Surf lifeguards patrolling this weekend (Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 November) performed 65 rescues across the country, with 46 of those within the Northern Region, and 15 within the Eastern Region (refer to regional map below). People flocked to the beaches to make the most of the sunny weather this weekend, however large surf on both the east and west coasts in the northern region, and large surf in the Bay of Plenty, saw a significant number of rescues.

Meanwhile, Surf Life Saving New Zealand (SLSNZ) Search & Rescue squads were involved in a number of searches, with the Ruakākā Search & Rescue squad involved in the ongoing search for a missing person around Pataua, near Whangārei.

Further north, the Far North Surf Rescue Search & Rescue squad was tasked by police to assist Westpac Rescue in the search for a rock fisher reported missing at Tapotupotu Bay near Cape Reinga. Police crews, Search and Rescue, Coastguard Air Patrol, Customs, Surf Lifesaving and Northern Rescue Helicopter were all involved in the operation, which will resume this morning.

Any further inquiries on ongoing search and rescue operations should be referred to Police, who will release further information at their discretion.

SLSNZ’s GM – Lifesaving, Andy Kent says that the conditions, which resulted in a number of rescues performed within the flagged area, are stark reminder that people must remain aware of their surroundings, and to keep watch of children in the water.

“There were 65 lives saved this weekend thanks to the vigilance of surf lifeguards. Remember, if you are heading to the beach you should check the SafeSwim website to find a lifeguarded beach, and always swim between the red and yellow flags, which show the safest place to swim. Always keep children within arm’s reach in or near the water, and if you’re unsure about the conditions, it’s always better to stay out of the water than put yourself at risk,” he says.

Beachgoers can use Safe Swim to check conditions, and to confirm whether a beach is patrolled by surf lifeguards. 

The weekend’s operations included: 

Saturday:

• Sunny conditions brought beach goers out in force, with the Northern Region Lifeguards being kept busy across the Northern Region. Lifeguards responded to a number of medical incidents and completed a total of 30 rescues on Saturday alone.  
• Mangawhai Search & Rescue squad were tasked to help transport a patient off a boat who had a knee injury to an awaiting ambulance.
• The Ruakākā Search & Rescue squad and several members from other SAR squads were involved in the ongoing search for a missing person around Pataua, near Whangārei Heads. Two Rescue Water Craft (RWC – jetskis) and four surf lifeguards completed a number of taskings from Police. Any further inquiries should be referred to Police.
• It was a busy day for surf lifeguards at Raglan, who cared for a patient who dislocated their shoulder, administering pain relief until an ambulance arrived to transport the patient to hospital in a stable condition. Raglan surf lifeguards also completed an after-hours rescue for a person caught in a rip. Surf lifeguards were informed by police of a person being swept out to sea. They responded immediately via Inflatable Rescue Boat (IRB) and rescued the patient within minutes. The patient had swallowed a large amount of water and was hypothermic, so was transported to the club’s first aid room for treatment until an ambulance arrived.
• Surf lifeguards at Mairangi Bay responded to a six-year-old patient with dislocated elbow at the local park.

Sunday:

• The Far North Surf Rescue Call Out Squad responded with a 1.5 hour drive up to Taputupotu Bay near Cape Reinga to assist Westpac Rescue helicopter with a search. 
• After a busy day at Raglan’s main beach, surf lifeguards at Raglan swiftly responded to five people stuck in a rip. Surf lifeguards responded via IRB, and all people were returned to shore safely. 
• Surf lifeguards at Omaha, Whangārei Heads, and Mangawhai Heads all conducted rescues within the flagged area, with surf lifeguards able to respond quickly and return people to the beach safely. 
• The Bethells Beach Search & Rescue squad responded to an after-hours call out, after Police were notified of a person in trouble in the water. They transported two patients back to the club to provide medical care alongside the Hato Hone St John paramedics and critical care paramedics. 
• Hato Hone St John MDT alerted SurfCom of a person brought up the beach by an off-duty lifeguard at Papamoa East. Papamoa surf lifeguards responded via ATV to their location, where they met with paramedics.
• Castlecliff rescued two children that got swept out from where they were swimming and were caught beyond where they could stand. The children raised their hands, and surf lifeguards were able to respond immediately with rescue tubes to return them to shore.

Aggregated patrol statistics:

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