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Warriors players are continuing to help in the search for young teammate Sonny Fai, believed to have drowned after going to the aid of his brother at Bethells Beach last weekend.
The team have paid for a helicopter to search the beach and plan to be back at the waterline again this weekend if the weather allows.
Some of the younger players have also been spending time with Fai's family - offering support during an agonising wait for any news.
The 20-year-old forward was last seen in the surf on Sunday night when he went to the aid of his brother, who was caught in a rip.
Throughout the week police, lifeguards, teammates, friends and family have all scoured the beach - from the air, sea and land - but his body is yet to be found.
His cousin Asalele Pinono told the Weekend Herald the family would continue to search for Fai throughout the weekend and probably well into next week.
Their biggest wish is for his body to be returned to them.
Warriors team manager Don Mann said the team had given the family some financial support and planned to pay tribute to Fai at some stage.
Fai is one of 11 people to be claimed by the water this year. The tally does not include Auckland woman Irina Yun, 36, who is missing but presumed to have drowned in Mt Aspiring National Park.
It also does not include a 33-year-old who died at the Huntly Aquatic Centre yesterday morning.
It has not yet been determined if he died from a medical condition or drowning.
Water Safety NZ general manager Matt Claridge said nine people drowned in the first nine days of 2008, making this year's drowning toll worse than at the same time last year.
He said it was a timely reminder for people to take care on the water, always wear life jackets and heed safety warnings when out on boats or jetskis and for children to always be supervised around water.
