Surf Life Saving New Zealand is marking the 20th year of a junior sporting competition that celebrates lifeguards in the making.

Oceans' 20 is being held at Mount Maunganui Main Beach from Thursday, February 27 to Sunday, March 1.

The event began in 2000 and has grown to become the organisation's largest Surf Life Saving event for junior club members, typically attracting anywhere from 800 to 1000 competitors each year.

The event aims to teach kids important life saving and beach safety skills through sport with the goal of them all becoming qualified surf lifeguards.

It is 'sport with a purpose”, says a SLNZ spokesperson.

The participants, aged 10 to 14, are all lifeguards in training. They are working up the fitness and skills to be a fully qualified Surf Lifeguard at 14 years old.

"Oceans' brings them all together in a fun, safe and competitive environment."