A long weekend in Auckland combined with sweltering temperatures has left lifeguards burnt out.
But the longer hours they've been putting in combined with people being more responsible is being credited with no-one drowning this weekend.
The Northern Region, which covers 22 beaches from Raglan on the west coast, around North Cape and city beaches, has been trying longer patrolling hours.
Region operations manager Adam Wooler said since Christmas there has been a 170 per cent increase in the amount of rescues compared to the same period last summer.
"Patrols have been going to at least 7pm rather than 6pm and we think this has made a difference to the outcomes.
"The one statistic that isn't up for the northern region is drownings, thus far we've been able to avoid any tragic outcomes," Mr Wooler said.
He said life-guards can't take all the credit with people being well behaved, swimming between the flags and following life-guards advice.
"The patrols have increased because a study found that rescues usually happen after hours.
"Recent weekends have left lifeguards literally shattered, at the end of patrolling days that often extend eight hours."
He said it was likely the increased patrols - which run until Waitangi Day - will be extended to Northland and Waikato beaches next summer.
