Suspended search for missing surfer on Pāpāmoa beach

The search for a missing surfer on Pāpāmoa beach has been suspended.

A police spokeswoman said the search would not resume without further information.

” We have received no reports of missing persons. A search was completed on the coast today with no results, “the spokeswoman said.

But the police were still interested in hearing from anyone who believed they had relevant information.

Earlier today, the Tauranga police made an appeal about a man who was last seen surfing on Pāpāmoa beach last night.

Police received a call from a concerned member of the public who had seen a man surfing near the Top Ten Holiday Park in Pāpāmoa at around 5 p.m.

The surfer was later seen off shore at around 8pm.

The member of the public was concerned for his safety and called the police.

The Papamoa Surf Life Saving Club, two Coast Guard boats and two helicopters searched the area until midnight without sighting the surfer.

A search of the coast continued at first light this morning.

A surfer, Chris Peters, came to the beach at 8 a.m. today and saw what he thought were seekers in a small boat.

He said the surf was “tiny” and “harmless” this morning and he didn’t see how anyone could get in trouble. However, there was a slight detour to the right, he said.

I thought conditions were similar last night.

A reporter at the scene said there was a lot of activity on Pāpāmoa beach this morning, with groups saving lives and walking dogs.

Police are seeking information from anyone who has seen the surfer or who knows who he is, in case he has returned safely to shore.

They can call 105 and quote the event number P044412098.