The only incident in an otherwise quiet start to summer on Northland beaches was a person who was swept out to sea at 90 Mile Beach.
St John advanced paramedic Mark Going said the person in question managed to make their way back to shore without any assistance.
On hand were Northland Electricity rescue helicopter and an ambulance from Kaitaia who were called to The Bluff at about 10am yesterday.
The helicopter, with two advanced paramedics on board, searched the ocean for the person who had been swept into the water, Mr Going said.
"After the helicopter searched along the coastline this person made their way back on to shore," he said.
Lifeguards started patrolling some of the region's surf beaches this weekend - Ruakaka, Mangawhai, Waipu Cove, Ahipara, and Ocean Beach, Whangarei Heads - in what is the unofficial start to the summer.
Ruakaka Surf Lifesaving Club captain Tania Ahrens said there had been no rescues at the beach, though it was host to 250-300 people on Sunday.
With a temperature hovering about 20C and some much needed sunshine over much of the weekend most beaches were full of people.
"It's been very quiet and everyone has been well behaved," Ms Ahrens said. The calm water conditions meant less people were getting into trouble than usual, she said.
Ms Ahrens said Sunday also doubled as the club's open day where about 25 people signed up to be trained as lifeguards.
Last week was the inaugural national Safer Boating Week, though leading up to it the local coastguard had seven call-outs in five days.
Chairman of Far North Surf Rescue Dave Ross warned those venturing into the water to be cautious in the lead up to summer.
"Check the water conditions and the apparel that you wear," he said. "Those who enter in the water, don't venture in alone and be totally aware of the conditions at the time you enter."
Mr Ross also warned people fishing from rocks that it was equally important they wear lifejackets as it was for those fishing off a boat.
Thirty-five people, or three a week, drowned in New Zealand last summer, an increase of four from the previous year.