Western Bay surf lifeguards, from Maketu to Whangamata, carried out 323 rescues during summer - almost double the 168 they performed the previous season.
Mount Maunganui guards were the busiest in the country with 104 people rescued followed by Omanu with 85.
There were 53 rescues at Whangamata, 44 at Papamoa, 26 at Waihi Beach, 22 at Pukehina, seven at Whiritoa, and four each at Maketu and Bowentown.