A busy winter honing their skills has surf life savers primed and ready to pay careful attention to the usual throng of beach-goers on the Bay's beaches this summer.

This weekend marks the start of the Surf Life Saving New Zealand patrol period with volunteer life savers staking their claim in the sand, via the distinctive red and yellow flags, from tomorrow.

Mount Maunganui Lifeguard Service members like Callum Knox (right) and Jacques Glover will be patrolling the Main Beach and surrounding areas from this weekend. Photo: Jamie Troughton/Dscribe Media Services.

Patrols continue right through to Easter for most areas of the North Island, while other parts of the country will see patrols begin during next month as warmer weather arrives.

Mount Surf Club general manager Glenn Bradley says, after a busy winter up-skilling, club members are excited to be heading into the summer patrol season.

'We had a real focus on the first aid up-skilling process, and have bought through about 20 [members], who have been working towards their various IRB qualifications.”

In a new move this year, the club is increasing its rostered patrols from five to six – something which Glenn says will keep the lifeguards 'fresh throughout the season”.

This season about 4000 volunteer lifeguards will spend about 200,000 hours keeping a watchful eye on 80 beaches throughout the country, helping make them a safer place for Kiwis and their families to enjoy summer.

During an average season, more than 1200 people are rescued from life-threatening situations. Last year, this number people rescued totalled more than 1600.

Omanu Surf Club is also pushing out its number of patrols, from six to seven, with a number of recently qualified lifeguards stepping up to the mark.

'We have got good numbers with patrols, or members, lining up for the weekends. It should be another good year with the water temperatures; and people already swimming on the beach,” says Omanu Surf Club director of surf life saving Mike Swan.

'It's just a product of the number of young members we have got coming on-board.”

Lifeguards on the East Coast made 27 rescues during the unscheduled winter season – something which is far too high, says Surf Life Saving New Zealand eastern regional manager Chris Emmett.

'Just find a beach that is patrolled really; and listen to the advice of lifeguards. If unsure, then go down to a beach that is patrolled and swim between the flags,” says Chris.

Surf Life Saving New Zealand chief executive Paul Dalton says surf life saving is committed to making Kiwis' national water playground as safe as possible.

'The beach is New Zealand's favourite playground, but it can also be a dangerous place. Learning about the risks and preparing yourself will mean you can enjoy the sun, sea and sand safely this summer,” says Paul.

Summer water safety tips:

• Find a beach that is patrolled – be prepared (For information, visit: www.findabeach.co.nz).
• Listen to the advice of lifeguards.
• Always keep an eye on children in the water.
• Get a friend to swim with you – never swim or surf alone.
• Stay between the flags.
• Watch out for rips. Rips are calm patches of water that can sometimes have waves breaking to the side. Rippled, discoloured or foamy water with debris can also mean there is a rip present.