With the past few muggy days, Aucklanders may be in the market for a swim in one of the city's many beaches this weekend.
But Surf Life Saving NZ says potential beachgoers are encouraged to stay aware and alert to risks such as rips and remember to swim between the flags at patrolled beaches
According to Water Safety NZ, drowning is the number one cause of recreational death in the country with 68 people dying from drowning in 2018 and 92 in 2017.
Surf Lifesaving NZ CEO Paul Dalton says 39 percent of fatal drownings in the coastal environment occurred on surf beaches "which are notorious for rips".
According to Surf Lifesaving NZ, rips often look like calm patches amongst breaking waves.
Auckland is home to a number of surf beaches including the infamous Piha Beach - with this in mind Newshub has compiled a list of all Auckland beaches currently patrolled by Surf Lifesaving NZ and their patrol times:
West Coast:
- Bethells Beach 10am - 5pm
- North Piha 11am - 5pm
- Piha Beach 11am - 6pm
- KareKare Beach 10am - 5pm
- Karioitahi Beach 10am - 5pm
East Coast:
- Mairangi Bay 11am - 6pm
- Red Beach 11am - 5pm
- Orewa Beach 11am - 6pm
- Wenderholm Beach 11am - 6pm
- Omaha Beach 11am - 5pm
Swimmers are also encouraged to remember the 'Three Rs' for surviving a rip: relax, raise, and ride.
Surf Lifesaving NZ says if beach-goers get caught in a rip they should first stay calm, relax, and float to conserve energy, then raise their hand to signal for help and finally ride the rip until it stops and swimming back to shore is possible.
"Most fatal drownings are preventable and following key safety, advice is an important tool for keeping your loved ones safe at the beach this summer," says Dalton.
