Surf Lifesaving NZ (SLSNZ) Eastern region lifesaving manager Chaz Gibbons-Campbell said an off-duty Mount Maunganui lifeguard came across the man near Hart St when emergency services were already present.
Other lifeguards were called to assist, but they were not needed.
Hato Hone St John sent an ambulance, a rapid response unit, and an operations manager.
Gibbons-Campbell said iwi have placed a rāhui (access restriction) on Mount Maunganui beach from Leisure Island to Omanu Surf Club and ask the public to stay out of the water until it is lifted.
There were strong currents and big swells at Mount Maunganui beach on Wednesday evening. Photo / Alex Cairns
He said the man was pulled from the water during low tide while there were “really strong currents”.
He said the bigger waves were about 1.5 metres.
“We’re finding that two hours either side of low tide is when the currents are really pulling off those banks. People are walking out when it’s shallow initially, then they step off into a deeper part of the ocean and get swept out.”
He advised the public, “if in doubt, stay out”, as lifeguards are not on patrol at the moment.
Bijou Johnson is a multimedia journalist based in the Bay of Plenty. A passionate writer and reader, she grew up in Tauranga and developed a love for journalism while exploring various disciplines at university. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Classical Studies from Massey University.