Tauranga police are urging people to make sure they are well-equipped on the water following a kayak incident yesterday.
One kayaker became separated from his group when the trio went fishing in Arataki yesterday morning.
The kayaker sent a text to another member of the party, saying he'd become lost, however, a short time later, he capsized and lost his phone.
Luckily, he was able to right himself and paddle to shore near the Papamoa Domain, where he was found nearly four hours later.
Tauranga Police and Coastguard units from Tauranga and Maketū responded to the incident.