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Eastern region lifeguards have rescued 22 people in the past three days, bringing the total number of rescues across the region to 144 since summer patrols began. 

Another 151 people were assisted from the water in the eastern region, a Surf Life Saving NZ spokeswoman said. 

The total number of rescues nationwide from October 25 to January 5 stands at 418, with another 448 people assisted from the water and 83 searches, she said. 

Yesterday, there were eight rescues across three eastern region beaches – Waihī, Whangamatā and Hot Water Beach. 

At Waihī Beach, near Brighton Reserve, a man was helped out of the water by members of the public and lifeguards cared for him until ambulance crews arrived and took him to hospital. 

Lifeguards at Whangamatā assisted a teenager who was “assessed, given pain relief, stabilised” before she was also taken to a hospital by ambulance. 

The Surf Life Saving spokeswoman said Hot Water Beach lifeguards managed a “very high” beach attendance, with headcounts of more than 780. 

“They 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.” 

The spokeswoman said there were no major or life-threatening rescues or searches on Monday. 

“However, the volume of activities at Hot Water Beach reflects the pressure lifeguards face on busy summer days and the importance of early intervention.” 

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. 

Mount Maunganui Beach has challenging surf conditions, including rips, troughs and big waves. Photo / Supplied 

On Saturday, Hot Water Beach and Tairua lifeguards both rescued a person in difficulty. 

Hot Water Beach’s search and rescue squad also responded to a person with a “pre-existing heart condition having difficulty breathing”, a Surf Life Saving spokesperson said. 

The lifeguards helped transport the patient, alongside an ambulance first-response unit, and called a rescue helicopter, the spokesperson said. 

“As the lifeguards arrived at the beach, they noticed two swimmers in difficulty and quickly launched a rescue craft and successfully rescued them.” 

Also on Sunday, during a roaming patrol, Hot Water Beach lifeguards rescued another two swimmers at Cathedral Cove – there are no flagged patrol areas in this area. 

Hot Water Beach lifeguards also assisted 11 other swimmers from the water throughout the day. 

Lifeguards at Tay St and Mount Maunganui Beach rescued one and three swimmers, respectively, from outside the flagged areas. 

Over the weekend, two kayakers were rescued after flipping outside the flagged area near Ōhope Campground, and Whangamatā lifeguards assisted two kayakers stuck on Donut Island. 

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). 

The 31 rescues involved unsuccessful attempts to resuscitate two men who were caught in a rip 300m north of a beach access way at Glinks Gully, about 17km south of Bayleys Beach patrol area. 

Surf Life Saving NZ’s club support and capability general manager Chris Emmett. 

Surf Life Saving NZ’s club support and capability general manager Chris Emmett said surf lifeguards were busy at the weekend, in many cases responding to “multiple incidents” across locations, while continuing to manage risk in flagged areas. 

“The consistent trend is that most rescues occur outside the flagged area,” Emmett said. 

“We 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. 

“When 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.” 

Emmett urged beachgoers to visit the Safeswim website to check surf and weather conditions, and to confirm beaches patrolled by surf lifeguards. 

Sandra Conchie is a senior journalist at the Bay of Plenty Times and Rotorua Daily Post who has been a journalist for 25 years. She mainly covers police, court and other justice stories, as well as general news. She has been a Canon Media Awards regional/community reporter of the year.