The system is being developed by Warrington Surf Lifesaving Club member Charlotte Becconsall-Ryan, and has just won the DHL innovation of the year award at the Surf Lifesaving New Zealand national awards of excellence.
She said the system used aerial surveying, carried out using drones or webcams which capture a series of images along a coastal region.
Artificial intelligence was then used to detect which images contained rips.
She said the end goal of the rip detection system was to provide the public with localised ocean safety information, specifically identifying hazardous coastal regions and reporting these publicly.
Beach users could then make better-informed decisions and keep themselves safe, she said.
"I was super stoked to win the award.
"A lot of work has gone into this project over the last couple of years, so it's great that people are excited about it.
"I'm really looking forward to continuing work on it and seeing it live on our beaches, providing value to the public."
SLSNZ chief executive Paul Dalton said the national awards were a great opportunity to acknowledge the exceptional achievements of lifeguards, officials, coaches, organisers, athletes and more.
