"If you are out in the ocean and it turns you need to get back to shore fast so as not to get caught out."
Living up on the hill that looked straight out on to the sea, he said he always scanned the sea before going out to assess the swells and movements of the surf, and that local knowledge was invaluable.
"A lot of the people who have been caught out have been people from outside the area, but even the best of us can get into trouble if we do not have our wits about us and take notice of what's going on."
When assessing the risk he said he normally looked at which way the swell direction was coming from, as its movement posed different types of challenges depending on whether people were swimming, surfing, fishing or boating.
"The nor-east swells come straight onto the beach, the southerly comes up the coast and has natural protection from Kuku rocks and the islands, but the size of the swell can be deceiving as it does not look as big as recorded behind the island."
He added that a lot of people had been caught out at Kuku rocks where the boats were launched.
"They try to get mussels off the rocks at low tide but the high tide comes in really fast - if people are not watching they can get stranded - there's a lot of water moving around those rocks, and rips - its very dangerous."
He added that between the lifeguard patrol tower and where the boats were launched there were deep holes, which was why the tower was placed where it was, and as such why people should always swim between the flags.
Caution was also necessary when going to someone's assistance, he said.
His advice to anyone thinking of trying to help people in trouble was not to go out without some kind of flotation device.
"Even if it's a child that's panicking it's extremely hard to tread water if you have just average fitness and swimming ability - trying to help someone else no matter what their size is difficult."
Rahui
A rahui was placed on the beach for two days this week after Indian national Hemin Limbachiya's death, but Mr Barber said this was a short period of time compared to past rahui.
No strangers to tragedy, his hapu lost an esteemed ancestor and others in 1847 when Ngati Kahungunu leader Tiakitai set out with 21 companions on a whaleboat to visit Wairoa and Mahia, and to attend a marriage feast.
A big storm hit, the boat capsized and all on board were lost.
Mr Barber said a rahui was subsequently placed on the East Coast for 10 years, a sign of the mana of the man.
"That was the biggest tragedy for that whole generation - a lot of those on board were up and coming chiefs - as a descendant of Tiakitai I am very wary and appreciate the moods of Tangaroa - you just do not want to get caught out."
