For the first time in a long time, the weekend weather is looking like summer.

Although some respite from the severe weather is fast approaching, Surf Life Saving New Zealand lifesaving manager Chaz Gibbons-Campbell says there are currently extra things to look out for when taking a dip.

Cyclone Gabrielle has battered beaches across the Eastern Region. As a result, Chaz says some beaches sand dunes have changed, and the water quality is a mixed bag across the North Island.

What's open?

The good news is as of yesterday afternoon, Surf Life Saving determined the water quality was good enough to allow people to swim in Mount Maunganui, Omanu and Pāpāmoa.

'What we're finding is some beaches are fine but some are clearly polluted. Right now if you go down to Maketu or Pukehina, they have a lot of farm run off coming down into their streams,” says Chaz.

'But the mount coast has cleared up a lot, so the flags are up and people are able to swim out here, so we'll be good to go unless the council does testing and says we're polluted.”

This means people are able to swim in these areas, and are finally able to make the most of some Bay of Plenty sunshine.

Surf Life Saving New Zealand eastern region lifesaving manager Chaz Gibbons-Campbell. Photo: File/SunLive.

Watch out for sand dune drop offs

Although the beaches around Tauranga are now open, Chaz says they have been 'chopped up big time” and people should be cautious.

'There are a lot of big dune drop offs after the cyclone. For example at Pauanui there is about a three to four metre high drop.

'We ask people to not climb on these dunes or dig into them, as it has the risk of sand collapsing onto people.

Debris and big logs

'There are also a lot of big logs still around the place. Lifeguards will be keeping an eye out for any hazards, but in case some people are swimming in an area where there are no lifeguards, they should take extra caution.

'There is still some debris out and people should be aware of that.”

What happened during the cyclone?

'From when the cyclone hit us, all of the beaches were closed right from the Coromandel all the way down the eastern region.

'Most people were really good. We had a few keen surfers who tried to get out and enjoy themselves. Most people in the bay here didn't need any assistance.

'But we did get reports of people up in Hahei getting sucked out to sea on Monday. The lifeguards didn't rescue them as it was too dangerous, but luckily for that surfer his friend was able to get out on a jet ski and help rescue him. By this point he was around near Cooks Beach which is a huge drift.

'We're relatively lucky there were no major rescues.”

The weekend ahead

'Slip, slop, slap and wrap is probably going to be a big one this weekend. I think there will be a lot of people wanting to get out and about after being cooped up for a few days.”

'So hopefully we can see a lot of people out enjoying themselves and bring some positivity after the wet weather!”

To stay safe on the water, Chaz recommends checking out SafeSwim.co.nz, where beach goers can find a list of local hazards, open beaches, and locations of lifeguards on patrol.