bp Rescues of the Month: March

Surf Life Saving New Zealand is proud to highlight the skills and dedication of our surf lifeguards by announcing the March bp Rescues of the Month, thanks to the continued support of bp.  

In March, rescue teams from Whanganui, South Brighton, Karekare, and Orewa went above and beyond, and bp’s New Zealand Head of Country Haley Mahoney had this to say about the month’s winners: 

“Every rescue tells a story of people stepping up when others need help most. Each of these lifeguards has shown outstanding skill, courage and care, and they represent the very best of community service. bp is proud to stand alongside Surf Life Saving New Zealand in recognising these volunteers and the difference they make every day.” 

Whanganui Surf Lifeguard Service SAR Squad 

Lifeguards: James Newell, James McGregor, Lucy Reid, Daniel Comp, Ethan Bryers, Ethan Bishop, Sophie Smith, Nicole Comp 

On Sunday, 15 March, the Whanganui Surf Lifeguard Service SAR (search and rescue) squad responded to a report of two swimmers caught in a rip current at Castlecliff Beach around 4.00 pm. Off-duty lifeguards James McGregor and Lucy Reid were first to the scene and immediately launched the IRB (inflatable rescue boat). At the same time, SAR Coordinator Daniel Comp responded shortly after on a rescue kneeboard.  

The two patients were quickly located in the large surf and brought to the IRB aboard, with one patient found submerged and unconscious. The conscious patient was holding onto a public life ring, which helped keep them afloat until lifeguards arrived. Lifeguards Ethan Bryers, Ethan Bishop, Sophie Smith, and James Newell were waiting on the beach to assist with the emergency response, while Nicole Comp provided peer support onshore for the lifeguards involved and support to the patients' families during the incident.   

CPR was immediately initiated on the unconscious patient, alongside an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and oxygen therapy, before he was taken to the hospital. The second swimmer, who was conscious but severely exhausted, received first aid and oxygen treatment.   

The hospitalised patient – who had originally entered the water to rescue the others – returned to the club once discharged to meet and thank his rescuers (pictured). 

South Brighton SLSC 

Lifeguards: Michael Martlew, Scott Martlew, Kate Fahey, Mika Hughes, Ben Lemon 

At South Brighton, two children were pulled into a rip current outside the flagged area and were struggling in the surf as they drifted out to sea, while their Dad went in to try and assist but couldn't reach them.  

Lifeguards Michael Martlew and Kate Fahey (a husband-and-wife duo) were on patrol. They saw the children getting into trouble, while Michael's brother (a Paralympic kayaker and South Brighton clubbie), Scott Martlew, was out paddling on his surf ski during a break on patrol. Grabbing a rescue board and tube, they ran down the beach with fellow lifeguard Mika Hughes remaining on the flags and lifeguard Ben Lemon manning the tower. 

Scott reached the children first, and they were able to hang onto his surf ski until Michael and Kate arrived to bring them to shore.   

While surf lifeguards patrol between the flags, there is also always a much wider span of beach that they keep their eyes on - often for hundreds of metres in each direction. And in this case, the team's quick response prevented tragedy. 

This rescue also highlights the awareness that our sport athletes have when training that they are always alert and watching their surroundings and others in the water in case their support is needed. 

Karekare SLSC 

Lifeguards: Fraser Harvey, John Bassett, Orlo Cannon, Finnley Cannon, Oscar Chaafe, Harry Chick, Eti Eves, Robert Hammond, Daniel Harvey, Iolo John, James Johnston, James Kendrick, Lucca Lawson, Luke Mulcahy, Eleanor Mulrennan, Victoria Mulrennan, Lauren Parnell, Shay Scott, Sebastian Scott, Matthew Wade, David Wade 

Karekare SLSC responded to a complex search operation in March after a fisherman was witnessed falling into the water from rocks at the north end of Karekare. The patient was not wearing a PFD (Personal Flotation Device), and activation was delayed while the witness left the scene to raise the alarm.   

Lifeguards immediately initiated land and water-based search operations, escalating the response to a multi‑agency SAR. Due to the Police Maritime Unit being committed to another simultaneous incident, a Surf Life Saving Duty Officer responded and was tasked with Incident Coordinator responsibilities on scene, working under Police Incident Control and providing critical operational leadership.  

RWCs (rescue water craft) from Karekare, Piha, United North Piha, and Bethells SLS clubs were deployed to conduct coordinated coastal and grid searches between Karekare and Mercer Bay. Lifeguards demonstrated advanced technical skills through rock-adjacent RWC operations, drift and tide assessments, and coordinated multi‑asset searches over several hours.  

Clothing belonging to the missing fisherman (a jacket and shoes) was located and recovered by lifeguards, providing important evidence to the Police and informing ongoing search planning. Strong communication was maintained between SurfCom, multiple SLS clubs, Police, Police Eagle helicopter, St John Ambulance, and Coastguard air patrol. The Duty Officer played a key role in coordinating surf assets, liaising with the Police, and ensuring a safe, structured, and efficient operation. Although the patient was not located, the search was conducted professionally and safely, with clear leadership, disciplined resource management, and appropriate stand‑down decisions made jointly with the police. 

Orewa SLSC 

Lifeguards: Faron Turner, Dawie Bester, Jonathan Copeland, Myka Copeland, Vicki Cunningham, Mark Freeman, Peter Jensen, Ella Kennedy, Mark Mccarthny, Glenn Pearce, Daniel Short, Travis Slattery, David Whitehead 

Orewa SLSC responded to a Police‑initiated SAR after a 35‑year‑old male kayaker capsized and went missing in the Waiwera River. The patient was not wearing a lifejacket and was last seen near the State Highway 1 bridge in tidal river conditions.  

Lifeguards rapidly deployed two IRBs and an RWC and conducted structured, methodical search operations throughout the estuary, river mouth, and surrounding coastal area. Searches included line‑abreast and opposing‑bank sweeps, rock and island searches, and slow creeping line searches in shallow, sand‑bar‑affected water at mid‑to‑low tide. Lifeguards demonstrated strong technical SAR skills in tidal-river environments, adapting search patterns based on tides, drift, and emerging evidence. Clothing items linked to the missing person (shoes and personal items) were located, providing critical information to the Police Maritime Unit and informing ongoing search planning.   

The operation required close coordination between Orewa lifeguards, SurfCom, the Police Maritime Unit (acting as Incident Control), Coastguard, and the Police Eagle helicopter, with lifeguards maintaining effective communication despite known radio repeater issues, which were escalated and resolved during the incident. Following an initial stand‑down, lifeguards remaining on scene located the missing person in the water and assisted the Police with body recovery, demonstrating persistence, situational awareness, and professionalism under difficult circumstances. 

Congratulations to all our March winners for your dedication. Even when a rescue or a search is unsuccessful, our team's care and skill make a difference to the communities we serve. 

If your club has been involved in an exceptional rescue, we encourage you to nominate it for bp Rescue of the Month. Submit your nomination via the online form here.