By SCOTT KARA and ROSALEEN MACBRAYNE
Lifeguards in Auckland and the Bay of Plenty are looking back on a relatively quiet year as the surf lifesaving season comes to an end at Easter.
Muriwai and Piha - Auckland's most notorious beaches - had 70 per cent of their summer rescues in just two weekends either side of Auckland Anniversary weekend in January.
Provisional statistics show Piha had 120 rescues this year, compared with 128 last year, while Muriwai recorded almost the same 107 rescues as last year.
With only a few days to run, this season's total number of rescues at Auckland beaches was 399, compared with last season's total of 405.
The statistics might not show it but this summer had been less busy, said Tim Jago, president of the Surf Life Saving Northern Region.
The beaches had not been as crowded because the America's Cup had pulled many people to the inner harbour and a series of drownings at Muriwai and Piha early in the season affected people's choice of beach.
Some clubs, including those at Bethells Beach, Karioitahi, Red Beach and Piha North would be operating throughout Easter but not on Tuesday, Anzac Day.
Mr Jago said people should follow all the usual safety rules while swimming, including not swimming alone or on an outgoing tide.
"People still have to be aware of rips and holes. They don't disappear when the fine weather ends," he said.
One thing Mr Jago was expecting in the next couple of weeks was people being trapped around the coastline by an incoming tide after dark.
Surf rescues at Bay of Plenty and Coromandel beaches this season have dropped dramatically compared with last summer.
Provisional statistics show only 278 rescues compared with a record 1029 last season.
The Surf Lifesaving Bay of Plenty district administrator, Barry Leabourn, links the high number in 1998-99 to the La Nina weather patterns. Northerly winds and extreme heat had large crowds flocking to the beach.
"More temperate climatic conditions [this season] had fewer people going to the beach," he said yesterday.
This summer, beaches had also had less surf, the major cause of rips and holes.
Mt Maunganui had the most rescues this season with 72, followed by Whangamata with 58.
Hot Water Beach had 31 saves, Pauanui 29, Waihi Beach 19, Omanu 16, Maketu 14, Whiritoa 13, Papamoa 10, Opotiki 8, Whakatane 6, and Pukehina and Tairua one rescue each.
Mr Leabourn said volunteer lifeguard patrols finish on Anzac Day but warm weather could see people on the beach for a few more weeks.
"Anyone entering the water should take heed of the surf safety messages of 'Never swim alone' and 'If in doubt, stay out.'"
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