‘Asking for trouble’ as some ignore rip warnings, advice

KEEPING SWIMMERS SAFE: Volunteers at the district’s surf lifesaving clubs set aside family time on Christmas Day to put up patrol flags on the main beaches to keep the public safe on the big day, and it was appreciated. A woman leaving Wainui Beach after a fun few hours said: “thank you for looking after us.” The Wainui patrol for much of the day included (from left) Hannah Webb, Ruby Lobb, Nick Webb, Louis Birkhead, Ashley Donaldson, Andrew Putnam and Lyall Evans. Absent: John Minogue and Murray Robertson. Picture supplied

The behaviour of a few beachgoers in the city and at Wainui at the weekend has concerned surf lifeguards, with some ignoring rip warning signs and verbal swim safe advice.

The Riversun Wainui patrol on Christmas Day noted a few people swimming near and in some cases actually in rip currents along the beach.

They had signs out warning of rips around the surf club part of the beach.

“Some people chose to ignore those signs and there were a couple of near-rescue situations,” a senior lifeguard on duty said.

“Ignoring the signs was a very dumb thing to do. It was asking for trouble.”

On a positive note, most people were very appreciative and thankful for the patrollers on duty, and made it known to them, he said.

“They came up and told us, which was really nice.”

Strong rips worked along Wainui Beach at the weekend.

“The swell was not big but some of the rips were running out quite a long way and were dangerous places to swim.”

Lifeguards in Gisborne city reported a lot of “flash” rip activity over the weekend — that is strong rips that develop quickly.

“There are also lots of holes along the beach where people can get out of their depth quickly,” a senior lifeguard said.

“We also had people ignore our rip signs and go swimming in places we considered to be dangerous.

“There were also people who ignored the advice of our lifeguards about safe swimming.”

SLSNZ Tairāwhiti club devleopment officer Nick Wagstaff urges swimmers to swim between the flags where they can be watched over by the patrol members.

“Rip signs are put out for good reason — to warn people of dangerous swimming locations — and the public should listen to the advice of lifeguards.”

Meanwhile, the week-day paid lifeguard patrols had had a “pretty quiet” first week, Mr Wagstaff said.

“But I imagine it will pick up for them as more holidaymakers and the R@V festival-goers arrive.”