Mount Maunganui lifeguard Hamish Rieger. Photo/Jamie Troughton, Dscribe Media
A Mount Maunganui lifeguard who lost his life spent his last day looking after beachgoers and had helped a 5-year-old child just hours before he died.
Hamish Rieger, 17, would have been starting his final year at Mount Maunganui College next month, but the young man was swept off the rocks near the blowhole at Moturiki (Leisure) Island by a wave on Saturday evening.
He's a universally liked guy and there was never a dull moment with him around ... he was just that guy you could trust to find the bright side of a situation.
On Saturday, just hours before his death, Hamish was out on patrol when he treated a 5-year-old child who had been stung by a bluebottle jellyfish.
Jamie Troughton, spokesman for the Rieger family, said Hamish did a full day's patrol on Saturday.
"[He's] the most outgoing and energetic person I've ever met," he said.
"He's a universally liked guy and there was never a dull moment with him around ... he was just that guy you could trust to find the bright side of a situation."
Another friend, who did not want to be named, said he was "pretty devastated" about the loss of a mate he'd known since primary school. "Things haven't sunken in yet. It's unreal.
"He was a bit of a fitness freak, really. For the past two years he's been on this massive buzz and running and stuff like that. He did surf lifesaving but he didn't compete.
"As a senior he just volunteered at every event which I think is pretty massive. That's something that we'll always remember Hamish for is that he was the biggest volunteer, he always lent a hand."
Hamish went to Mount Primary School before moving on to Mount Intermediate and then Mount College.
"Hamish was just real happy and always loved a good laugh, he was always wanting to make other people laugh as well. He could laugh at just about anything - no matter how bad the situation got Hamish would find a silver lining, he was a pretty happy camper."
The Mt Manganui Lifeguard Service has paid tribute to Hamish on Facebook, writing "it's with aching, weeping hearts we farewell one of our members, Hamish Rieger, who was swept off rocks on Moturiki Island last night".
"Our beautiful ocean can be a cruel mistress but at least she gave Hamish back to us today. To the Rieger clan, who have contributed so much to our club and our movement over the years, we offer our total, unconditional love and support ..."
A Givealittle page has been set up to support his family.