2013 Whangamata Beach Hop 'one of the best' (+photos)

Sony Beach Hop 13 at Whangamata was a resounding success with fine clear days and rain falling at night just in time to deter any would-be troublemakers.

By all accounts, this year's Beach Hop was the biggest - with a crowd estimated by organisers to be more than the 100,000 who attended last year - and the best, with more prizes than ever, including three cars and a caravan. First-timers to the Hop were blown away with the magnitude of the event, held in a town with a permanent population of about 3500.

Organised again by volunteer Noddy Watts and his crew of fellow volunteers, the festival is estimated to bring at least $2 million into the town over the five days. Mr Watts described this year's event as one of the best. "It was a great event - a really good atmosphere. Everyone seemed to be really well behaved and I haven't heard of anything major happening."

Whangamata Police Sergeant Vince Ranger said he was happy overall with the behaviour of the large crowd. "We had 195 arrests over the weekend, which is comparable with last year. Last year's Beach Hop was one of the best we've had and this year was much the same from my point of view."

Mr Ranger said most arrests were alcohol-related and there were a few minor assaults.

"It was disappointing too that there was some shoplifting, with clothing the main target. It's unfortunate but with large events such as Beach Hop - and I'm not putting the event down in any way; it's a great event for the town - they tend to bring in the criminals who are intent on mischief," Mr Ranger said.

The Whangamata Fire Brigade had a quiet Beach Hop too. Brigade publicist, deputy chief fire officer Jim Barker said they were called to the service station across the road on Sunday where an elderly Tauranga man was suffering shortness of breath.

"The other case was about an hour later when a father brought in his son, aged about six to eight, with an exhaust burn.

"He was a brave young kid too. We gave him first aid treatment and sent them to the Whangamata Medical Centre," Mr Barker said.