Surfer rescued after drifting 1.5km offshore from Piha Beach

Thursday 27 November 2025 · 3 outlets · 4 reports · updated Thu 27 Nov 2025, 7:52pm

A hypothermic surfer was rescued in darkness on Tuesday night after being swept out to sea by a rip near Lion Rock. Emergency services and an Eagle helicopter located the man approximately 1.5km offshore. His family expressed gratitude to the responders following the multi-agency search effort.

How they headlined it

7h

11:45am12:56pm7:52pm

1. NZ HeraldThu 27 Nov 2025, 11:45am

   Hypothermic surfer plucked to safety after drifting 1.5km off West Auckland’s Piha Beach (opens in new tab)

   • Auckland mum grateful after son’s dramatic late-night Piha Beach water rescue (opens in new tab) Thu 27 Nov 2025, 7:52pm
2. StuffThu 27 Nov 2025, 12:13pm

   Surfer rescued in dramatic night-time search at Piha beach (opens in new tab)

3. 1NewsThu 27 Nov 2025, 12:56pm

   Dramatic night rescue after surfer dragged out to sea off Piha (opens in new tab)