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A pair of Tauranga firefighters jumped on a surfboard and a kayak to help rescue two men who were swept into the channel near Maungatapu Bridge this afternoon after trying to rescue a dog.

Firefighters helped to rescue two swimmers who are believed to have been caught in the current near Maungatapu Bridge. Photos by: Cameron Avery.

Tauranga Fire Brigade senior firefighter and keen surfer Tim Pearce used a surfboard, borrowed from a passer-by, to help rescue the two men who were seen getting into difficulties in the current about midday. Firefighters also broke into nearby resident and senior firefighter Brendon Dunn's shed to use his kayak.

Tauranga Fire Brigade senior station officer Len Sabin says it was an unusual situation where there wasn't anyone available on the water to help.

'During the response, Maritime New Zealand and Tauranga Coastguard were contacted but Coastguard didn't have any boats available. So they put a mayday callout to any boats in the area to make their way to the area – but there was just nobody around.

'That didn't leave us many options. The police had a chopper on its way but we didn't know how long those people had been in the water so we thought we'd better do something in the meantime.”

Len says Tim, on his surfboard, and Brendon, on his kayak, both got to the men as the rescue helicopter arrived.

'Not long after they got there to assist, the men made their way closer to the shallows. They were exhausted and a little bit embarrassed I think.”

According to Len, the tide had turned about two hours before the incident. He says it appears the two men got swept away into the channel.

In a media statement, Tauranga police say they were told of a man getting into difficulty in the water by Maungatapu Bridge just before midday.

They say the man entered the water to rescue a dog that had been swept out by a strong out going current.

"A second member of the public who saw the incident unfolding also entered the water and swam out to the dog.

"The dog's owner returned to shore and the second male continued to swim towards the dog. The man swimming out to the dog was taken by the outgoing current and swept out further into the channel."

Police say a Tauranga police officer, who is also a tri-athlete with strong swimming ability, jumped into the water and started swimming to the man. "He reassured him that help was on the way and kept him calm."

The pair made it to shore 'tired but uninjured' after spending 40 minutes in the water.

The man's dog returned to shore unaided as well.

Senior Sergeant Shannon Clifford says police are pleased that all are safe.

"The current was extremely strong. Our police officer did a very good job meeting up with the man, keeping him calm and assisting him back to shore.

"We do not advise public to enter the water especially given the treacherous tidal conditions that we saw today."

Shannon says the man who had gone to the dog's aid was saved by his knowledge around water safety and what to do when caught in a current or rip.

If you get caught in a rip: Don't panic, don't try to swim against the rip back to shore, let the rip carry you out until the current subsides - then swim parallel to the beach for 30m-40m before swimming back to shore. If you get tired or become frightened, stay calm, raise your arm, call for help and wait for assistance.

For more information visit www.watersafety.org.nz/resources-and-safety-tips

Police also wish to acknowledge the coordinated effort of the female paddleboarder, fire, coastguard and Westpac Rescue Helicopter staff.