Surf lifeguards in an IRB rescued two swimmers at Tay St on Saturday. Photo / Jamie Troughton / Dscribe Media
A surge in afternoon rescues at Mount Maunganui on Saturday has prompted renewed safety warnings from Surf Lifesaving New Zealand, after shifting sandbanks, strong rips and an outgoing tide contributed to a demanding day for lifeguards.
Surf Lifesaving NZ Eastern Region manager Chaz Gibbons-Campbell confirmed Mount Maunganui lifeguards carried out 11 surf rescues on Saturday, with a further two at Whangamatā.
“The 11 rescues at the Mount kicked off around that change in the tides again,” he said. “From mid-afternoon to late afternoon, there were several rescues — mainly off Mount Maunganui Beach, with a few at Tay Street.”
Most involved swimmers swept off sandbanks into deeper water. One man, aged 20, swallowed “a considerable amount of water” and was taken to hospital by ambulance.
Gibbons-Campbell described most as “textbook rescues”.
“They were mainly tube rescues, with lifeguards going out and helping them back into shore.”
He noted that some rescues were performed by lifeguards who qualified only a few weeks ago.
The busiest period for rescues was between lunchtime and 5pm, coinciding with the low tide at 3.30pm, he said.
Mount Maunganui Lifeguard Service patrol captain Dallas Numa said his team was busy from the moment patrol began at 11am.
“We’d already rescued three people before midday,” he said. “All the rescues but one were just poor choices in locations of swimming.”
Numa said swimmers were either in a rip or beside one, with two rescues at Tay St and the rest on Main Beach.
“There’s no lifeguards on duty yet at Tay St, but we still patrol down to that area,” he said.
By chance, a crew testing an IRB after a Pāpāmoa competition “happened to be at the right spot at the right time” and rescued two swimmers there.
Other rescues were carried out using rescue tubes, with IRBs standing by as backup. First aid — mainly minor cut feet from shells — also kept lifeguards busy.
Recent storms have significantly altered the beach profile, Numa said.
“The sandbanks had certainly changed, with lots of surges and rips, and the swells moving the water around,” he said. “People without beach savvy who don’t have much knowledge of beaches don’t realise how quickly conditions can change.”
Numa urged beachgoers to swim between the flags, supervise children closely, and be wary of the shore dump — waves that break suddenly close to shore.
“Also look out for changes in conditions. Swells, currents and rips will change throughout the day,” he said.
His team remained on duty an extra hour on Saturday because of concerns about beach conditions.
“Our team did a fantastic job. We stayed on until 5pm because of the number of issues and our concerns with people on the beach.”
Gibbons-Campbell said the two Whangamatā rescues happened mid-afternoon, under similar circumstances.
“Again, people swimming outside of the flagged area had been swept off sandbanks and got themselves into difficulty,” he said. An IRB crew responded to the rescues.
Gibbons-Campbell said many recent incidents were occurring on the outgoing tide, particularly in the two hours before low tide.
“People need to make sure they are keeping within their limits and be aware of the sudden drop-offs where it goes from shallow to deeper water,” he said. “With the outgoing tide, it’s pulling people off those banks, and they’re getting themselves into distress.”
His key safety advice: “Remain calm, float on your back, raise your hand for help — and somebody will come to you”.
Gibbons-Campbell also confirmed the Mount Maunganui Lifeguard Service’s Search and Rescue (SAR) squad was helping police and Coastguard in the search for a man reported missing on Friday.
“We think he went into the water on Thursday night, about 10pm,” he said.
On Saturday, the SAR team assisted police within Tauranga Harbour around Chapel St and the city’s bridges.
“They’ve had the police dive squad on board their IRBs doing sonar underwater searches.”
Police said the search continued on Sunday.
Contact the police online at 105.police.govt.nz, clicking “Update Report” or by calling 105 to report any new information. Use the reference number 251121/3720.
Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.