Eastern Region surf lifeguards are preparing for a surge in incidents over the coming weeks, with rescue numbers already more than triple those of the same period last year.

Surf Life Saving NZ Eastern Region lifesaving manager Chaz Gibbons‑Campbell said a key concern was the high number of beachgoers choosing not to swim between the flags.

Since October 25, lifeguards across the region have carried out 69 rescues.

This included 11 rescues by Mount Maunganui lifeguards on November 22 — mostly along the main beach — as well as several at Tay St.

This compared with just 17 rescues, 59 assists, and 13 major first‑aid callouts over the same period last year, signalling a sharp rise heading into the peak holiday season.

Gibbons‑Campbell said Whangamatā lifeguards also completed two rescues during this time, and on November 8 and 9, lifeguards at Pāpāmoa Beach performed three rescues.

Across the region, lifeguards have assisted 83 people from the water and responded to 21 major first‑aid incidents, including attending to a person who suffered a seizure in front of the Mount Surf Club on December 20.

Surf Life Saving NZ eastern region lifesaving manager Chaz Gibbons-Campbell. Photo / NZME

Gibbons‑Campbell said this week, three kayakers were rescued at Waihī, Whangamatā, and Tolaga Bay beaches after falling into the water. Lifeguards used IRBs to bring all three safely back to shore.

“Almost all the rescues this year have involved people swimming outside flagged areas, with many being swept off sandbanks and getting themselves into trouble.

“Some beachgoers overestimate their abilities and underestimate the power of the surf and swell conditions.”

He said that even to “the ordinary Joe Public’s eye”, half‑metre surf can look calm and inviting — but what’s happening beneath the surface is what truly matters.

Gibbons‑Campbell noted that swell size was often driven by distant weather systems, meaning conditions could remain hazardous even when the weather appears settled. Swells could take time to ease and may build again quickly.

“It’s always wise to check the weather and surf forecast before heading to the beach.”

He said there were significant troughs and rips along the coastline from Mount Maunganui to Pāpāmoa, and the riskiest time to swim was two hours either side of low tide.

He urged people to be realistic about their abilities and to choose patrolled areas wherever possible, and to always keep children at arm’s length.

Surf Lifesaving Eastern Region manager Chaz Gibbons-Campbell. Photo / Alex Cairns

Lifeguard patrols and hours

Gibbons‑Campbell said this summer patrol season, there would be 147 paid (council-funded) lifeguards working across the Eastern region on weekdays until the end of March.

And about 900 volunteer lifeguards and support staff who would be on duty during the weekends.

The patrol season runs until the end of March.

He urged beachgoers to swim and surf at lifeguard-patrolled beaches, and never alone, and listen to the lifeguards who know the safest places to swim and where not to swim.

Surf conditions for the Eastern region

Gibbons-Campbell said the forecast surf conditions for the Eastern region over the coming few days would include small swells.

But there was the potential for “larger, more powerful waves” in the latter part of the week, particularly around Mount Maunganui, Pāpāmoa and Tay St beaches.

He said the size of the swell was often driven by weather systems some distance away, so even if the weather appeared settled, the swells could take some time to ease.

“It’s always wise to check the weather and surf forecast before hitting the beach.”

He urged beachgoers to swim and surf at lifeguard-patrolled beaches and never alone, and always listen to the lifeguards who know the safest places to swim.

Gibbons-Campbell urged beachgoers to check the Surf Lifesaving New Zealand’s safeswim website, which is updated regularly with information about the patrols and surf conditions.

Sandra Conchie is a senior journalist at the Bay of Plenty Times and Rotorua Daily Post who has been a journalist for 25 years. She mainly covers police, court and other justice stories, as well as general news. She has been a Canon Media Awards regional/community reporter of the year.