At peak hours, more than 9000 beachgoers enjoyed the hot weather at patrolled beaches this weekend – nearly double last weekend.

Surf Life Saving New Zealand (SLSNZ) volunteer lifeguards were busy with a variety of incidents to respond to, including multiple patients requiring first aid after medical events on beaches.

Preventative efforts also remain a key focus for lifeguards, with 957 preventative actions conducted – compared to 576 last weekend.

Across the country, lifeguards patrolled beaches for more than 8000 combined hours on Saturday and Sunday. Eleven rescues were performed, and first aid was provided during 35 minor incidents and seven major incidents.

“The role lifeguards play in keeping beachgoers safe is broad,” said Andy Kent, SLSNZ general manager of lifesaving.

“While our core focus is keeping people safe in the water, we are experiencing an increase in the administering of first aid to patients with pre-existing conditions or suffering medical events out of the water.

“Thankfully, our team of volunteer lifeguards are highly trained, and continue to provide critical care to beachgoers involved in a wide range of incidents.”

In the northern region, Waipu Cove and Ruakaka lifeguards assisted with a high number of patients experiencing medical events, including heart difficulties, seizures, and anaphylaxis. Patients were later transferred to ambulance or medical helicopters or transported to follow-up care by whānau members.

There was an increase in flag closures due to multiple bronze whaler shark sightings in the eastern region. The Mount Maunganui rescue water craft also assisted two people to shore who had been gathering shellfish at Motuotau Island.

A patient in the central region was lucky to be in close proximity to Levin-Waitarere lifeguards, after being kicked by a horse and suffering a suspected broken leg. Lifeguards provided first aid until the patient was transferred to an ambulance crew.

In the southern region, 20 surfers were assisted by lifeguards at Scarborough Beach. Two surfers were rescued by lifeguards, while a further 18 were assisted by an inflatable rescue boat after finding themselves in a rip.

Lifeguards are there to monitor hazards, assist in emergencies, and provide expert advice. For real-time beach conditions, visit www.safeswim.org.nz, and in case of an emergency, call 111 and ask for police.