Lower number of rescues, but danger still high as surf lifeguards maintain proactive presence over weekend

Surf lifeguards patrolling this weekend (Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 November) performed 11 rescues across the country nationally this weekend, a significant reduction on the 65 rescues performed the weekend. The figure, says Surf Life Saving New Zealand (SLSNZ), is not reflective of less dangerous conditions but rather a continued focus on proactive lifeguarding as people continued to head to the beach on Saturday to cool off in humid, hot conditions in Northland, Auckland, and the Bay of Plenty in particular. Nationally, surf lifeguards also performed 18 assists to safety, administered first aid 27 times, performed 400 preventative actions, and were involved in two searches.

In the Bay of Plenty, volunteer surf lifesaving patrols commenced a week early on Saturday due to ongoing dangerous conditions, particularly strong rip currents, and high beach visitor numbers. This proved to be a prudent decision, with surf lifeguards at Mount Maunganui performing an after-hours mass rescue of four people caught in a rip. The Paid Lifeguard Service in Mount Maunganui has also been brought forward, and has commenced today.
 
Surf lifeguards in the Bay of Plenty also provided event lifeguarding for the Mount Monster, New Zealand's most prestigious surf lifesaving endurance race, which ran over the weekend. Elsewhere within the Eastern Region, two surf lifeguards at Whiritoa, located between Waihi and Whangamatā, took the initiative to set up an observational patrol following a road closure to Whangamatā and increased beach numbers. Within the first hour of patrol they had assisted three people to safety.
 
In Southern Region, Search and Rescue squads in Nelson participated in a regional Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX), while in Central Region the Wellington-Kāpiti and Manawatū Search & Rescue squads were tasked by Police for a potential patient in distress in Raumati South but were stood down after multiple shoreline and in-and-out searches.
 
SLSNZ’s GM – Lifesaving, Andy Kent says that the conditions in the Northern and Eastern regions continue to be challenging.
 
“While there were fewer rescues, this isn’t indicative of more relaxed conditions,” he says. “Surf lifeguards were out in force on the weekend and have been particularly proactive to reduce the risk of the consistently challenging conditions we’re seeing. Surf lifeguards are constantly adapting to ensure our beaches remain safe. For example, bringing forward the commencement of volunteer patrols in parts of the Bay of Plenty is a prime example of our surf lifeguards willingness to go above and beyond in the interests of community safety.”
 
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:
• Surf lifeguards at Omanu assisted a patient who injured their knee, providing medical assistance until an ambulance arrived to transport the patient to hospital.

• Two surf lifeguards at Whiritoa took the initiative to set up an observational patrol following a road closure to Whangamatā and increased beach numbers. Within the first hour of patrol they had assisted three people to safety.

• Lifeguards at Mount Maunganui dealt with a minor first aid after hours, needing lifeguards to ensure patrol was open for an extra hour. During that time lifeguards were alerted to four people in trouble, and conducted a mass rescue, will all four people returned to shore safely.

• Wellington-Kapiti and Manawatu SAR were tasked by Police for a potential patient in distress in Raumati South. The squads conducted multiple shoreline and in and out searches, assisting Police and Coastguard, until they were later stood down when nothing was found.

• The Nelson SAREX continued into Saturday, with the Nelson Search & Rescue squad working alongside Police before the exercise was wrapped up just after midday.

• Surf lifeguards at St Clair provided First Aid to a patient with a large cut on their hand, providing initial first aid to patient before they were transported to urgent care by private vehicle.
 
Sunday:
• Lifeguards at Mt Manganui provided first aid support to a 73-year-old woman who had a fall on Mauao and had a suspected broken wrist. Surf lifeguards provided pain relief and transported the patient down the mountain to meet an awaiting ambulance.
 
Aggregated patrol statistics:

Surf Life Saving New Zealand regions: