Beach safety will now depend on volunteers

The future of lifeguard patrols on Baylys Beach is up to volunteers willing to take the plunge.
A professional service trialled for three weeks at the Ripiro Beach settlement finished on Sunday.
While the community were supportive of the initiative, only a couple of locals committed themselves to training and more will be needed if a viable future service is to be considered.
Four rescues, including that of three body boarders last Wednesday, were made during the three-week trial, but five medical callouts and more than a 1000 preventative actions were also carried out by patrols.
Ripiro Beach is notorious for its ever-changing rips and under currents.
Several drownings have occurred in the last few years.
The community had urged the Kaipara District Council to support the Surf Life Saving Northern Region patrol and a grant of $5000 was made to provide the service.
Lifeguard supervisor for the Northern region, Johnny Clough said up to 300 swimmers a day had taken to the water with up to 120 people within the flagged area at peak times. A children's education programme had also been well-attended.
Northern manager, Dean Storey said he believed the service was essential to community enjoyment and safety in the area and would like to see it expanded into February next year.
"The challenge for the community is getting committed people willing to train and become lifeguards," said Mr Storey.
Kaipara Mayor Neil Tiller agreed: "The small number of locals wanting to train was very disappointing."
He said the lifeguards and increased police presence had made a positive impact on beach safety and behaviour, but a local surf lifesaving club was essential to providing a service.
"I feel the community needs to demonstrate it is willing to play its part," he said. The decision to repeat or extend the service would be made during the annual plan process later in the year.
"Council will need a strong argument to increase the $5000 grant it made to Surf Lifesaving New Zealand this year," Mr Tiller said.
Baylys Beach Society president Trish Harding commended the council for its initiative.
She said the educational factor had been invaluable and backed the formation of a lifesaving service. "The ultimate is to start a club here and be self-sufficient with people we can call on."
• Community members wishing to become involved, as trainee lifeguards should contact 0800 SAVE LIFE or email experts@lifesaving.org.nz
* ADVICE:
• Never swim or surf alone
• Parents, watch over children
• If in doubt stay outBe aware of rips and currents
• Never mix swimming and alcohol/drugs
* IDENTIFY RIPS BY:
• Calmer water (with surf breaking either side)Around rocks
• In front of creeks/water outlets
* CAUGHT IN RIP:
• Don't panic (don't swim against the rip)
• Swim parallel to shore, out of the side of the rip and onto the sandbank/inwards moving surf