Lifeguards issue warning after gloomy week on Auckland’s west coast beaches

Two deaths and six close visits on Auckland’s famous west coast beaches this week have prompted lifeguards to issue a stern warning to the public.

“Unless you are confident, avoid entering or near water,” says Matt Williams, North Region Executive Director for Surf Life Saving.

The call comes after a harrowing week for lifeguards stationed on some of the city’s most famous beaches on the west coast.

There have been five serious incidents in the last five days. Tragically, two people, a woman and a fisherman, were killed in separate incidents.

Williams said it had been the busiest winter in recent memory.

“We have had 33 calls for our emergency call squads since the beginning of May this year.

“When you consider that in all of last year, including the summer, we only had 31 calls, that’s a massive increase in our workload, and it’s projected to continue to grow,” he said.

He said the spike in the number of people heading to the beach can be attributed to human nature after what he described as a newfound appreciation for water after the Covid-19 closing events.

The recent warm temperatures and sunny weather, in addition to the school holidays at this time, may have also caused more people to head to the beach.

“We only ask that this be done safely. But sadly, we have seen this desire to return to shore manifested in people who do not take proper precautions or stay within their capabilities.”

“The last week has shown how many ways there are to get into trouble on the coast.”

On Sunday, Mangawhai Heads lifeguards had just finished a joint training exercise with a team from Waipū Cove when they saw two girls trapped in a nearby hole.

The pair were rescued by a lifeguard on a rescue board, with the help of a local surfer.

On Monday, emergency crews were called to Bethells Beach after reports that a fisherman had been washed away by rocks in nearby O’Neills Bay.

Despite their efforts to find it, they could not find it. His body was later recovered.

On Tuesday, rescuers from the area were dispatched to White’s Beach, north of Piha, after a woman fell into the water.

Rescuers from an IRB quickly recovered her and performed CPR on her. However, she was pronounced dead shortly after.

On Thursday, lifeguards were needed in Piha to rescue three people who found themselves in trouble at what is known as Keyhole, a natural rock formation on the beach.

Later that day, lifeguards were needed at Muriwai Beach in the nearby Gannett colony after a surfer was swept there from nearby Māori Bay.

Surf Life Saving Safety Messages

• Choose a patrolled beach and swim between the flags
• Ask a lifeguard for advice
• Don’t overestimate your ability
• Keep young children within easy reach at all times.
• Watch out for rip currents. They can take you away from the shore
• When fishing from rocks, always wear a life jacket
• When in doubt, stay away
• If you see someone in trouble, call 111 and ask for the police
• Be smart in the sun: slip, wring, slap and wrap