Dangerous rips and swell at Bay beaches bring plea to stay out of sea

Danger rip sign on Mount Maunganui Main Beach. Photo/George Novak

Beach-goers are being urged to watch out for rips as a big swell hits the coastline.

Surf Life Saving New Zealand national lifesaving manager Allan Mundy said surf life-saving clubs were putting up signs warning beach-goers about the conditions.

"We're trying to make sure people stay out of the rips, which is difficult as we don't have patrols running at the moment."

He said a low sitting off the coast had brought heavy seas, which were expected to last for at least the next day or two before dropping off.

"Volunteers are finished for the season, so we ask the public to be vigilant and wise about where they are swimming.

"Be smart - I'm a surf lifesaver, and I wouldn't be out swimming in 2.5-3m waves."

There were safer places to swim, like Pilot Bay, Mr Mundy said.

"It's a beautiful harbour on our back door if you want to go out for a bit of a dip."

He expected swimming conditions to be safe again by the middle of the week.

"We just need people to show some patience."

Hibiscus Surf School instructor Rebecca Manning said they were closed Monday and Tuesday due to the big swells and rips.

"It's really big, lots of rips, not safe for beginners. We could have taken people out, but they might not have had much fun."

She said there were surfers tackling the waves, but they were advanced.

"Another reason we didn't open even if we could have taken lessons is we don't want to be seen as encouraging beginners to go surfing."

MetService reported waves along the coast from Waihi Beach to Pukehina Beach to be between 1.6m and 1.2m.

Waves at Waihi Beach were 1.6m yesterday afternoon and 1.2m at Papamoa Beach.