Kayaker's body pulled from surf at Muriwai Beach

A kayaker's body was pulled from rough surf at Muriwai Beach. Photo / NZ Herald

The body of an Auckland man was pulled from rough surf at Muriwai Beach yesterday after he was knocked from his kayak.

A full-scale sea, air and land search for the kayaker was launched about 2.25pm involving the Muriwai Volunteer Lifeguard Service, police and Westpac Rescue Helicopter.

DO YOU HAVE A TIP? SEND US AN EMAIL

It was reported to police by a surfer who saw the man knocked from his kayak in 2m swells.

In a statement, a police spokeswoman said: "A female surfer was also in the water and saw a large wave knock the man off his kayak.

"A number of powerful waves continued to hit and the man was separated further from his kayak. When the surfer came out of the water she noticed the man's kayak had washed up on the shore, but the man could not be seen."

The kayaker has been identified by police as Dein Mitchell, 51, of Glenfield.

His body was found about 90-minutes later, said lifeguard service president Tim Jago.

He said Mr Mitchell was spotted in the water and a surfer paddling nearby stayed with his body until rescuers could recover him.

A police spokeswoman said Mr Mitchell's death had been referred to the coroner.

It was understood the man was at the beach alone.

He was a wearing a full length wetsuit but no life jacket.