News
Weekend Wrap: SLSNZ Southern Region Patrol Season Starts
Monday, 6 November 2023It was a quiet start to the patrol season for South Island Surf Life Saving clubs, with no incidents recorded.
Surf lifeguards were officially on duty at Warrington Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC), St Kilda SLSC, St Clair SLSC, and Brighton SLSC for the first time this season, recording 287 hours on patrol. Zero people were rescued, and no first aids were required.
Stu Bryce, Surf Life Saving New Zealand (SLSNZ) Southern Region Manager, said, “After months of training and upskilling, it was great to see some of our surf lifeguards out on patrol. The cold weather deterred most beachgoers; however, as temperatures rise and more SLSC’s start patrols, we’re, of course, expecting a surge in people hitting the beach. We want to encourage everyone to visit safeswim.org.nz before heading out to find a lifeguarded beach and remember, always swim between the red and yellow flags.”
All Christchurch SLSC’s will start patrol this weekend.
Meanwhile, Westshore SLSC was the only Central Region beach on patrol at the weekend. On Saturday they carried out an observational patrol out of respect for a rāhui, which was put in place by kaumātua in the morning following the death of an IronMāori swimmer.
During the IronMāori, six inflatable rescue boat crews and 18 board paddlers with tubes were involved in water safety operations. Sarnia Brewer, SLSNZ’s Hawke’s Bay Club Development Officer, said, “With our aquatic safety management plan in place, and with skilled surf lifeguards watching over the participants, our team was able to respond quickly and were critical in responding to this tragic event. Our thoughts are with the person’s whānau and friends and everyone involved following this devastating loss.”
Westshore SLSC were able to complete a full patrol on Sunday when the area the rāhui covered, was shortened. The rāhui, which now covers the area of Ahuriri Beach and sea out to a line between the points of Te Karaka and Te Herenga Waka o Ahuriri, will be in effect until tonight.
Beaches in the Eastern Region were busy, especially on Sunday, with hundreds of beachgoers reported in Mount Maunganui and Papamoa. Omanu Beach SLSC carried out one rescue, assisting a windsurfer to safety after they got into distress and were unable to return to shore. There were also four first aids.
Northern Region surf lifeguards had a relatively quiet weekend with zero rescues and four first aids. Muriwai Volunteer Lifeguard Service dealt with a major first aid after a person fell down rocks. They were taken to the SLSC before an ambulance took them to hospital.
Metservice is forecasting persistent southerly winds this week, which will keep a lid on temperatures and will likely deter people from the beach. However, the cold air is expected to shift to the east this weekend, accompanied by north-westerly winds that will usher in warmer and more beach-friendly temperatures.
Northern Region:
|
|
4 November, 2023 |
5 November, 2023 |
|
No. of people rescued
|
0 |
0 |
|
No. of people assisted
|
1 |
0 |
|
No. of major first aids
|
0 |
2 |
|
No. of minor first aids
|
0 |
2 |
|
No. of searches
|
0 |
0 |
|
No. of preventatives
|
58 |
100 |
|
No. of people involved
|
415 |
1220 |
|
Peak head count
|
850 |
820 |
|
Hours on patrol
|
684 |
967 |
Eastern Region:
|
|
4 November, 2023 |
5 November, 2023 |
|
No. of people rescued
|
1 |
0 |
|
No. of people assisted
|
0 |
1 |
|
No. of major first aids
|
0 |
2 |
|
No. of minor first aids
|
0 |
2 |
|
No. of searches
|
0 |
0 |
|
No. of preventatives
|
14 |
22 |
|
No. of people involved
|
141 |
801 |
|
Peak head count
|
110 |
630 |
|
Hours on patrol
|
260 |
370 |
Central Region:
|
|
4 November, 2023 |
5 November, 2023 |
|
No. of people rescued
|
0 |
0 |
|
No. of people assisted
|
0 |
0 |
|
No. of major first aids
|
0 |
0 |
|
No. of minor first aids
|
0 |
0 |
|
No. of searches
|
0 |
0 |
|
No. of preventatives
|
0 |
6 |
|
No. of people involved
|
0 |
21 |
|
Peak head count
|
0 |
55 |
|
Hours on patrol
|
0 |
47 |
Southern Region:
|
|
4 November, 2023 |
5 November, 2023 |
|
No. of people rescued
|
0 |
0 |
|
No. of people assisted
|
0 |
0 |
|
No. of major first aids
|
0 |
0 |
|
No. of minor first aids
|
0 |
0 |
|
No. of searches
|
0 |
0 |
|
No. of preventatives
|
1 |
4 |
|
No. of people involved
|
42 |
23 |
|
Peak head count
|
68 |
70 |
|
Hours on patrol
|
176 |
111 |
SLSNZ Beach and Coastal Safety Messages
- Know How To Float
If you don’t know how to float, don’t go into the water. Just being able to float when you are in the water can increase your chance of survival. Floating allows you to calm yourself and keep your airways out of the water. Practice or get some lessons in the pool before you head to the beach.
- Find The Safest Place To Swim
Check safeswim.org.nz to find a lifeguarded beach, and always swim between the red and yellow flags.
- If In Doubt, Stay Out
Waves can be bigger than they look, and weather conditions can change quickly. If you feel uncomfortable about getting into the water, stay out.
- Take Care of Others
Always keep children within arm’s reach in or near the water. Waves can move quickly and unexpectedly and can knock kids off their feet and sweep them away.
- Know How to Get Help
If someone in the water is in trouble and surf lifeguards are on patrol, let them know. If you can’t see any surf lifeguards, call 111 and ask for police. If you’re in the water and in trouble yourself, signal for help.