Surf Lifeguards rescued 1,342 people and spent over 194,000 hours patrolling New Zealand beaches this summer – highlighting a significant increase in volunteer patrol hours. Over 290 searches were conducted nationally and 93,000 ‘preventative actions’ were performed as guards continued to focus on preventative measures, averting the potential for a situation to turn into a rescue scenario.

“Our overall statistics in terms of recues, first aids and searches are similar to previous years but there has been a notable increase in volunteer patrol hours over the past five years. At the same time we’ve seen a downward trend in drowning numbers over the same period which highlights the inherent need for the essential service we provide,” said Grant Florence, Chief Executive Surf Life Saving New Zealand.

“Our statistics show we’re still seeing consistencies in drowning incidents where people are wearing inappropriate clothing and are unaware of hazardous surf conditions and rips. Thirty-five people have drowned so far this year, which is down on previous years but New Zealand still has one of highest drowning rates in the developed world. We’re constantly working towards reducing that number and ask people to take responsibility for their own safety when around water - whether it’s a river mouth, tidal estuary or a beach.” said Florence.

This summer Surf Life Saving also increased the number of beaches patrolled by Lifeguards by providing a Lifeguard service at Pakiri Beach – taking the national total of beaches patrolled up to 81.