Surfers are being warned of dangerous currents at a pair of neighbouring Dunedin beaches where there has been a spate of rescues in the past two weeks.
Two surfers who were swept away by the current at Tomahawk Beach got back to shore safely with the help of some surf lifesavers on Tuesday.
This was the fourth rescue in a fortnight in the area, one of which involved a LandSar helicopter winching a stranded surfer from the rocks on Bird Island.
Surf Lifesaving New Zealand Otago-Southland club development officer Brent Matehaere said the two beaches were fraught with strong currents, which could be seen from the shore.
"Due to Bird Island in the middle of Smails Beach and Tomahawk ... the water shifts around quite significantly.
"There are really strong currents in that area and it’s important [surfers] understand if they’re stuck in those currents, they’re going to be out there for a while.
It was a "significant danger spot" and there needed to be more warning signage.
There were safer surfing beaches, Mr Matehaere said.
"There's plenty of surf breaks in Dunedin so there is plenty of opportunity."
