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UPDATED 11.08am: Lifeguards say a lack of funding is putting swimmers at risk in Waikato and Northland this summer.

The Surf Lifesaving Northern Region is short $41,000 in Raglan and $30,000 in Northland.

The Hamilton City Council withdrew funding for Raglan this year, and the Northland Regional Council hasn't funded the full $150,000 needed.

Raglan patrols have been cut from nine weeks to five, and in Northland Baylys and Ripiro beaches won't be patrolled.

Northern Regional Acting CEO Matthew Williams said they're going to have to cut patrols from December through to February.

"In a year we've had a very large amount of drowning, and we are at the coalface preventing those."

"Sadly despite the best efforts from all parties, we don't have the level of funding that is necessary for the levels of service."

Williams is angry that they haven't been able to get enough funding from local councils.

"Who's responsible for this? Where does this funding come from?"

"We provide a volunteer service, but there is a cost to this."