Five people were rescued from Waihī Beach on Tuesday night after being swept into a rip nearly two hours after lifeguards had finished patrols.
A further 20 swimmers were ordered from the water as hazardous conditions intensified along the coastline.
Surf Life Saving New Zealand eastern region manager ChazGibbons‑Campbell said the incident unfolded about 8pm, well after the scheduled patrol had ended.
Gibbons‑Campbell, who had spent the day assisting lifeguards at Waihī Beach, said conditions had been challenging from the outset, with large, messy surf, strong swells and multiple rips in action.
“It was really hot, there were hundreds of people in the water, but the surf was big and messy and there were lots of rips working.”
While preventative action by lifeguards meant no rescues were required during patrol hours, conditions worsened into the evening as people continued to swim after guards had packed up for the day, Gibbons-Campbell said.
At around 8pm, off-duty lifeguards noticed five swimmers caught in a rip directly off the surf club. The group had been pulled into a well-known fixed rip near a small river outlet and dragged about 200 metres offshore.
The lifeguards grabbed rescue boards, paddled out and brought all five swimmers back to shore.
“Luckily, everyone was okay,” Gibbons‑Campbell said.
While on the beach, the team also directed another 20 swimmers from the water at various points along the shoreline.
“It just wasn’t safe. There was a big swell and rips right along the beach.”
IRB at Waihī Beach. Photo / Supplied.
He warned that one of the most dangerous times to swim is often after patrols end, particularly in the early evening when tides shift and conditions change or worsen.
“Yesterday and today, the most dangerous time is around 6pm when lifeguards are packing up. There’s still a lot of people around, especially with events cancelled and warm, muggy weather.”
With New Year’s Eve celebrations imminent, he urged people to avoid swimming outside patrol hours.
“I definitely do not recommend a midnight dip tonight, and even in the morning, please wait until lifeguards are on patrol at 10am.”
The hazardous conditions have been driven by a recent low-pressure system producing strong winds and heavy surf along east coast beaches, including the Bay of Plenty and Coromandel. Although the swell is expected to ease in coming days, significant water movement remains.
Gibbons‑Campbell reiterated Surf Life Saving’s core safety message:
“Swim between the flags, swim during patrol hours, and if in doubt, stay out.”
