Flash rips keeping Waitarere Beach surf lifeguards busy with rescues 14 Jan, 2021 01:07 AM 3 minutes to read Volunteer lifeguard Andrew Burns keeps watch at the annual Big Dig event at Waitarere Beach last week. Volunteer lifeguard Andrew Burns keeps watch at the annual Big Dig event at Waitarere Beach last week. Lifeguards at Waitarere Beach have been kept busy rescuing people from surf due to flash rips appearing at low tide, prompting a warning from those tasked with beach safety. A majority of incidents at the beach resulting in rescue in recent weeks have occurred at low tide, when strong undercurrents created by channels in the sand have caught swimmers by surprise.