Lifesavers' tribute for Hamish Rieger

At 7.30 this morning more than a thousand people lined the waters edge at Mount Maunganui Main Beach in a tribute for Hamish Rieger.

All was quiet on the beach as the surf live saving community said goodbye to their mate.

A squadron of about 13 IRBs led a fly-by across the ocean, taking a special buoy out into the middle of Main Beach with messages from his event guard friends.

After a short address by SLSNZ president Neal Ames athletes, coaches and supporters gathered on the shore observed a minute of silence to remember Hamish and the contribution he made to surf life saving, as well as the contribution the Rieger family continues to make.