Editorial: Patrols will cut risk of drownings

Uretiti Beach. Photo / Michael Cunningham

Northland's reputation as a summer holiday destination is growing.

In particular, Whangarei's Bream Bay area seems to have grown in stature as a destination this year.

Beautiful white, sandy beaches, the opportunity to rough it camping but not be too far from civilisation - what's not to like?

With it though, comes an increase in risk and yesterday's tragic news of a child's death near the Waipu river mouth is a sombre reminder of the frailty of human life when we are in or near the water.

There have now been two suspected drownings in Bream Bay in two weeks.

The other was a few kilometres up the beach on Christmas Day, at Uretiti where the seafood bounty in its waters are a fatal attraction for day tripping visitors from Auckland.

Add in the popular Department of Conservation camping ground's population, and up to 600 people can be on the beach at Uretiti on a hot day.

Waipu and Ruakaka have surf patrols - the argument for a patrol at Uretiti is strong, along with the argument for a complete rethink of how surf patrols are funded.

This would potentially enable reactive patrols to be established at spots such as Uretiti, and would also stop the "year-to-year" hand-to-mouth funding dilemma that surf lifesaving faces each summer.

Patrolling the water is a massive challenge, involving many variables.

Putting extra life savers on duty, or creating new patrols, is no guarantee against tragedy. But it would help.

The sea is a challenging environment and the more we can all do to keep an eye on each other, the better.