Photo: Coastguard / Supplied
Volunteers involved in a search and rescue exercise on Saturday were given a taste of the real thing when a group of kayakers got into trouble.
The three kayakers were blown offshore by strong wind and sea conditions at Whangamatā on the Coromandel Peninsula.
A paddleboarder who was among the group made it safely to shore.
However, the Whangamatā Volunteer Coastguard found one kayaker off Whangamatā and the others in the water at Onemana, around 8km away.
Coastguard unit support manager Murray Whitehead said a number of Coastguard volunteers, Surf Life Saving and police "assets" were in the area taking part in a planned search and rescue exercise.
The kayakers were retrieved "in good health" and taken to Coastguard Whangamatā's base for hot drinks, food and showers.
"This fantastic result highlights the value of Coastguard volunteers and other first responders coming together to train and enhance their search and rescue capabilities ahead of summer," Whitehead said.
The kayakers were were well-prepared for the conditions and were wearing wetsuits and lifejackets, he said.