The weekend's dramatic surf rescue at Mount Maunganui is another example of just how powerful and dangerous the ocean can be.
Three young siblings got into trouble in a rip near Tay St beach on Saturday - and two of them would almost certainly have drowned had it not been for threesurfers who rescued them.
The children were among six siblings from a Tauranga family who were in the water and being supervised by an adult.
Anyone reading the account of this rescue on page one of the Bay of Plenty Times today will be left in no doubt just how close this came to being a tragedy.
This case highlights the dangers of swimming at our beaches.
Water safety has been in the headlines this year with the Bay of Plenty Times Weekend focusing on the issue on February 26.
At that time, eight people had drowned in the region this year and 30 nationally.
Clearly, learning to swim is crucial for all children but even then the power and unpredictable nature of the ocean means it is a dangerous place.
It deserves everyone's respect.
The weekend's incident serves as a warning and demonstrates just how critical it is for everyone to swim between the flags, no matter how good a swimmer they are.
At least then, anyone who gets into trouble has the best possible chance of being seen and being rescued by a trained lifeguard.
People who don't swim between the flags are putting their lives at risk.
The rescuers from Saturday modestly say they are not heroes.
But they are.
If they hadn't been around a local family would most likely today be in mourning rather than counting their blessings.
