'Perfect' day for last public holiday of patrolled beaches

Thousands of people headed to the beach for Waitangi Day. Photo / Andrew Warner

The last public holiday of patrolled beaches provided a "perfect day" for families before lifeguards warned of big surf yet to come.

Beach-goers were warned changeable sea conditions could result in a higher chance of rips and big swells on Waitangi Day.

But local surf lifesavers said the day went smoothly as of yesterday afternoon, avoiding a repeat of Auckland Anniversary weekend when 24 rescues took place in similar, changing conditions.

Papamoa Surf Club captain Shaun Smith said it was a "perfect day" at the beach on Waitangi Day with no rescues.

"There is not particularly any currents and very small holes that aren't causing any trouble," Smith said.

While the currents did not bring any trouble for swimmers, it did give one beach-goer back his false teeth.

Smith said he had posted to Facebook about a beach-goer losing his false teeth while enjoying the beach near Parton Rd in Papamoa last Monday. Today false teeth were found at Hart St in Mount Maunganui.

"Eight days later he got his teeth back," Smith said.

"They just washed in with the high tidal movement. It probably saved him a couple of grands' worth of teeth."

Omanu Beach Surf Lifesaving Club patrol captain Saul Woodfinden said the club did not have to carry out any rescues but had been kept busy talking to beach-goers about safe spots to swim.

Woodfinden said the sea conditions were "pretty safe" today but he expected bigger surf heading in to next weekend.

"It is pretty busy here today," he said. "The swell should pick up especially on the weekend where we will probably get some big surf."

Mount Maunganui Lifeguard Service lifeguard Joanne Parry said the patrol had been "pretty quiet".

"There is still lots of swimmers but really safe conditions," Parry said.

Katrina Maaka said she and her 24-year-old son and daughter, 7, drove from Rotorua to Tauranga for the Waitangi Day commemorations before spending the day at Mount beach.

Maaka said the beach conditions were perfect for sunbathing and swimming between the flags.

"It was a great day out ... found it wasn't too hot," she said.