Surf lifeguard rescues in the Eastern region have surged again, with 14 swimmers pulled to safety over the past two days.

Four were swimming outside the lifeguard-patrol hours, and four of those rescued on New Year’s Day were outside the flagged patrol zones.

This brings the total rescues across the Eastern region since October 25 to 93 – more than five times the 17 for the same period last year.

A Surf Life Saving NZ eastern region spokeswoman said yesterday it was “pretty quiet” in activity in the few days prior to New Year’s, however New Year’s Day was “very busy” across the region.

“There were high numbers at Whangamatā Beach, estimated to be up to 2500, with four rescues and three more at other beaches in the region.”

The spokeswoman said there were seven further rescues today as of 3pm, including four swimmers who got into difficulties at Pāpāmoa Beach about 2.35pm.

She said the four distressed swimmers were yelling out for help about 100m offshore, near Allan Place Holiday Park on Pāpāmoa Beach Rd, and were outside the lifeguard-patrolled area.

“The lifeguards responded by swimming and using an IRB to bring them safely back to the shore.”

A Hone Hato St John spokeswoman said two ambulance crews and an operations manager responded to the Pāpāmoa Beach rescue today and treated two patients in a moderate condition at the scene.

“The patients were left in the care of their families,” she said.

“We have treated several people involved in beach water rescues this summer, and we really need people to follow our safety messages and only swim between the flags.”

Eastern region lifeguards on patrol at Waihī Beach. Photo / Chaz Gibbons-Campbell

Safety warning from Surf Life Saving NZ

The Eastern region Surf Life Saving spokeswoman said she did not have the exact details of the December 31 rescues, but several were likely to have happened outside lifeguards’ patrol hours.

“With high temperatures, people are coming down to a beach to swim after the patrols have ended, and what might look like appealing waves and small calm surf is very deceiving.

“Particularly if swimming when there is a low outgoing tide, which is the time when there are a lot of rips, and troughs and a lot of strong water movement.”

She urged people to swim during the patrol hours of 10am to 6pm, between the flags and always check the surf and weather conditions on the Safeswim website.

She said in the Eastern region, there had also been multiple first aid medical responses, including at Whangamatā, Mount Maunganui, Pāpāmoa, Maketū, Hot Water Beach and East End beaches.

“Medical responses have included anaphylactic shock from a bee sting, a dislocated shoulder and a potential spinal injury.”

Surf and weather conditions

Eastern region Surf Life Saving duty officer Gabriella Hughes said the weather and surf conditions in the Coromandel over the coming days were expected to be “fairly consistent”.

“Swells were sitting at around 0.6m to 1m, with warm conditions and beaches are expected to remain busy, keeping the lifeguards active.”

Hughes said the swell was gradually dropping across the Bay of Plenty as we headed into the weekend.

“Conditions will be overcast with the odd shower, but temperatures will also stay warm, so beach numbers are still expected to be high.

“It’s been a high swell, easing towards Saturday, before building again on Sunday for about 1.5m-plus. And rain is expected to be fairly consistent throughout Gisborne over the weekend.”

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.

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