Offshore breezes, dislocated shoulders, and “silliness” in the water have been the lowlights for lifeguards patrolling Bay of Plenty and Coromandel beaches flooded by thousands of holidaymakers.
“In Whitianga, three kids were on a stand-up paddle board with one paddle between them,” Surf Lifesaving NZ’s Eastern Region lifesaving manager, ChazGibbons-Campbell, said.
“They tried going out to the islands and got stuck out there.”
Surf Lifesaving NZ warns January is “the most dangerous month in the water”.
In the first water-related death of this year, a man died on Wednesday after being seen struggling in the water off the coast of Ōmaio, a remote village on the East Coast, police confirmed. Members of the public retrieved him but he could not be revived.
“There were big numbers on the beaches last few days, New Year’s Day and today.”
The Eastern region includes Coromandel, Bay of Plenty & Gisborne/Tairāwhiti.
Between Saturday and Monday, 10 incidents in the region required major first aid.
“It was mostly dislocated shoulders, but we also had shell cuts and jellyfish stings,” Gibbons-Campbell said.
There were nine searches, four rescues and eight people assisted in the water along Eastern beaches.
It had been calm throughout most of the patrolled beaches, but offshore breezes could catch people off guard, he said.
“People just need to err on the side of caution. Be prepared if you are going to go out. Have a life jacket or some form of flotation device.”
He said people had generally been respectful of lifeguards’ instructions but there was still some “silliness” happening.
Surf Life Saving New Zealand eastern region lifesaving manager Chaz Gibbons-Campbell. Photo / Alex Cairns
“Even today, we had three people in a single-person kayak towing one of those blow-ups you get from The Warehouse with somebody in it.”
Gibbons-Campbell expected a new batch of holidaymakers to arrive in the next week as other people returned to work and holiday home rentals changed hands.
Some disappointing news awaits surfers as there was no surf on the horizon, Gibbson-Campbell said.
“There is nothing on the long-range forecast.”
While a day at the beach is a good way to relax, respecting the water was key to ensuring everyone returned home alive, Surf Lifesaving NZ general manager lifesaving Andy Kent said.
“January is the most dangerous month in the water, so don’t muck around with your life or that of your whānau.”
Kent urges those visiting the beach this month to know how to keep safe.
“Always swim at a lifeguarded beach between the red and yellow flags. If you get in trouble, turn onto your back and float, don’t let children out of your sight, and if in any doubt at all, stay out of the water,” he said.
