Some lifeguards on Auckland's west coast are feeling used and abused.

Bethells Beach patrol captain Adrian Jenkins says he was called the fun police and told to f**k off when he warned a man with two small children about a rip.

On another occasion a woman expected him to stay an extra hour at the beach to make sure her daughter was okay in the water.

Adrian Jenkins told Chris Lynch it's a bit much.

"I think just the lack of respect, we're just taken for granted a little bit. We've seen so much go on at that beach, we know what happens if you don't adhere to the flag situation."

The poor behaviour prompted patrol captain Adrian Jenkins to write a letter to the Herald about the treatment of those who give up their time to keep others safe.

"Unfortunately for the first time in the 12 years since I have been volunteering a respectable member of the public (holding his two small children by the hand) launched into my approach with "you're just the fun police" and told me to 'f' off. My only crime was to let him know the area he was walking his two girls into had a strong pull around the island," he wrote.

"Generally, the public are very good and most appreciative. But do I wonder if all realise that we are volunteers and have lives too."

Jenkins was on patrol at Bethells Beach on January 7 when the man abused him.

"I went, 'Hang on, you don't need to be like that - I'm not being rude I'm just trying to explain'," he told the Herald.

"But he wouldn't let me talk. These two little girls he had with him on each arm were quite embarrassed."

Rather than copping more abuse Jenkins decided to retreat, and lifeguards kept a keen eye on the trio from afar.

A couple of days ago Jenkins was caught by surprise once again, when a woman at the beach expected the patrol team to stick around for an hour after they clocked off.

"She was asking us to stay and make sure that her daughter was okay in the water, and I said 'No, that's not going to happen'.

"I tried to explain why this was in a nice way and she said 'Look I don't want a lecture, just tell me if it's dangerous'."

Wild, rugged and beautiful Bethells Beach on Auckland's west coast can be dangerous for swimmers. Photo / File