{"id":209690,"date":"2025-12-31T08:13:13","date_gmt":"2025-12-31T08:13:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/209690\/"},"modified":"2025-12-31T08:13:13","modified_gmt":"2025-12-31T08:13:13","slug":"sunlive-warning-after-off-duty-guards-rescue-five","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/209690\/","title":{"rendered":"SunLive – Warning after off-duty guards rescue five"},"content":{"rendered":"

Five people were rescued from Waih\u012b Beach on Tuesday night after being swept into a rip nearly two hours after lifeguards had finished patrols.<\/p>\n

A further 20 swimmers were ordered from the water as hazardous conditions intensified along the coastline.<\/p>\n

Surf Life Saving New Zealand eastern region manager Chaz Gibbons\u2011Campbell said the incident unfolded about 8pm, well after the scheduled patrol had ended.<\/p>\n

Gibbons\u2011Campbell, who had spent the day assisting lifeguards at Waih\u012b Beach, said conditions had been challenging from the outset, with large, messy surf, strong swells and multiple rips in action.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was really hot, there were hundreds of people in the water, but the surf was big and messy and there were lots of rips working.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Waih\u012b

\nWaih\u012b Beach. Photo \/ David Hall<\/p>\n

While preventative action by lifeguards meant no rescues were required during patrol hours, conditions worsened into the evening as people continued to swim after guards had packed up for the day, Gibbons-Campbell said.<\/p>\n

At around 8pm, off-duty lifeguards noticed five swimmers caught in a rip directly off the surf club. The group had been pulled into a well-known fixed rip near a small river outlet and dragged about 200 metres offshore.<\/p>\n

The lifeguards grabbed rescue boards, paddled out and brought all five swimmers back to shore.<\/p>\n

\u201cLuckily, everyone was okay,\u201d Gibbons\u2011Campbell said.<\/p>\n

While on the beach, the team also directed another 20 swimmers from the water at various points along the shoreline.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt just wasn\u2019t safe. There was a big swell and rips right along the beach.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"

\nIRB at Waih\u012b Beach. Photo \/ Supplied.<\/p>\n

He warned that one of the most dangerous times to swim is often after patrols end, particularly in the early evening when tides shift and conditions change or worsen.<\/p>\n

\u201cYesterday and today, the most dangerous time is around 6pm when lifeguards are packing up. There\u2019s still a lot of people around, especially with events cancelled and warm, muggy weather.\u201d<\/p>\n

With New Year\u2019s Eve celebrations imminent, he urged people to avoid swimming outside patrol hours.<\/p>\n

\u201cI definitely do not recommend a midnight dip tonight, and even in the morning, please wait until lifeguards are on patrol at 10am.\u201d<\/p>\n

The hazardous conditions have been driven by a recent low-pressure system producing strong winds and heavy surf along east coast beaches, including the Bay of Plenty and Coromandel. Although the swell is expected to ease in coming days, significant water movement remains.<\/p>\n

Gibbons\u2011Campbell reiterated Surf Life Saving\u2019s core safety message:<\/p>\n

\u201cSwim between the flags, swim during patrol hours, and if in doubt, stay out.\u201d<\/p>\n

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