Quick action saves teen at notorious Auckland beach

One of Auckland's most notorious beaches nearly claimed its first drowning victim of the summer yesterday after a teenager was dragged unconscious from the surf.

"A girl was standing by the water's edge screaming for help," said Piha Domain Camp manager Fiona Anderson, one of four residents on call for emergencies at the small west coast settlement and popular surfing beach.

A couple walking their dog raised the alarm and a nearby Piha pre-school worker, known locally as "JP", who also works as a chef at Piha's bowling club, raced down the beach, grabbed a surfboard from one of the teenager's friends, paddled out to the stricken swimmer and managed to drag him ashore.

The youth, wearing board shorts, had disappeared below the surface at least twice after being in the water for at least half an hour.

"Once they have disappeared like that they're usually history out here," Ms Anderson said.

"He told me as we bundled him into the ambulance that he had never swum at Piha before."

By the time she arrived at the scene north of Lion Rock with oxygen, the teenager was vomiting seawater and drifting in and out of consciousness but he was expected to recover, she said.

Surf Life Saving northern region spokesman Andy Kent said swimming at Piha was always dangerous, but the risks were greater without lifeguards on duty.

Most lifeguards start patrolling beaches at Labour Weekend.