An urgent plea to take extra care when swimming at unpatrolled beaches after hours this summer

Four teenagers -- one male and three females -- were swimming at Auckland's Bethells Beach at sunset on Friday where they got caught in a rip.

One of the females was unable to save herself, and had to be rescued by Surf Life Saving -- who don't enter the surf more than 30 minutes after sunset.

Northern operations manager James Lea, says they recommend swimming when lifeguards are on and between flags.

He says West Coast beaches are renowned for holes, feeder currents and rips -- and it's very risky swimming there after hours with no patrol out.