Hopes swimmer missing at Waimakariri River will be found today

The police dive squad has joined the search for a man who failed to return from the Waimakariri River on Saturday night.

Police were called about 6.45pm when the man's friends were unable to locate him after he had gone for a swim near the Waimakariri Bridge.

A spokesperson said the Police National Dive Squad will arrive on Monday morning to "assist in the search for the swimmer missing in the Waimakariri River".

"Their search efforts will focus on the area between the two bridges, the State Highway 1 bridge and the Old Waimakariri bridge."

Police were called when the man's friends could not find him after he went swimming near the Waimakariri Bridge.

Despite police searching the river with help from the Kaiapoi Coastguard on Saturday night, the man could not be found.

The Kaiapoi Coastguard crew is hoping the swimmer will be found.

President Logan Pryce said they took a boat up the river late on Saturday night as far as the bridge, but were unable to find him.

"We always hope for a good outcome when these sorts of things happen but hopefully we can bring this guy home today would be nice."

He said river conditions were fine at the time.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call 105 and quote file number 210130/5446.