A low tide at Whangamatā Beach has revealed a sandbar out the front of the surf club, making an already busy season for lifeguards even busier.
The sandbar has created a strong shore break which can be dangerous - creating dumpy waves in the shallows.
Ben Goffin has been patrolling Whangamatā Beach for eight seasons now.
"We're not used to having a shore break at Whangamatā and a lot of our beachgoers aren't either," he said.
The club said an ambulance had to be called on a few occasions due to neck and face injuries caused by the sandbar, prompting a plea on social media from lifeguards to swim between the flags.
"I saw the post on the Whangamatā Facebook page," one beachgoer told Newshub. "I shared it with friends and family because clearly we don't want anyone getting injured."
It comes as the Whangamatā Surf Life Saving club is fundraising for a new headquarters.
Goffin said the club is "slowly falling apart".
"We do the best we can to keep it together but there's only so much duct tape and cable ties can hold."
He added the club is actively looking for donations for a revamp.
With the added stress of a troublesome sandbar, it’s keeping lifeguards on their toes this summer.
