No major incidents on Whanganui beaches so far this summer

Whanganui lifeguards (from left) Alex Petherick, Olivia Gilbertson, Millie Boden-Cave and James McGregor at Castlecliff Beach. Photo / Mike Tweed

Beachgoers in Whanganui have been staying out of trouble so far this summer.

Whanganui Surf Lifeguard Service lifeguard co-ordinator Olivia Bedwell said the majority of people had “been taking on our advice”.

“There are always a couple of people who choose to swim where they want to swim, but most are between the flags.

“At Castlecliff, our biggest hazards are the rips and at high tide there is quite a steep drop-off.

“It goes from shallow to deep really quickly. We’ve also had a drift going up the beach towards Kai Iwi over the past couple of days.”

Lifeguards are at Kai Iwi and Castlecliff beaches from midday to 6pm until after Waitangi weekend (February 8).

After that, there will be patrols on weekends only.

Whanganui kids (from left) Hazel and Ruby Ryder, and Eve and Joe Hart dip their toes in the water at Castlecliff Beach. Photo / Mike Tweed

Bedwell said there had been no major incidents so far this summer, a change from the “big spike” in rescues two years ago.

There were about 35 rescues in Whanganui waters - 12 of which were after hours - over the 2023-24 holiday period.

That number dropped to five in the 2024-25 summer up to February 5.

“The weather has definitely kept a few people away,” Bedwell said.

“But yesterday [Sunday] at Castlecliff, we had 60 people on the beach and 40 in the water. Numbers are still up on good days.”

Whanganui resident Sophie Hart was at Castlecliff on Monday afternoon.

Castlecliff beachgoers (from left) Chloe Hood, Dougal Ross and Lauren Ross, with children (from left) William Vane, Lyla Vane and Penelope Ross. Photo / Mike Tweed

“The sun’s out, so we finally get a day at the beach. It’s the first time this summer,” she said.

“The waves are a bit rough but we always come back.

“We’ll be here until the kids get hungry.”

Chloe Hood was spending the day at Castlecliff with family after coming from Wellington.

“I’m originally from Whanganui and the kids are here to see Granny and Poppa,” she said.

Emerson Oscilowski (left) and Ethan Oscilowski make use of a makeshift swimming hole at Castlecliff Beach. Photo / Mike Tweed

Lifeguard James McGregor said there had been a couple of rescues at the start of the season.

“I think it was just a bit more dangerous on the beach,” he said.

“There have been rainy and overcast days, but the sun’s out now so hopefully people come down and enjoy it.”

Whangārei’s Karlee Quinn said she was in town for four days.

“We are here [Castlecliff] because our child loves the beach.

“Growing up, we used to go to Kai Iwi or Ototoka more, but we came here because the kids said it had the best playground.”

Mike Tweed is a multimedia journalist at the Whanganui Chronicle. Since starting in March 2020, he has dabbled in everything from sport to music. At present his focus is local government, primarily Whanganui District Council.