Reflecting on another good season, Surf Life Saving Otago's concerns turn financial.
District manager Phil Hudson said it had been "business as usual" for the group over the six-month season, which finished at the weekend, despite funding "going backwards".
"It's not what it used to be," he said.
Surf Life Saving was in the same boat as every other volunteer organisation struggling in the economic climate, Mr Hudson said.
"We are able to keep delivering the same standard of service, but we are using our own cash services."
While National Jandal Day raised a "fantastic" $20,000 in December to support volunteers, new funding avenues would be sought, including finding a corporate sponsor, as money was required to upskill volunteers, he said.
Despite increased monetary concerns, nothing out of the ordinary occurred during the season other than the number of Hooker sea lions which made "quite regular visits" to the region's beaches.
Because of this, Surf Life Saving Otago took on an educational role to inform members of the public and visitors to Dunedin how to act around sea lions.
Statistically, the season was "very similar" to the last and, compared with other centres around New Zealand, Otago's patrol figures were low.
Nationally, surf patrols worked 177,131 hours, 9241 in Otago. Of the 1438 rescues nationally, 49 were in Otago.
Searches totalled 352 in New Zealand, including 13 in Otago. Of 2083 first aid events, 42 were in the region.
Surf Life Saving Otago focused on preventive actions aimed at stopping an accident from happening. Surf life-savers regularly picked up glass on the beach to avoid people cutting their feet, and also moved swimmers between the flags, Mr Hudson said.
Nationally, surf life-savers carried out 450,226 preventive actions, including 19,438 by Otago club members.
However, Mr Hudson was still compiling data and expected the numbers to grow as a few reports were still outstanding from clubs.
Though clubs could "always do with more volunteers", demand for members had been met over the season and he appreciated the sacrifices volunteers and their families made.
Patrols were finished on Otago beaches until October 31, but Mr Hudson urged people to dial 111 if any situation in which surf lifeguards were required arose.
