No surf but lives still to be saved on Lake Taupo

By SCOTT MacLEOD

The term "surf lifesaver" seems incongruous on a lake where there is - let's face it - littlesurf.

That's why there is no mention of "surf" in the name Taupo Cosmopolitan Lifesaving Club.

But although lake swimmers face none of the usual beach hazards such as pounding waves, rips and currents, the unwary can fall victim to two unexpected killers.

The first is temperature - Lake Taupo's summer waters are still bitterly cold just a few metres from shore.

The second killer is the lack of salt in lake water, meaning a swimmer is less buoyant and must work harder to stay afloat.

Lake Taupo's secret killers have claimed several lives in recent years.

Four years ago, three people drowned in as many weeks and a coroner urged Taupo to curb the death rate.

That was when Tony Roddan and his mates set up the country's first inland lifesaving club.

Now president, Mr Roddan said the club had grown to the point where it had two instructors and 12 volunteers.

No one has ever drowned on a section of beach where the Taupo crew is on patrol, which is why they get frustrated at having to deal with the same problems as their coastal colleagues - people who refuse to swim between the flags.

Mr Roddan said: "I don't understand it.

"We had a bloke on New Year's Day who had an epileptic fit outside the flags. It could easily have been fatal."

Taupo's beach has been humming this week with holiday swimmers and dozens of people toiling in the Super Six Bay of Plenty Surf Lifesaving Competition.

The competition included nine teams from Taupo, Papamoa, Waihi and Mt Maunganui taking part in beach sprints, swimming, board and ski relays and tube races.

Three other teams - from Palmerston North, Orewa and Waihi - competed in a series of rowing races.

One of the oldest entrants was Dan Harris, who refused to give his age but admitted to having been a lifesaver since 1956.

Mr Harris swept (steered the boat) for a Waihi Surf Lifesaving Club team yesterday.

He said it was "a hard row" on Lake Taupo because there were no waves to speed the boat on its way back to shore.

"It's a nice day out, a bit of fun, a blowout for the boys."

Mt Maunganui teams came first, second and fourth in yesterday's main competition. A Papamoa team was third.