguard School in Whangamata this weekend. Photo: Jamie Troughton/Dscribe Media Services

While the Zespri brand isn't well known in New Zealand, it's among the most recognized fruit brands in the world.

'Zespri's brand value is very much around vitality and that is an excellent fit with surf lifesaving.”

Zespri board vice-chairman Bruce Cameron says when the sponsorship proposal was put to the board, it took just minutes to approve and he believes the majority of growers will support the move.

'Our beaches are very much a part of our lifestyle and where we play.”

Paul Dalton, chief executive of Surf Life Saving New Zealand says Zespri's sponsorship offers a great opportunity for lifeguards and for a long-term relationship between the two organisations.

Paul Dalton, chief executive of Surf Life Saving New Zealand and Zespri Chief Operating Officer Simon Limmer at last night's launch of Zespri's sponsorship. Photo: Elaine Fisher.

'This is all about giving back to the community and making our beaches safer. Reducing drowning makes a real difference, as does making our beaches safe and enjoyable.”

Surf Life Saving New Zealand Eastern Region Manager Chris Emmett says that with 1200 lifeguards from the 19 clubs in this region, offering training at no cost to participants will make a huge difference to beach safety.

Training courses typically cost hundreds of dollars and the cost has until now been borne by individual lifeguards and clubs.

'We rely on the support of our partners to do what we do. In a typical season, lifeguards rescue 1,200 people nationwide and prevent thousands more from getting to the point of needing rescue in the first place so this support will literally help us save lives.”

As the first step in the sponsorship, representatives from clubs from the Coromandel to Opotiki were presented with Zespri branded recuse tubes at the launch last night.

As the primary regional partner for Surf Life Saving New Zealand in the Bay of Plenty, Zespri will provide free training opportunities for all local lifeguards in the Eastern Region over the next three years, as well as providing rescue tubes and additional equipment to the Zespri Clubs of Year.

'Surf lifeguards save around 450 lives a year in our region and provide a vital service to the families who live and work in our regions,” says Simon.

Zespri will contribute $400,000 over three years to this initiative in the Eastern Region, as well as supporting Surf Life Saving New Zealand as a National Partner.

The free training on offer to Eastern Region lifeguards includes inflatable rescue boat (IRB) training, Patrol Captain and Intermediate Lifeguard courses. A number of scholarships will also be available for Surf Life Saving's National Lifeguard School and BP Leaders for Life development programmes.

Winners of the Zespri Club of the Year will also receive additional lifesaving equipment, with $5000 of equipment going to each of the three winning clubs across the Bay of Plenty, Coromandel and Gisborne.

Chris Emmett says the partnership will have a real impact on the training and development of lifeguards and will enable Surf Life Saving in the Eastern Region to provide a better service to the local community, including many of those involved in the kiwifruit industry.

'With Zespri's strong presence in the region, it's great to know that their support will have such a direct impact.”