Surf lifeguards patrolling beaches over the weekend performed 11 rescues nationwide, a sharp drop from the 65 rescues the previous weekend.

However, Surf Life Saving New Zealand (SLSNZ) said the decrease does not reflect safer conditions, but rather a strong focus on proactive lifeguarding as thousands flocked to beaches in humid, hot weather across Northland, Auckland, and the Bay of Plenty.

Nationally, lifeguards also carried out 18 assists to safety, administered 27 first aids, completed 400 preventative actions, and participated in two searches.

Bay of Plenty: Early patrols and mass rescue

Volunteer patrols in the Bay of Plenty began a week early because of dangerous rip currents and high visitor numbers, SLNZ said.

“This decision proved vital when Mount Maunganui lifeguards conducted an after-hours mass rescue of four people caught in a rip.”

SLNZ said the Paid Lifeguard Service at Mount Maunganui also started ahead of schedule.

Lifeguards supported the Mount Monster endurance race, and at Whiritoa, two lifeguards set up an observational patrol after a road closure increased beach traffic and helped three people within the first hour.

The weekend’s operations included:

Saturday:

-Surf lifeguards at Omanu assisted a patient who injured their knee, providing medical assistance until an ambulance arrived to transport the patient to hospital.

-Two surf lifeguards at Whiritoa took the initiative to set up an observational patrol following a road closure to Whangamatā and increased beach numbers. Within the first hour of patrol, they had assisted three people to safety.

-Lifeguards at Mount Maunganui dealt with a minor first aid after hours, needing lifeguards to ensure patrol was open for an extra hour. During that time lifeguards were alerted to four people in trouble, and conducted a mass rescue, returning all four to shore safely.

-Wellington-Kapiti and Manawatu SAR were tasked by Police for a potential patient in distress in Raumati South. The squads conducted multiple shoreline and in and out searches, assisting Police and Coastguard, until they were later stood down when nothing was found.

-The Nelson Sarex continued into Saturday, the Nelson Search & Rescue squad working alongside police before the exercise was wrapped up just after midday.

-Surf lifeguards at St Clair provided first aid to a patient with a large cut on their hand, providing initial first aid before the patient was transported to urgent care by private vehicle.

Sunday:

-Lifeguards at Mt Manganui provided first aid support to a 73-year-old woman who had a fall on Mauao and had a suspected broken wrist. Surf lifeguards provided pain relief and transported the patient down the mountain to meet an awaiting ambulance.

Key Statistics

Rescues: 11 (Northern: 0, Eastern: 5, Central: 6, Southern: 0)

Assists: 18

Major First Aids: 4

Minor First Aids: 23

Preventative Actions: 400 (impacting 6,487 people)

Peak Head Count: 13,014 beachgoers

Hours Worked: 5189

SLSNZ lifesaving general manager Andy Kent said conditions remain challenging.

“While there were fewer rescues, this isn’t indicative of more relaxed conditions.

“Lifeguards have been proactive to reduce risk, including starting patrols early in the Bay of Plenty. Their willingness to go above and beyond keeps our beaches safe.”

Beachgoers are urged to use Safe Swim to check conditions and confirm patrolled beaches.