KEY POINTS:
Emergency services were called to Muriwai Beach this afternoon following reports from a member of the public that a surfer was in difficultly.
Coastguard, the Police Eagle helicopter and Westpac Rescue helicopter all headed to the West Coast Beach only to find the distressed surfer was actually a seal who had made its way to shore and was sunning itself on the beach.
The call for help had been made after a person saw the seal swimming with a group of surfers before moving away. The person thought the seal was a surfer who had drifted away from the group and got into difficulties.
The services have all since been stood down, grateful for happy, albeit unusual, ending for a change.
