Lifeguards remain cool as 'gunman' threatens to kill

Raglan patrol captain Travis Slattery says the lifeguards had to barricade themselves in their clubrooms. Photo / Christine Cornege

Raglan lifeguards barricaded themselves into their clubhouse for hours while a hysterical man threatened to kill them.

With what appeared to be a gun slung over his shoulder, the man screamed, threw bottles and raced his car around the carpark on Monday night.

At first lifeguards, who were watching a movie, thought he was a harmless drunk.

But then he tried to get inside.

"He was yelling at us 'Do you want to die tonight'," said patrol captain Travis Slattery.

The seven guards, aged between 18 and their late 20s, included several Americans on exchange.

Mr Slattery said they were pretty concerned, but held up well. After their busiest day of the season - 45 water rescues and more than 1000 warnings on Saturday - the guards were used to pressure.

"Luckily with what we do on the beach most of the boys can keep a level head pretty well."

Police were alerted at 12.30am and waited for armed back-up from Hamilton before taking the man into custody.

Police spokesman Andrew McAlley said he had been referred for a psychiatric assessment.

The "gun" turned out to be a walking stick.

Mr Slattery said guards had been ready for a quiet week after a huge Saturday.

An average weekend day usually brought about 10 rescues and a couple of hundred warnings, he said.

"It was one of the hottest days we've had in a while and the weather forecast for once was right, that Saturday was going to be the only nice day of the weekend."