A 15-year-old volunteer lifeguard has played a key role in three separate rescues during a demanding weekend at Pāpāmoa Beach.

Jayden Harris, a Pāpāmoa Surf Lifesaving Club volunteer, was at the beach on November 8-9 as powerful rips and deep channels formed along the shoreline near Harrison’s Cut and Pāpāmoa Beach.

Harris said the conditions were unforgiving. “Waves were over a metre high, with strong currents and unpredictable rips,” he said. “Compared to last summer, the hazards have changed dramatically – they’re greater and less forgiving.”

The final rescue stood out most for Harris – a swimmer nearly 400m offshore on an inflatable couch.

“What stood out was the swimmer’s lack of water safety awareness. We had been trying to move beachgoers toward the flags all day, but some still chose to swim in dangerous areas,” he said.

Multiple roles

Across the incidents, Harris took on multiple roles – from acting as a tube swimmer in two rescues to helping guide the IRB (inflatable rescue boat) crew to the drifting inflatable couch. His advanced first aid and rock rescue training proved essential.

Pāpāmoa Surf Lifesaving Club chairwoman Marama Mateparae said it’s in moments like these that staying calm and decisive “is everything”.

“We prepare for the worst – whether it’s resuscitation, oxygen administration, or minor first aid – but prevention is always better than rescue,” she said.

Harris’ surf lifesaving journey began at Pukehina Lifeguard Service, a club founded by his grandfather. After joining Junior Surf at age 5, he is now entering his second season as a volunteer lifeguard.

“Helping save lives that weekend reinforces why we do this. It’s about protecting people and making sure they get home safely,” the teen said.

Prioritise safety

The club is urging beachgoers to prioritise safety: swim between the flags, check conditions at safeswim.org.nz, supervise children closely, and call 111 for police if someone is in trouble. If caught in a rip, stay calm, float, ride it out, and raise your hand for help.

With conditions remaining unpredictable, Pāpāmoa Surf Lifesaving Club expects a busy summer.

“The beach is constantly changing, and these recent rescues show how quickly conditions can turn dangerous,” Mateparae said. “Our lifeguards are ready, but we need everyone to play their part – swim between the flags and make safety your priority. We want everyone to get home safely and enjoy a summer to remember for all the right reasons.”