​​Volunteer Lifeguards Make Big Effort to Keep us Safe - Paid Lifeguard Service Commences in Northern Region​

Volunteer surf lifeguards from the Manawatu-Tararua Search and Rescue squad have spent the weekend assisting the search for a man missing in the Manawatu River. 

“Our surf lifeguards have been assisting other emergency services in the search for a man who fell into the river on Saturday," said Charlie Cordwell, Central Regional Manager for Surf Life Saving NZ. 

“As of Sunday evening, we still had four Inflatable Rescue Boats (IRBs) on the river, participating in the search, including support from the Wellington-Kapiti Search and Rescue squad. The Manawatu-Tararua Search and Rescue squad will continue the search today, with forecast rain tomorrow brings the river level up and makes search conditions difficult. 

Across all of New Zealand, volunteer surf lifeguards worked 3,810 hours over the weekend. In total, 229 preventative actions were taken, involving the safety of 2,458 people. 

After several significant incidents in the Northern Region last week, including a tragic fatality at Piha on Tuesday 12 November, the Paid Lifeguard Service commenced at South Piha and Muriwai beaches yesterday, with surf lifeguards at Muriwai performing an assist on a struggling surfer. They will be followed by Bethells Beach and Raglan from Monday 25 November, North Piha from Monday 2 December, and Ōrewa, Karekare, and Kariaotahi from Monday 9 December (full Northern Region timetable follows). 

SLSNZ Northern Region General Manager Zac Franich says that last week’s incidents all occurred outside of regular patrol hours.  

“There were several concerning incidents last week in which people were entering the water at unpatrolled beaches, in dangerous conditions. If you swim at an unpatrolled beach, or outside patrol hours, you are placing yourself at an incredible risk,” he says. 

“With the PLS commencing at Muriwai and South Piha, we hope that people ensure they make safe choices by swimming at these patrolled beaches. 

“We also strongly encourage people to check the Safeswim website to check beach conditions, surf lifesaving patrol information, and other important information like tides before making their trip to the beach. 

Northern Region Paid Lifeguard Service (PLS) weekday patrol dates: 

Far North: 16 Dec – 10 Jan 

Baylys Beach: 23 Dec – 17 Jan 

Whangārei Heads: 16 Dec – 31 Jan 

Ruakākā: 16 Dec – 7 Feb 

Waipu Cove: 16 Dec – 14 Feb 

Mangawhai Heads: 16 Dec – 14 Feb 

Te Arai beach (7 days): 23 Dec – 19 Jan 

Pakiri beach: 23 Dec – 10 Jan 

Omaha: 16 Dec – 7 Feb 

Tawharanui (7 days): 16 Dec – 9 Feb 

Wenderholm: 23 Dec – 10 Jan 

Ōrewa: 9 Dec – 21 Feb 

Red Beach: 23 Dec – 10 Jan 

Long Bay (7 days): 23 Dec – 9 Feb 

Mairangi Bay: 23 Dec – 10 Jan 

Takapuna (7 days): 23 Dec – 9 Feb 

Muriwai: 18 Nov – 14 Mar 

Bethells Beach: 25 Nov – 28 Feb 

United North Piha: 2 Dec – 14 Feb 

Piha: 18 Nov – 14 Mar 

Karekare: 9 Dec – 14 Feb 

Kariaotahi: 9 Dec – 28 Feb 

Sunset (Port Waikato): 23 Dec – 14 Feb 

Raglan: 25 Nov – 28 Feb 

North Shore RWC (jet ski): 23 Dec – 7 Feb  

Weekend Patrol Statistics: 

Aggregated patrol statistics (national): 

Northern Region:  

Saturday: Muriwai surf lifeguards treated a patient with a wrist injury until the ambulance arrived.  

Sunday: Nothing of note. 

Eastern Region:  

Saturday and Sunday: Nothing of note. 

Central Region: 

Saturday and Sunday: Lifeguards from Manawatu Tararua Search and Rescue Squad involved in an ongoing search for 1 person missing in the Manawatu River in the Palmerston North region. 

Southern Region:  

Saturday: Nothing of note. 

Sunday: Surf lifeguards from Spencer Park Surf Life Saving Club, north of Christchurch responded to an incident in which a person fell off a horse at Spencer Park, transporting the patient to the surf club and a waiting ambulance. 

Key Safety Messages: 2024/25 season   

1.    Know How To Float - Me Mōhio koe me Pēhea te Mānu  

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. It is also the first thing to do if you get caught in a rip.   

If you don’t know how to float well, practice or get some lessons in a pool before you head to the beach - being able to float is a key skill when learning to swim. Anyone can learn to float but some people may take a little longer to learn.   

2.    Find The Safest Place To Swim - Kimihia te Wāhi Haumaru Rawa Ki Te Kaukau  

Remember if you are heading to the beach, check www.safeswim.org.nz to find a lifeguarded beach, and always swim between the red and yellow flags, which show the safest place to swim. The surf lifeguards are there to help keep beachgoers safe, by keeping a constant eye on sea as they continuously scan for hazards or people in difficulty, keeping on top of weather forecasts and understanding the swell and tide conditions too. 

3.    If In Doubt, Stay Out - Mehemea e Rangirua Ana, Me Noho Ki Waho   

Waves can be bigger than they look, dangerous rip currents are hard to spot and weather conditions can be unpredictable. If you feel uncomfortable about getting into the water, stay out. It’s better to be safe than sorry. Too many people get into trouble in the water because they overestimate their abilities and underestimate the conditions.   

4.    Take Care of Others - Tiakina te Tangata  

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. Everyone has different levels of ability, so watch out for your mates too.  

5.    Know How to Get Help - Me Mōhio koe me Pēhea te Kimi Āwhina  

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. Police have a direct line to surf lifeguards and others who can help.  

If you’re in the water and in trouble yourself, signal for help.