It costs a young lifeguard $50 each time she goes on weekend patrol
Lifeguard knows the dangers all too well after nearly being swept away as a child.
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How many lives did lifeguards save at your beach last summer?
Search our interactive graphic to see how many rescues your club carried out last summer.
Unfunded lifeguards need your help to save lives this summer
It's costing volunteers lifeguards personally to keep us safe at the beach.
Between The Flags: Draevyn Joyce plucked from the waves
Focus: 12-year-old Draevyn Joyce, who cannot swim, is lucky to be alive after two strangers rescued him after he was swept out to sea at Himitangi Beach. Video / Mark Mitchell
Man caught in rip dies in Coromandel in the season's third tragic water death
Dramatic attempts to revive the man were unsuccessful.
Christmas Day water chaos: Sharks, orca sightings close Auckland beaches
Several paddleboarders reported seeing 2m-long shark close to shore.
'We can't be there 24/7': Heartbreak in Christmas beach tragedy
A man crabbing and a snorkeller have died in the water on Christmas Day.
Water tragedy: Second Christmas Day drowning in Northland
A person has drowned near Lake Taharoa in what is the second Christmas Day water death.
'Do not swim' warning: Shark sighted at Orewa Beach
Swimmers urged to avoid Orewa, Red and Hatfields Beaches after shark sighting.
17yo abandons ironman race to save man stuck on rocks
Cayleen Bester's life saving instincts kicked in when she spotted a man stuck on rocks.
Swept down a river and out to sea: 'She is a lady with a great will to live'
Woman walked out of surf hours later and 10km away. Her son, 6, had walked 2km for help
Piha lifeguard training turns real after fisherman swept off rocks
The lifeguards managed to save the fisherman's life at Piha on Sunday morning.
'I thought I was too late': Off-duty lifeguard rescues woman, boy
Wanting to go for a boogie board, he ended up saving two stranded swimmers.
Four teens blown 3.5km out to sea on inflatable kayaks
Offshore wind picks up as teens were playing just beyond the waves.
'Absolutely stoked': $5.2m surf lifesaving club rebuild to begin
Demolition starting soon: How lifeguard patrols will be affected this summer.
Pinched: Surf lifesaving club ute stolen
A valuable piece of equipment has been stolen from the Karekare Surf Lifesaving Club.
Swimmers, boaties and kids: Water Safety Month aims to save lives
Already this year, 57 people have died in the water in preventable incidents.
The heroic rescue that saved lives and the environment
Scottish couple issued a mayday call after their anchor snapped in rough seas.
Second body found on West Coast beach
At least one of the bodies believed to be that of a fisherman.
10 metre-plus waves: Wild weather on way for weekend
'There is a heightened risk for those people that may get in trouble in the water.'
Surf Lifeguards honoured after large scale rescue
Surf Life Savers who rescued 10 people in a massive beach rescue have been honoured.
Thirty seconds from drowning: Dramatic water rescue earns award
"Her initial response was 'thank god you guys were here, I thought I was gone'."
Survivor's story: Floating log saved him after Google Maps sea shortcut
Remopita Pongi owes his life to a piece of driftwood and his waterproof iPhone.
Lifeguard recalls rescue mission of three people in darkness
Emergency service worker said it was one of the most challenging jobs of his career.
Acutely hypothermic but alive; successful rescue from Port Waikato coast
The woman was so cold she went into cardiac arrest en-route to Auckland Hospital.
Lifeguards recognised for 'ballsy' rescues which saved lives
"They certainly saved lives."
Woman rescued, drives home after water incident
Emergency services were initially told people had been seen "being swept off rocks".
Whanganui paddlers make seamless transition
Whanganui paddlers Toby Brooke and Jack Clifton make seamless transition to ocean racing
Rogue beach wave: Hero dies saving partner, boy
Man saved partner and neighbour's son, but did not have energy left to save his own.
Lifeguards pull owner, son and her dogs from rip
Mum caught in rip trying to save dog wants people to remember to call 111 for water rescue
Waipū success shows promise for nationals
Waipū's Dinoco team walked away with a gold and silver at the North Island championships.
Extra lifeguard patrols added as sun, big waves stick around
Off-duty lifeguards made around 22 rescues this week
Boozed Brighton beachgoers rescued from rip
"The other guy thought that he'd be a saviour and he got taken out as well".