Lifeguards warn tourists to respect sea

Austrian Martin Bruch is hauled from turbulent seas at South Piha. Picture / Kenny Rodger

Lifeguards patrolling Auckland's west coast are urging tourists to talk to them before entering the sea so they can learn about potential dangers at the notorious beaches.

A group of tourists boogie boarding at the southern end of Piha Beach were rescued yesterday after a rip dragged them out to sea. The three Brazilians, a Danish man and an Austrian were picked up by two inflatable rescue boats 150m from where they had been enjoying the surf.

Dean Storey, Surf Lifesaving Northern Region lifeguard development officer, said a large number of rescues in the region had involved tourists learning to surf.

"West coast beaches are not just playgrounds. They need to be respected and people really need to talk to lifeguards so they know the dangers at any given beach," he said.

The incident was one of 17 rescues carried out in large surf and powerful rips at Piha yesterday.

Ten competitors in an ironman competition had to be helped after being overpowered by huge waves.

In the Bay of Plenty, several swimmers had to be rescued after going to the aid of a 13-year-old boy at Maketu, near Tauranga.

The boy got into difficulty after swimming for about 20 minutes in waters off Bledisloe Park Motor Camp, police said.

Inspector Scott Webb of the northern communications centre said swimmers who tried to help him also got into trouble because of difficult currents.

The coastguard was called and a rescue boat from the Maketu Fire Service used to pick up the group, including the boy, who was taken to Tauranga Hospital with minor injuries.

The local surf club also assisted.