They were involved in rescues at Piha, Long Bay, Takapuna and Raglan, but also attended beach vehicle accidents at Whangarei Heads and Sunset Beach, and medical incidents at Kariotahi and Pakiri.
At Sunset Beach an accident in which a quad bike rolled resulted in the driver's death, and a man is still missing in the seas off Piha.
Matt Williams says lifeguard volunteers are increasingly being asked to respond to more critical and serious incidents outside their core brief - "which is to provide a safe location for people to swim at the beach," he says.
"They are facing a completely new diverse set of circumstances dealing with death, drownings and car crashes which is becoming more and more the norm.
"It changes the way we operate, that was never our purpose.
"We are now looking at whether we should continue on the current path, where a huge amount of activity in that space is generating a lot more cost.
"Local authorities and councils are funding the service, but we are just scraping by on that funding.
"When our costs are increasing, our operation and activity are increasing, we need to revisit that conversation.
"For us just to be sustainable and keep providing that service, we need to have that conversation."
Operations Manager Adam Wooler, who took up his role in September this year, says he's been astonished at the level of emergency services work required of his lifeguards.
"I'm quite shocked to see our young volunteers going out to recover bodies for example. I saw nothing like that in my lifesaving roles in the UK."
Williams says the trend to more and more emergency call-outs means it's also time to "draw a line in the sand - literally" where the function of surf lifesaving is concerned.
"This raises fundamental questions around what lifesaving is, what value it should add and ultimately who funds it - if it's seen as essential. That discussion has to take place now; the status quo isn't sustainable."
Williams says the most important thing is for people to work with the lifeguards so they are not sitting on this really heavy response end of the scale.
"What we are seeing is a large amount of rescues which come up because the public haven't used common sense," he says
"The line in the sand is really the public need to play their part."
"When you come to visit the beaches and coastline, the behaviour we are seeing is not acceptable.
"You need to change your behaviour."
Top tips for staying safe on the beach this summer
• Choose a patrolled beach and swim between the flags.
• Get a friend to swim with you - never swim or surf alone.
• Watch out for that rip. Rips are calm, deep patches of water close to shore that can sometimes have waves breaking to the side. Rippled, discoloured or foamy water with debris can also mean there is a rip present - so don't swim there! Only swim where waves are breaking.
• Be smart around rocks. Whether fishing or exploring at the beach, rocky outcrops can be very dangerous in large surf. When fishing, always wear a lifejacket. Never stand on a rock outcrop that is already wet (a sure sign waves will be washing over it) and always face the ocean; never turn your back on the sea.
• Always keep a very close eye on children in or near the water. Don't overestimate you or your children's ability to cope in the conditions. Preferably be in the water next to them at all times on a surf beach.
• If you're away from home, check with the locals and ask them about the conditions and the safest place to swim.
• Know your limits and, if in doubt, stay out of the water!
• If you spot someone in trouble at an unpatrolled beach, ensure your own safety and ring 111 and ask for the Police.
• Listen to the advice of lifeguards - they are the experts in keeping you safe at the beach.
