KEY POINTS:
Tauranga beaches trapped six more swimmers yesterday, including a mass rescue of children at Papamoa.
It brought the number of rescues over the past two days to 16, as the summer's previously safe swimming spots are transformed into danger zones by rips, holes and trenches.
Three girls and a boy aged nine and 10 got into trouble about 4.45pm when they drifted out of Papamoa's flagged area into a rip and were quickly dragged out beyond their depth.
A lifeguard with a rescue board swam out to calm the children and help keep them afloat while the inflatable rescue boat (IRB) was sent for. The IRB picked up all four and dropped them on the beach.
And Omanu's English exchange lifeguard, Dan Walsh from Bournemouth, ended up rescuing two people at 12.40pm after an elderly woman who went to the aid of a boy caught in a rip got into difficulties too.
Mr Walsh dragged both to safety using a rescue tube - his second double save in two days.
And with adverse surf conditions showing no sign of letting up, lifeguards are bracing themselves for more busy days.
- BAY OF PLENTY TIMES
