Over summer, voluntary weekend patrols will operate at the region's 19 surf clubs.
Local clubs starting patrols this weekend include Waihi Beach, Mount Maunganui, Omanu, Papamoa and Whakatane, although Eastern Region lifesaving manager Leigh Sefton explained lifeguards have already spent months getting ready.
"Most of our lifeguards spend all winter building up for the next season, whether it be swim or craft training, improving their first aid knowledge or practicing and improving their IRB skills," Sefton said in a statement.
"We've seen a great uptake in lifeguards using the Zespri-funded education, including leadership development, which will directly impact our beach-going public this summer. It means our lifeguards will be better-placed to identify dangers, to manage the public and respond to emergencies where required."
As well as the funding for ongoing lifeguard education, Zespri also contributes a donation to the region's clubs of the year, with Whangamata (Coromandel), Mount Maunganui (Bay of Plenty) and Waikanae (Gisborne) picking up the inaugural awards.