Surf lifeguards experienced a full weekend with a large number of rescues and assists over the weekend.

A number of people had to be taken to hospital after being rescued, says Surf Lifesaving New Zealand Eastern Region Lifesaving Manager Chaz Gibbons-Campbell.

'A busy day across the eastern region [on Saturday] as the cyclone swells start impacting our shores and hot weather brings people out to the beaches.”

Chaz says that it is a reminder that many of the Volunteer Lifeguard patrols have finished for the season and there are only a few still operating through until Easter weekend.

'Hot Water Beach, Whangamata, Waihi Beach, Mount Maunganui, Omanu and Papamoa will continue to patrol each weekend through until Easter weekend,” says Chaz.

Saturday lifeguard patrol

Tairua/Pauanui SAR team were tasked at 12.10pm on Saturday to Pauanui with reports from Police of two people struggling in a rip current in front of the surf club.

'Off duty lifeguards responded and administered first aid until the Hone Hato St John First Response arrived and took over the management of the patient who was then taken to Auckland Hospital by Westpac Rescue Helicopter in a stable condition,” says Chaz.

'Lifeguards have finished patrolling at Pauanui beach and it was lucky that two members of the public were able to retrieve the two swimmers using bogie boards before lifeguards arrived to provide first aid.”

Ōmanu also had a busy day with three assists for patients who got into difficulty while swimming.

'They tied with Hot Water Beach for the highest headcount of the Eastern Region at 500 people,” says Chaz.

Pāpāmoa called through to report a 13-year-old girl had been feeling faint after suffering a concussion on Friday and taking on some water during her swim on Saturday.

'They requested an ambulance for the girl as her condition was not improving,” says Chaz.

'A second incident came through just after the first reporting, of a 45-year-old male who was pulled out of the water and put in the recovery position.

'He was complaining of a headache and was in 6/10 pain. The ambulance was called and they arrived swiftly first checking the 13-year-old and then moving onto the 45-year-old male. He was status 2 and they both departed in the ambulance.

'The lifeguards were great with their communication and monitoring of the patients.”

Pāpāmoa also conducted a search for a 14-year-old Japanese boy, whose host family lost track of him while at the beach.

'The patient was located safely and reunited with his host family.”

In addition to the two patients who departed in ambulances, Pāpāmoa had a further three rescues and two assists.

Waihī responded to a 27-year-old female who was short of breath and required an ambulance.

'She felt lightheaded and admitted to taking on some water before she was rescued. She was conscious and breathing throughout.”

As well as this rescue, lifeguards at Waihī carried out a further two rescues in the latter part of Saturday afternoon.

On Saturday evening, the Whakatane SAR team were tasked at 19.10pm to a female who had been rescued by surfers at the west end of Ohope Beach.

'She was feeling unwell after swallowing a large amount of water. Lifeguards responded and arrived at the same time as the St John ambulance, very lucky that there were surfers who were able to assist her back to shore.”

Whakatane lifeguards have finished patrolling for the summer season and were not on patrol.

Sunday lifeguard patrol

The eastern region started off early on Sunday with the Mount Maunganui SAR team responding to a medical event at marker 33 on the Mauao.

'The man had been walking up the hill but was found lying unconscious by other walkers,” says Chaz.

'Whilst in the care of the other walkers he was fading in and out but kept breathing. Lifeguards soon located the man and helped him walk down the Mount to the ambulance waiting at Pilot Bay to provide further medical care.”

At Waihī Sunday afternoon was busy for the lifeguards on patrol who rescued four people.

Omanu lifeguards also rescued two people from rips and inshore holes.

Towards the end of their Sunday patrol, Papamoa lifeguards were busy with two rescues and two assists out of rips and inshore holes.

Wainui lifeguards in the Gisborne region rescued two young males off the rocks just before finishing patrol for the day.

'Lifeguards did a great job with large surf conditions and an incoming tide.”

Key Safety messages

Swim Between the Flags - If you are heading out to the beach, choose a lifeguarded one and remember the red and yellow flags show the safest area to swim. Go to www.safeswim.org.nz to find your nearest lifeguarded beach.

3Rs RIP Survival Plan - Rips are a major hazard on New Zealand beaches and can be deadly. Learn the 3Rs Rip Survival Plan – it could save your life! Relax & Float, Raise your hand, Ride the tide.

Talk to Surf Lifeguards - Even though conditions can change quickly, our lifeguards keep a constant eye on the beach situation as they continuously scope the beach for hazards, and keep on top of weather forecasts and understand the swell and tide conditions – they're a friendly bunch too!

Know your Limits - Too many people get into trouble in the water because they simply overestimate their abilities and under-estimate the conditions.

Chaz says lifeguards will be back on patrol this coming weekend at Hot Water Beach, Whangamata, Waihi Beach, Mount Maunganui, Omanu and Papamoa. Weekend patrols at these beaches continues through until Easter weekend.