Kai Iwi Beach lifeguard tower open this Saturday

A new lifeguard watchtower at Kai Iwi beach will be officially opened this Saturday. Photo/ Lewis Gardner

Surf patrols begin at Castlecliff and Kai Iwi beaches this weekend.

And the lifeguards on duty will be there in a bit more comfort with construction of a lifeguard watchtower completed in time for the new season.

An official opening of the tower and the season is being held at Kai Iwi beach this Saturday with a Mitre 10 bbq from 10.30am.

"The main purpose of the tower is to protect out lifeguards and also as a base for our communications between the two beaches," Whanganui Surf Lifeguard Service member Matthew Newell said.

"It doesn't matter what the weather is, our guards have to be there but obviously when people are swimming we're down at the water."

Mitre 10 Mega Wanganui was a major sponsor of the tower along with many Whanganui businesses and Mr Newell himself has been building it in recent months.

He said the ground was levelled for its construction about two decades ago.

"It's been in the pipeline for 20 years, it's just never got the kickstart it needed," Mr Newell said.

At Saturday's opening there will be a sausage sizzle and drinks available for a gold coin donation which will go to support the Whanganui Surf Lifeguard Service.

"There will also be a new boat on display and also one of the boats doing a bit of a demonstration in the sea," Mr Newell said.

Patrols will run from 12pm to 6pm until the end of February.