Familiar message for local swimmers and boaties

 

Beautiful still weather greeted visitors to Mangawhai Heads for Auckland Anniversary Weekend and drew massive crowds to the beach with numbers reaching over 400 at the peak period on the Sunday.

With the Metservice calling Sunday the ‘Day of the Summer’ in terms of weather, lifeguards were kept busy as not only was the sun shining but there was also a decent 1.5 to 2m swell rolling in.

"Conditions were tricky with extremely high tides leaving little or no beach for beachgoers,” said Mangawhai Heads Volunteer Lifeguard Service club captain Patria Harris. “This combined with a nice, solid swell made for challenging conditions. We had more than ten rescues on both Saturday and Sunday. We were also involved in a boat tow when a vessel broke down and required assistance."

Please swim between flags
The weekend showed a dramatic increase in the number of visitors to Mangawhai Heads and surrounding beaches and only highlighted the importance of vigilance for both the lifeguards on duty and beachgoers alike.

"This has been the busiest summer period we have had in recent years, with thousands of people flocking to the beaches in the Mangawhai area to take advantage of the beautiful run of weather and warmer than usual water temperatures" said MHVLS club chairman Tony Baker.

"Our lifeguards have been busy all season performing rescues on an almost daily basis. The beach has a lot more rocks than usual, and this combined with the consistent swell since Christmas has meant rip currents and shore breaks have been extra strong."

People need to remember to swim between the flags, says Mr Baker, and to ask a lifeguard for advice before entering the water. People with body boards should also be wearing fins.

Boaties risk bar crossing
One area that was of concern this past weekend was the number of boats crossing the Mangawhai Harbour entrance or bar.

“There were some close calls with boats trying to cross the bar on Sunday," said Ms Harris. “We watched at least three boats in a row drive straight out through the middle of the bar and all three nearly flipped."

Mr Baker says there have been numerous boat flips on the bar over the years, and many near misses this summer.

"This is a major issue and boaties need to be more aware of the risks when crossing the bar. Boaties should check conditions before heading out.”

n The regional lifeguard service has concluded its week-day service this week, but MHVLS will continue to provide lifeguard services on weekends and public holidays until Easter.

PATROL: Longtime guard Daniel Russek watches over Mangawhai beachgoers. –PHOTO/Tony Baker

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