One person has been flown to hospital following a water incident at Waihī Beach.

'We were notified at 12.53pm that two people had been pulled from the water and were on land,” says Surf Lifesaving New Zealand Eastern Region Lifesaving Manager Chaz Gibbons-Campbell.

'One person is status 2 and on their way by helicopter to hospital.”

Surf lifeguard patrols are no longer operating during the week in the Bay of Plenty although there are volunteer patrols at some of the beaches on the weekends up until Easter.

'We activated our call-out squad to provide assistance as we didn't know when the ambulance was arriving.”

Chaz says Waihī Beach, like much of the beach along the Mount Maunganui area, has a lot of holes and troughs out in the water, 'and is quite rippy”.

'There is a lot of energy in the waves causing the water to move around,” says Chaz.

He says the two cyclones off the coast at the moment are generating significant swell, and also creating a lot of energy in the waves.

'It makes for very good surfing but there's a lot of water moving around.”

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