People flocking to beaches in northern region after warm start to summer

A surf lifeguard at Orewa Beach looks out over the water. Photo / Christine Cornege

Thousands of beachgoers are celebrating the return of the warm weather, turning out in high numbers across northern region beaches.

The busiest beach on Saturday afternoon was Muriwai, where a man drowned yesterday.

According to figures supplied by Surf Life Saving Northern Region, 500 were counted on the west coast beach and 200 were in the water by 2pm.

In total 2971 people were recorded to be at beaches in Waikato, Auckland and Northland on Saturday morning.

Surf Life Saving Northern Region duty officer Duncan Buchanan said sunny days across the Auckland region, marking the start of summer, had lead to "relatively high" beach numbers.

"We're preparing for a busy day. When you have a day like this it's good news but it can be a potentially challenging day," he said.

MetService has predicted temperatures will peak at 23 degrees in Auckland today but the nice weather isn't set to continue, with rain forecast for Sunday and cloud throughout the week.

The start to summer was marred on Friday afternoon after a man drowned at Muriwai, between the main beach and Maori Bay, near flat rock.

The area is popular with fishermen and wasn't a patrolled area.

Buchanan said it was unclear whether the man, who was with friends, had been swimming at the main beach and been moved toward the rocks with the current, or if he'd got into the water elsewhere.

The conditions had been fine, he said.

"Visibility was good, surf was moderate, not big for Muriwai standard conditions at all."

Police weren't yet in a position to release the man's name. Next of kin were still being advised.

Buchanan said lifeguards had only brief involvement in the rescue after being requested to attend by police.

"There was a person in distress and police requested local members attended. The person was returned to shore," he said.

By that stage the man had died.

That brings this year's total drownings to 68. This time last year it was 66.

Lifeguard supervisor Daniel Lee reminded people to swim between the flags and to always swim accompanied by a friend.

DROWNINGS- BY THE NUMBERS

In 2016 there were 78 drownings, and a further 207 hospitalisations.

The most drownings were in the northern region: Northland (17), Waikato (16), and Auckland (11).

Most fatalities were in rivers (23), and beaches (21); followed by tidal waters (16) and off shore water (11).

Source: Drownbase.org.nz