A suspected stingray attack on a man retrieving his crayfish pot and a boat that capsized, ditching three people overboard, were the major incidents Riversdale Beach surf lifesavers dealt with on the last weekend of the year.
Both happened on Sunday, as well as a third, less dramatic, rescue oftwo young people who were on kneeboards when caught in a rip and carried out to sea.
Riversdale Surf Lifesaving Club patrol captain Matt Ritani said the stingray attack happened about 2.30pm.
The crayfisherman's wife, who had been with her husband as he retrieved his pots, alerted lifeguards that he had been stung.
The man had felt a jab "like a shot from an electric eel", dropped his pot and started back for the beach.
He and his wife headed for the clubhouse on their motorbike, and on arrival the man was in severe pain.
"We made sure the wound was clean and dressed and had him on oxygen.
"Then we contacted the emergency services and a rescue helicopter was sent out to take him to Wairarapa Hospital, where he was checked out before returning to the beach," Mr Ritani said.