Surf lifesavers report a heavy workload in recent days and are concerned about the trends they're seeing; including finless boogie boarders and big rips which are unprecedented on the East Coast.

_{Omanu surf club, file photo.}

That's according to Omanu's director of lifesaving Dennis Mundy, who says five were rescued at Tay Street and another two at Arataki today. He's expecting 'bedlam” on the beaches on Sunday.

An IRB from Omanu rescued five including a father of two girls, who had gone into the water to assist his children. He was given oxygen and taken to hospital by ambulance. Another IRB from Arataki performed a rescue of two others.

Dennis says the danger times are in the half hour to an hour after the high tides, which are in the middle of the day, when the tide is dropping off the bar. Dangerous conditions exist just after the high tide along the entire beach from Arataki to around Sutherland Ave.

'There are major rips at Tay, Omanu and Arataki. The surf looks small but it's actually quite large. People are getting out there and being surprised at its strength.”

Dennis says the rips are extending out to sea for 250 to 300 metres, which is unprecedented for the East Coast.

Other trending issues causing lifeguards concern are the large numbers of boogie boarders in the surf without fins. Lifesavers are seeing a lot of 'new gear” out on the beach.

He says once the kids get out in the surf with fins, their feet aren't in the water. Many are throwing their boards and attempting to swim and they're going down or struggling.

Lifeguards are in disbelief at the number of brand new boards appearing on the beaches, the owners without fins.

For the next few days and especially tomorrow (Sunday) the critical time to avoid trouble is from around 1pm and just after, when the tide starts to fall.