Data reveals the number of ACC claims for summer activities in Whanganui

Whanganui topped the region for ACC claims on surfing injuries in 2024. Photo / NZME

Whanganui leads the Manawatū-Whanganui region for the number of ACC claims for surfing injuries.

In 2024, 18 claims for surfing injuries were made in the district, more than double Horowhenua, which had the second-highest number of claims at eight.

The data was released by ACC as part of its focus on injury prevention in summer recreational sports such as swimming, surfing, road cycling and mountain biking.

The surfing injuries suffered were mainly soft tissue, with the majority occurring in the spinal area.

ACC injury prevention leader James Whitaker said Kiwis should use caution when engaging in these activities.

“We want New Zealanders to enjoy their summer, whether that is at the beach, on the mountain bike trails or on the sports field,” he said.

“But we’re challenging people to take a moment to ... think about ways they can manage injury risks while doing their favourite things.”

Meanwhile, there were 302 new road cycling claims in 2024, costing $760,000.

There were 38 mountain biking injuries in Whanganui in 2024 costing $816,052 and double Ruapehu in second, which had $422,000 in claims.

There were 46 claims for swimming injuries in Whanganui, costing $30,216.

“ACC can’t be everywhere with our injury prevention messaging, but we can be somewhere,” Whitaker said.

“There is a focus on road cycling, mountain biking, swimming and surfing because these activities lead to major spikes in injuries each summer.”