Mount lifeguards have Waitangi Day warning after busy weekend

Mount Maunganui Lifeguard Service members Felix Cook (left) and Cameron Witney head out in an IRB to rescue a surfer on Saturday. Photo supplied/Jamie Troughton/Dscribe Media

Swell start to Feb

*Watch in HD* We've got a heavy north-east ground swell hitting the Main Beach today, combined with a 2.10m high tide... it made things interesting for the beach volleyballers first thing, along with walkers around the Base Track of Mauao this morning, while our lifeguards have already assisted several surfers who've got outside their comfort zone. Please - stay safe if you're in the water today. The swell is meant to drop during the next 36hrs but the currents and holes created by these waves will remain. Long-range forecasts also say another bigger swell is due to hit later next week. If you have to get in the water, swim between the flags and listen to lifeguards!

Posted by Mount Maunganui Lifeguard Service on Friday, 2 February 2018

Big swells and busy beaches kept the Mount Maunganui Lifeguard Service on their toes over the weekend, with five rescues and several responses.

Beachgoers faced a heavy north-east swell combined with a 2.10m high tide on Saturday.

Patrol captain Cameron Witney said three of the rescues involved surfers and boogie-boarders biting off a little more than they could chew in a big swell.

"It was a bit concerning both boogie-boarders weren't wearing fins," Witney said.

"February is usually when we start seeing more easterly swells develop and the water is at its warmest so it's a great reminder to people hitting the beaches to take extra care."

Although this January was one of the hottest on record, surf conditions have been relatively benign for lifeguards.

Things kicked off over the last fortnight, however, with Saturday's swell leaving a potentially nasty hangover.

Strong currents have gouged out holes all along the coast, greatly increasing the chances of rips on tomorrow's public holiday

Another big swell was due to hit later this week, stemming from several low-pressure systems dropping down out of the Pacific.

Lifeguards also patrolled the Mauao base track on Saturday morning, where the swell coincided with a king tide, causing waves to wash over the track in some places.

Witney said the other incidents involved lifeguards helping ill and injured people off Mauao.

Witney himself was involved in a rescue before patrol started on Saturday, helping two surfers in trouble after one had been pulled out by strong currents.

Regional lifeguards finish week-day patrolling at the end of this week at most beaches, while voluntary patrols will continue every weekend until Easter.

Safety at the beach

- Swim between the flags
- Check in with lifeguards before taking a dip
- Know your limits, especially if you're on a board.