Mount Maunganui and Ōmanu lifeguards helped monitor two paddleboarders repeatedly falling off their boards well offshore on Sunday.

Police requested assistance after concerns were raised about the pair, prompting Ōmanu and Mount Maunganui lifeguards to combine to find them, a Surf Lifesaving NZ statement said.

Ōmanu lifeguards spotted the paddleboarders and directed the Mount Maunganui Rescue Water Craft to them.

The paddleboarders were wearing lifejackets and told lifeguards they were happy to continue down the beach.

The incident was one of the more notable callouts for Surf Life Saving New Zealand’s Eastern Region over the weekend as patrols continued along Bay of Plenty beaches.

Across the Eastern Region, surf lifeguards carried out 28 preventive actions involving 735 people over Saturday and Sunday and completed two searches. Lifeguards worked a combined 700 hours across the weekend, with beach attendance peaking at 859 people on Saturday.

Nationally, surf lifeguards assisted five teenagers in two incidents on Sunday.

In Taranaki, two teenage boys who had swum to Motuotamatea/Snapper Rock were unable to make it back to shore and were returned to the beach by inflatable rescue boat.

In Nelson, three teenage boys who paddled to Haulashore Island became stranded by strong winds and were returned to shore.

Surf Life Saving New Zealand general manager lifesaving Andy Kent said the incidents highlighted how quickly conditions could change.

“Wind and currents can change quickly, so before you swim or paddle out, think about how you’ll get back.

“If you feel uncomfortable about getting into the water, stay out. It’s better to be safe than sorry.”

Kent encouraged beachgoers to choose lifeguarded beaches, swim between the red and yellow flags and check conditions before heading into the water.