Surf lifesavers are pleading with the public to take care in the water after a spate of drownings.

Sea lice bites, swimmers' rash, summer rash - whatever you want to call it, it's rife at this time of year and drives swimmers crazy.

Men and unsupervised children will be the focus of beach safety campaigns this summer.

Shark sightings have prompted lifeguards at holiday hotspots to urge swimmers to take caution.

Three people had a lucky escape from the Waikato River after hydro dam gates opened a torrent of water onto them.