Northland lifeguards rescue 12 swimmers from rip off Mangawhai Heads beach

Ruakaka volunteer lifeguards from left, Connor Mackereth, Hannah Turner and Kyran Gillespie on the last day of patrols.Photo / Tania Whyte

A group of 12 swimmers were plucked from the sea after they were caught up in a rip not far from the beach. The incident serves as a warning for beachgoers as lifeguards sign off for the summer season.

The rescue was off Mangawhai Heads beach on Saturday after the group swam outside the red flags and got into trouble in a flash rip about midday.

Yesterday was the last day of patrols by lifeguards at Northland beaches and guards have advised people to heed water safety messages.

Mangawhai Heads Surf Lifesaving Club spokesman Tony Baker said between 300 and 400 people each day took advantage of the sunny weather and warm waters and flocked to the beach over the Easter weekend.

On Saturday, he said a rip formed at low tide, following a two-metre swell about 20 metres offshore.

"We had about 12 lifeguards, including two new lifeguards on patrol that day, and they pulled the group out of the water and brought them to the beach. They were fine.

"If the lifeguards were not around, there would have been real dramas. The message we want to give people who go to the beach between now until the Labour weekend when lifeguards are back is 'if in doubt, stay out," Mr Baker said.

He said beachgoers should know what their swimming capabilities were and they should never be in the water alone.

About 300 people took to the beach and a similar number were at Uretiti yesterday.Ruakaka surf club captain Tania Ahrens said it has been a quiet summer and it seemed water safety messages were getting through to people.

"The water has been really warm, very clear and clean and people are still enjoying their time at the beach and heeding safety messages which is fantastic."

Ms Ahrens said the best advice to people at all times, especially when lifeguards were not on patrol, was not to swim alone and to know your limits.

MetService meteorologist April Clark said sea temperatures in Northland were between 20C and 22C at present and the region should expect fine weather for the rest of this week.

Day temperatures will be in the mid 20s, dropping to around 15C at night.