Thousands hit beaches but few are brave enough to dive in

Supervision and surveillance are the key messages from Surf Lifesaving. Photo / Chris Gorman

Lifeguards across the upper North Island have unfurled the flags and dusted off their famous Speedos for a "cracker" start to another surf lifesaving season.

Up to 300 volunteers were on duty from Whangamata to the Far North this weekend, with up to 1000 people at some beaches.

Piha Surf Lifesaving Club captain Tony Featherstone said perfect weather on Saturday drew big crowds and suggested it would be a long, busy season.

"Other than the water temperature, [Saturday] was like a midsummer day. It was a cracker. Summer is definitely here."

Fine but partly cloudy weather continued yesterday, but some rain is forecast for today.

Piha had had 1000 people at its peak, but lifesavers had little work as few swimmers tempted the chilly waters, Mr Featherstone said.

Instead, lifesavers had become attractions in themselves, with more people approaching them in recent years and many asking to have photos taken with them, he said.

One North Shore family drove to Piha yesterday just to see the lifesavers in action.

Grant Hill said he had come with wife Amanda to show sons Matthew, 8, and Nathan, 5, the beach's rough waters.

"We wanted to see the surf lifesavers we see on television."

But the same rugged coast and lifesaving that attracted them to Piha made him concerned for the safety of his children, he said.

"I don't let them get in past their knees. I draw the line at the waist. Maybe when they get a little older ... [but] I've heard of all the rescues they have here. I'm probably being a paranoid dad."

Surf Lifesaving NZ chief executive Geoff Barry said the organisation was "in good health", with volunteer numbers up.

Nationally, surf-lifesavers carried out 1300 rescues and took part in 285 searches last season, with volunteers conducting 194,846 hours worth of patrols - equivalent to more than 22 years.

However, funding was a perennial problem and the recession had seen a number of the usual income sources dry up, Mr Barry said.

It costs about $15 million a year to run surf lifesaving nationally, the bulk of which comes from community trusts and local government.

Community trusts are not getting their usual return on investments, and takings from pub poker machines, which provide about 20 per cent of surf lifesaving income, are also down, he said.

Although the tough financial times were unlikely to have much direct effect this year, a shortage of cash could cause problems when the organisation came to replace or repair equipment - including its 180-odd inflatable lifeboats - in the 2010/2011 season.

Safety-wise, the swim-between-the-flags mantra will be repeated this summer, but the organisation is also intent on pushing the need for "supervision and surveillance" - no matter what the age of the swimmer.

Adults need to watch out for one another while at the water, Mr Barry said, and surf lifesaving will be telling swimmers not to go swimming alone.

"There's safety in numbers, and there's safety in knowledge."

And supervision of children did not simply mean keeping an eye on youngsters from the comfort of a beach blanket, Mr Barry said.

"Supervision means arm's length."

Other areas resume operations throughout November. The surf lifesaving season runs until Easter.

PATROLS STARTED THIS WEEKEND

Whangarei Heads, Ruakaka Beach, Waipu Cove, Mangawhai Heads, Omaha Beach, Orewa Beach, Red Beach, Mairangi Bay, Muriwai Beach, Bethells Beach, North & South Piha Beach, Karekare Beach, Karioitahi Beach, Sunset Beach (Port Waikato), Ngarunui Beach (Raglan), Hot Water Beach, Waihi Beach, Whangamata Beach, Main Beach (Mt Maunganui), Omanu Beach, Paekakariki Beach (Kapiti Coast), Riversdale Beach (Wairarapa)
Monday: Onemana Beach, Papamoa Beach

Surviving the summer

* Swim between the flags.
* Never swim or surf alone.
* Be careful in moving water.
* Watch out around rocks.