Eastern region lifeguards continue to prove they are the best in the business, with Mount Maunganui's Cameron Witney the latest to walk away with the highest award when it comes to lifeguarding.

The 20 year-old Lifeguard Service member gained his Advanced Lifeguard Award while attending Surf Life Saving New Zealand's National Lifeguard School in Fitzroy this weekend.

Head Instructor Gavin Mason with Mount Maunganui Lifeguard Service's Cameron Witney. Photo: Supplied.

Of the 16 lifeguards who took part, Cameron gained the top candidate award for the school.

This is the second National Lifeguard School to take place this season due to the overwhelming amount of applications.

The first took place at Whiritoa from December 12-14, 2014 where Whangamata Lifeguard Mitch Jensen was the top candidate.

Surf Life Saving New Zealand member development manager Belinda Slement says the three days at Fitzroy were fantastic and the school had a superior calibre of candidates.

'This was the first school we have had in years where the top candidate could've gone to six possible lifeguards,” says Belinda. 'The candidates really raised the bar when it comes to advanced lifeguarding and showed a high level of fitness and skills.

Belinda says Cam continues a trend out of Mount Maunganui Lifeguard Service; last season's top candidate was Vivian Conway from Mount Maunganui who followed in the footsteps of fellow club member Callum Knox.

Head Instructor Gavin Mason says it was great to have a fantastic team of instructors on board, delivering and teaching their skills and knowledge at the highest level.

'It is a real team effort,” says Gavin, 'which has really shown during this school with the level of skill from the candidates.”

A post on Mount Maunganui Lifeguard Service's Facebook page shows Cam was able to put all his lessons into immediate practice during yesterday's false alarm over a suspected paraglider crash at the Mount.

'24 hours ago Cameron Witney was awarded top candidate at National lifeguard school, tonight he put it all into practice coordinating MMLS lifeguards in an interagency search involving Police, Fire, St Johns and Rescue Helicopter. Well done Cam and all the lifeguards involved,” reads the post.

National Lifeguard Schools are something that lifeguards aspire to. They combine dynamic theory sessions with a number of intensive practical and scenario-based activities extending participants both physically and mentally - honing already advanced skills.

Lifeguards who successfully complete a National Lifeguard School with all the required prerequisites are then awarded their Advanced Lifeguard Award - the highest award for surf lifeguards in New Zealand.