Boogieboarders should wear flippers, lifeguards warn

Western Bay lifeguards were kept busy yesterday and beachgoers are being urged to be more careful in the water.
Beaches were crowded with people yesterday at Mount Maunganui, Omanu and Papamoa - by far the largest numbers to flock there so far this summer.
But three visiting boogie boarders had to be rescued by Papamoa lifeguards, sparking a warning for all boogie boarders to use flippers when in the surf.
Three boys - two from Tokoroa and one from Wellington who were all aged between 10 and 11 - were on boogie boards without flippers. They became caught in a current and were unable to return to the beach unassisted.
Mount Maunganui lifeguards have also voiced concern about power boats and fishing boats coming too close to the beach, endangering swimmers and surfers. Some had passed along the beachfront less than 100m offshore.
"This was considerably dangerous with some boats passing less than 50 metres from swimmers and surfers," said head lifeguard Gareth Scholes.
The air may have been warm yesterday but most swimmers were only opting for quick dips as the water temperature hovered at around 14-15C - some 4 to 5 degrees below normal for this time of year.