Latest fromSurf Life Saving

'You have to survive this': New dad's fight for life after drowning scare
As he began to lose hope, Paul Gillick thought of his partner and 3-month-old daughter.

In the deep end: Teen lifeguard saves struggling 80-year-old's life
The man was one of six saved on the beach by lifeguards in the past three days.

Surf lifesaver's Christmas Day search effort recognised
Because of the lifeguards' actions, the dead man returned to his family that day.

Search resumes for person missing at Karekare
A man who failed to resurface at a swimming hole has not yet been found.

Body found in search for missing Dunedin swimmer, aged 14
Police believe it is the 14-year-old, who failed to return to shore three days ago.

One beach, five minutes, six rescues
So far this summer, fewer people have had to be saved by lifeguards.

Local Focus: Wave goodbye to cyclone swells
Huge waves to subside just in time for the long weekend. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Wild surf warning: Cyclone threatens to cause large waves on Monday
Strong rips and big waves are expected for beaches on Monday.

Woman dies on Taranaki beach after being caught in rip
Lifeguards found the woman face down in the water after she was pulled out to sea.

'The waves basically slammed us - then the boat started sinking'
As Chris Atkinson struggled to stay afloat he worried about his hypothermic fishing pal.

Surf patrols on education mission and winning Lotto numbers
Lifeguards take skills on the road; check on the winning Lotto numbers.

Local Focus: Life between the flags
A day in the life of a lifeguard. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Local Focus: First beach rescue of 2020 makes for 'Big Wednesday' at the mouth
Layton Comp's first rescue, also the first of the year. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

A naked Frenchman should have drowned. Somehow he lived to hug me
Freezing, exhausted and having accepted death. The look on his face is one I won't forget.

Youth group leader's impossible call – her own survival or the 10yo she was saving
Woman trying to save drowning boy forced to make one of the hardest decisions of her life.

'Someone was swept out and I felt sick': Lifeguards open up about west coast patrols
"I heard someone had got swept out and I felt sick. I almost went back to vomit."

Saving lives for 86 years: The guardians of the beaches
From line and reel to IRBS - the Surf Lifesaving NZ history.

Revealed: The real cost of saving lives at NZ's beaches
Lifeguards pay membership fees and for their own uniforms so they can save lives

'No one is stronger than a rip': How to spot one and what to do
And what to do when you get stuck.

Beach rescue terror: 'I was screaming... I nearly died'
Renae Samson and her partner nearly drowned after ignoring warnings from lifeguards.

10 things that could save your life at the beach this summer
16 people died at the beach last summer, some of whom ignored basic safety rules.

'I started to freak out': What happens when you're caught in a rip
Another couple of minutes after trio caught in a rip may not have survived.

'In less than 10 minutes he would have drowned'
Lifeguard Jimmy Kendrick speaks of saving three lives in one rescue in West Auckland.

Four saved in dramatic Maketū water rescue
"I had a quick look out the window and could see four heads floating."

Why do so many people die at our beaches?
People don't have enough respect for the sea and the result is often deadly.

Fight to save drowned woman's life: 'He did CPR for half an hour'
Tragedy played out over VHF radio.

Our grim toll: Drowning deaths reach four in three days
The water is incredibly inviting and incredibly unforgiving, water safety boss says.

Water safety urged after yacht rescue of pair without radio
The pair were sailing along remote South Island coastline without a Marine VHS radio.

Person rescued from Mount Maunganui beach
One person experienced difficulty in the water near Marine Parade.