Editorial: Ocean carries hidden danger

Lifeguards on patrol on Omanu beach. Photo / George Novak.

Like many locals I enjoy the Bay's beautiful beaches and am happy they attract so many visitors who can also share in their beauty.

But the surf has its dangers. In the Bay of Plenty Times Weekend, Rebecca Savory reported that on Christmas Day alone, 21 people were pulled from the dangerous surf in little more than two hours between Mount Maunganui and Omanu beach, and this weekend there were 24 rescues along Eastern Bay of Plenty beaches.

It is not just tourists that need to be aware of the potential danger on our beaches, as I discovered on Saturday afternoon when, with friends of mine, including two teenage girls, we decided to take the dog to the beach and go for a quick swim.

When we got down to the water off Tay St, I quickly saw how rough the currents and waves were, and I asked the two girls, aged 12 and 13, whether they were confident in the water and if they could read the rips.

I got two yesses and a "drop the mum-atude" roll of the eyes.

I've always been an ocean-lover but I know my limits when it comes to the water.

The two girls and I headed out as my friend sat on the beach with the dog.

At chest depth I knew we shouldn't head out any farther. I'm almost 180cm tall and I could feel the currents surging me out into the choppy waves.

At the same moment the 12-year-old, who was already farther out than I was, knew she was in trouble - she could no longer touch the bottom and she started to get sucked out.

With my heels dug into the sand I tried to reach for her and within a few seconds I knew our fun day at the beach could go very wrong.

I quickly swam to her, put her under my arm and walked against the currents back in.

It was all over within another few seconds, but I was really scared she could have been taken out. We moved down the beach a bit to where others were swimming and I took over dog-guarding duty and watched as the three of them headed back out.

Be careful out there. The sea, though beautiful, can be a treacherous place. Take heed of the conditions, know your limits and be cautious. Swim between the flags.