National figures show 84 people have drowned in 2014. Photo / Paul Taylor
Six people have died on Hawke's Bay's coastline this year - and with summer in full swing authorities say their untimely deaths come as a warning to others.
It was a particularly pertinent message during the official festive season which begins today at 4pm and finishes on January 5 at 6am.
Typically the number of deaths jumped nationally during this period with an average of seven lives lost within that time frame in the past five years.
The Coastguard, surf lifeguards, Maritime New Zealand officers and other volunteers will be out in force but Water Safety New Zealand CEO Matt Claridge said self awareness also played a vital role. "I say it every year, if we're to get through the official holiday period without another New Zealander drowning we need everyone to make water safety a big priority."
As of Monday trained lifeguards took their posts at popular swimming beaches throughout Hawke's Bay with people able to determine which areas are safest by searching findabeach.co.nz.
Donning red and yellow uniforms they will be on duty from Monday to Friday while volunteers take over at the weekend, but with crowds as large as 4000 expected on busy days there's no way they can keep an eye on everyone.
Ocean Beach Kiwi Surf Life Saving chairman Richard Wilson said people need to take care and look after one another. "It's the standard swim between the flags, if you have any concerns ask the life guards," he said. "Especially in an area like Ocean or Waimarama, they are prone to rips that's a bigger risk, we assess that risk throughout the day."
So far, national figures show 84 people have drowned in 2014 including seven pre-school children - two up on last year. Hawke's Bay has the seventh highest rate out of 13 regions.
Watching kids around water no matter how safe it seemed was one way to help prevent current statistics from rising.
At Ocean Beach a major concern over the past 10 to 15 years was parents leaving young ones unattended in a lagoon not specifically monitored by lifeguards, Mr Wilson added.
Some of the main issues lifeguards dealt with on local beaches were people swimming outside the flags and wearing inappropriate swimwear.
"Don't wear clothing that weighs you down and watch out for the conditions, the public often aren't aware of changes like rips where water is being sucked back out," Hawke's Bay Club Support officer Debbie Moodie said. "Most of that is outside the flags, some people choose not to swim inside because they think it's too crowded, but often that's when they get into trouble ..."
It was not just swimmers who needed to wise up but boaties who should be carrying communications, checking the forecast before heading out and avoiding alcohol on-board. Download the Coastguard app to get up-to-the minute live wind data including direction, actual peak, average speed, weather situation and forecasts for recreational boating and coastal sea areas. It also provides information on tides including time and height.
With more Kiwis boating than ever before Maritime NZ said this year's recreational boating toll was "far too high" with 24 lives lost throughout the country, compared to 19 in 2013.
"The majority of boaties who die are middle-aged European men, Maritime NZ is challenging men to stop being risk-takers and use their lifejacket." MNZ Education and Communication Manager, Pania Shingleton said.