Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Local Govt | National News Video | Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Search

 

Northern surf patrols winding down as Autumn arrives


Monday-to-Friday visitors to Auckland, Waikato and Northland beaches over the last 30-plus summers have been able to swim and recreate under the watchful eye of Surf Life Saving Northern Region* (SLSNR) lifeguards, supported predominantly by local authority funding.

The weekday patrols by the regional paid lifeguards finished at most beaches in February, with just the major west coast beaches of Piha and Muriwai continuing into March and those beaches will cease weekday patrols for the season after 9 March. So far this summer SLSNR lifeguards have rescued more than 300 swimmers and completed over 74,500 hours of patrols.

SLSNR Operations Manager Adam Wooler says volunteer lifeguards will continue patrolling on weekends at high-usage locations till Easter Monday, 2 April. The exceptions are Ahipara, Pakiri, Red Beach, Long Bay, Wenderholm and Takapuna where weekend patrols finished up in February.

Weekend patrols at many beaches will also finish an hour earlier from this Saturday, 3 March. Patrols will end at 4pm this Saturday at Omaha, Mairangi Bay, Muriwai, Bethells and Kariaotahi, while the flags will go down at North and South Piha at 5pm and at 4.30pm at Karekare.

Wooler says surf clubs are expecting the beaches to remain popular through March. “Beach-goers are still very vocal about needing lifeguards to stay on longer than previously. Summer might be over in name, but going to the beach is still the number one recreation activity for thousands of people.”

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

Despite the busiest season in recent times, Wooler says there is no easing into Autumn for lifeguards or ‘burnout’ in the ranks. “Our vigilance doesn’t let up. The risks are still there and we’ll continue to urge people to act sensibly and responsibly at the beach.

“It’s particularly important that people take extra care late in the day when the lifeguards have taken down the flags, which will be an hour earlier than previously.”

Notes
1. SLSNR have 4 Beach safety messages these are;
• Be prepared; learn to swim and survive, always wear appropriate beach attire and be Sun Smart.
• Watch out for yourself and others; always swim between the flags, Keep children within arm’s reach.
• Be aware of the dangers; always read the safety signs and talk to the lifeguard for safety advice.
• Know your limits; never swim or surf alone

2. In 2016/17 SLSNR performed 299 Rescues, 881 First Aid Treatments and 98,628 Safety Interventions.

3. In 2016/17 SLSNR helped educate over 17,000 school aged children in Beach Safety.

*Surf Life Saving Northern Region encompasses 17 clubs, covering 22 beaches from Raglan north on the west coast around North Cape, and south to the Auckland City beaches.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.