Bedwell encouraged beachgoers to swim within the designated safe swim area whenever possible.
“The majority of rescues lifeguards complete occur outside of the flagged area, so the easiest way to stay safe over the summer is to stick to this area,” she said.
Lifeguards will work to help the public in identifying where rips are each day, monitor the beach and any other potential dangers.
If conditions are deemed unsafe for swimming, lifeguards will notify the public with a danger flag and will remain posted in case anyone who still chooses to enter the water needs help.
Conditions that may prompt a danger flag are strong wind, heavy surf, strong rips, or when no safe swimming zone can be identified.
“If we advise you that conditions make the beach unsafe for swimming, I promise we are not doing it to curb your summer fun,” Bedwell said.
“Your safety is our priority, and on a particularly wild or dangerous day, heading to the pool is a much better idea.”
The lifeguard team is fully staffed, and Bedwell said it was aiming to be entirely up and running by December 1.
Volunteer lifeguards will be on patrol at both beaches, if resources allow, on weekends for the rest of November.
After Waitangi weekend, patrols will revert to weekend-only monitoring by volunteer lifeguards through to March or early April.
If an emergency arises outside of patrol hours, Bedwell advised, always call 111.
