Lifeguards at Whangamat\u0101 assisted a teenager who was \u201cassessed, given pain relief, stabilised\u201d before she was also taken to a hospital by ambulance.<\/p>\n
The Surf Life Saving spokeswoman said Hot Water Beach lifeguards managed a \u201cvery high\u201d beach attendance, with headcounts of more than 780.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey completed four rescues throughout the day and responded to several medical incidents involving swimmers who got into difficulty in the water, returning them safely to shore.\u201d<\/p>\n
The spokeswoman said there were no major or life-threatening rescues or searches on Monday. <\/p>\n
\u201cHowever, the volume of activities at Hot Water Beach reflects the pressure lifeguards face on busy summer days and the importance of early intervention.\u201d<\/p>\n
She said the rescues at Hot Water Beach happened outside the flags and a swimmer at Tairua was assisted from the water between the flags.<\/p>\n
Mount Maunganui Beach has challenging surf conditions, including rips, troughs and big waves. Photo \/ Supplied<\/p>\n
On Saturday, Hot Water Beach and Tairua lifeguards both rescued a person in difficulty.<\/p>\n
Hot Water Beach\u2019s search and rescue squad also responded to a person with a \u201cpre-existing heart condition having difficulty breathing\u201d, a Surf Life Saving spokesperson said.<\/p>\n
The lifeguards helped transport the patient, alongside an ambulance first-response unit, and called a rescue helicopter, the spokesperson said. <\/p>\n
\u201cAs the lifeguards arrived at the beach, they noticed two swimmers in difficulty and quickly launched a rescue craft and successfully rescued them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Also on Sunday, during a roaming patrol, Hot Water Beach lifeguards rescued another two swimmers at Cathedral Cove \u2013 there are no flagged patrol areas in this area.<\/p>\n
Hot Water Beach lifeguards also assisted 11 other swimmers from the water throughout the day. <\/p>\n
Lifeguards at Tay St and Mount Maunganui Beach rescued one and three swimmers, respectively, from outside the flagged areas.<\/p>\n
Over the weekend, two kayakers were rescued after flipping outside the flagged area near \u014chope Campground, and Whangamat\u0101 lifeguards assisted two kayakers stuck on Donut Island.<\/p>\n
The January 3 and 4 rescues were among 60 across the country on those days, which included 31 in the northern region (Auckland and Northland, including Raglan). <\/p>\n
The 31 rescues involved unsuccessful attempts to resuscitate two men<\/a> who were caught in a rip 300m north of a beach access way at Glinks Gully, about 17km south of Bayleys Beach patrol area.<\/p>\n Surf Life Saving NZ\u2019s club support and capability general manager Chris Emmett said surf lifeguards were busy at the weekend, in many cases responding to \u201cmultiple incidents\u201d across locations, while continuing to manage risk in flagged areas.<\/p>\n \u201cThe consistent trend is that most rescues occur outside the flagged area,\u201d Emmett said. <\/p>\n \u201cWe want to remind beachgoers that the red and yellow flags are always the safest place to swim on a beach at any moment in time.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen people choose to swim outside the flags, they are far more likely to encounter strong rips or sudden drop-offs that can quickly lead to trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n Emmett urged beachgoers to visit the Safeswim<\/a> website to check surf and weather conditions, and to confirm beaches patrolled by surf lifeguards. <\/p>\nSurf Life Saving NZ\u2019s club support and capability general manager Chris Emmett.<\/p>\n