KEY POINTS:
Two children were rushed to hospital after separate near-drowning incidents at Cornwallis Beach yesterday, and four people were dragged from the surf after getting into trouble at Piha.
Surf Lifesaving spokeswoman Kelle Taylor said lifeguards received a call for help after the swimmers got into difficulty on the
northern side of Lion Rock about 5.30pm.
Lifeguards rescued two men from the water using rescue tubes but came across another two men, aged 17 and 18, who were stranded on rocks in the rip.
The exhausted and distressed teens were taken back to the beach where they collapsed having taken in water. They were given oxygen before being taken to hospital, one in a moderate and the other in a serious condition.
Ms Taylor said the people were not swimming between the flags and the rescue served as a warning to others about the dangers at Piha.
Few details are available about the Cornwallis incidents but a 4-year-old boy, probably affected by a medical condition, got into trouble in the water and was reportedly taken to Starship children's hospital in a serious but stable condition at about 12.30pm.
Ninety minutes later, emergency services were called after a 12-year-old got into difficulty in the water while swimming near the end of the wharf. He was flown to Starship in a critical condition.
Cornwallis on the Manukau Harbour is usually calm, shelves gently and is known as a safe beach.
ARC principal ranger Bruce Andrell said it was popular with families because it was not as dangerous as West Coast beaches.
However currents in the channel - about 200m from the beach - and near the long wharf could be treacherous.
Signs explained the dangers, he said, and he urged people to take care and look out for each other, especially because the beach was not manned by lifeguards.
Meanwhile, kite surfers are being asked to take care after five people had to be rescued around Raglan Harbour on Wednesday.
Lifeguards said most were not in significant distress but needed help getting back to shore after they had lost wind, damaged equipment or been blown off course. The increasingly popular sport was a problem for Raglan lifeguards who were spending a lot of time away from patrolled areas helping kite surfers, said lifesaving development officer Andy Kent.
At least 20 kite surfers had been rescued this season.
Lifeguards recommend kite surfers check surf and wind conditions before heading out.
"We would also like to stress that they know their limits; are confident swimming in the conditions; have a personal flotation device; stay well away from the flagged patrol area and remain 200m away from any swimmers."
