Swim between flags, urges Life Saving NZ

The Lowe Corporation Rescue Helicopter comes into Ocean Beach after 3-year-old Jimmy Atilua Laulu drowned in the lagoon.

With the drowning toll climbing above 100 over the past year, Surf Life Saving New Zealand says enough is enough.

In the wake of the eight drownings over the past four days, six of which have been coastal, Surf Life Saving reports none of them have been at patrolled locations.

One of these tragedies occurred at Ocean Beach, when 3-year-old Jimmy Atilua Laulu lost his life swimming in the lagoon - 400m from the patrolled area.

He was found by his uncle about an hour after he was last seen. He was laid to rest on Monday in Flaxmere.

Surf Life Saving chairman Geoff Hamilton is pleading with the public to please swim at patrolled beaches. "It's horrific.

An absolute tragedy and, as a father of two, I'm even more saddened for these poor families that have lost their loved ones."

He said the beach is our natural playground, but it can also be deadly.

"No one wants or expects a day out at the beach with family and friends to turn fatal, but the harsh reality is, for some people, it does."

Mr Hamilton said, at this time of the year, there were a greater number of lifeguards covering more locations than usual.

Lifeguards from 74 Surf Life Saving clubs are patrolling around 90 of the most popular beaches (to find one, see www.findabeach.co.nz).

Patrolled beaches in Hawke's Bay include Waimarama Beach, Ocean Beach, Pacific Beach along Marine Parade Napier, Waipatiki Beach and Westshore Beach.

"I cannot stress enough, the need for people to choose one of these spots to swim at.

Surf lifeguards are there to keep the public safer at some of the nation's favourite beach locations."

Ten people drowned during last year's holiday period and with another week to go until the end of the official holiday period, at 6am on January 5, Mr Hamilton said he hopes no one else drowns over this time.

When it comes to children, Mr Hamilton said supervision is key.

"You have to keep them within arm's reach at all times. It's as simple as that."