Shark attack creates hurdle
The repercussions of the Bowentown shark attack and an increase in shark sightings have been felt at Pukehina Beach. Kaelah Marlow, 19, died after suffering injuries in a shark attack at Bowentown earlier this month.
Pukehina Surf Rescue lifeguard co-ordinator Andrew Mcdowell says the tragedy has had a major impact, but work is being done with all members of the club.
“We are all feeling a little less comfortable in the water, but we are certainly doing a lot of activity around getting [members] into the water at every patrol and every opportunity so we can get over that little mental hurdle.”
He says there has been a noticeable increase in the number of sharks seen in the area.
“Shark numbers have been up this year with the beach having to be closed a couple of times,” says Andrew. “Basically the protocol is once a shark has been sighted, we keep eyes on it until we can’t keep eyes on it any longer, then we leave the flags down for another half an hour.”
He says there have been plenty of sightings of marine life. “We have had dolphins and a pod of orca visit this summer, so we do work in a very diverse environment when it comes to marine life. We are just seeing the sharks as part and parcel of that environment, which means our environment must be in pretty good nick.”
Andrew says the cooler weather over Christmas and New Year meant the numbers of people at the beach weren’t as high as they might have been, but numbers have increased with the higher temperatures.
“The flags have been full right through to closing which has been good.”
Lifeguards also patrol the full length of the beach — around 5km — five times a day and club president Boyd Harris says lifeguards visit Newdicks Beach and, from last weekend, were assisting Maketu¯ Surf Lifesaving Club.
Boyd says there has been a big increase in the number of jet skis in and around the surf club.
“By and large all of them have been following the rules, which is really cool. They launch at the boat ramp and drive through the guys gathering kai, so to see them following the rules is good.”
He says generally people at the beach have been following the safety messages.
Regional lifeguards have been on duty during the week, with volunteer lifeguards at the beach over the weekends. Having the regional guards on hand has allowed the volunteers to train morning and afternoon.
Boyd says there have been few actual rescues, but lifeguards have been passing on advice and safety messages to those who might be potentially putting themselves or others in danger around the water. ■ This weekend Pukehina Surf Rescue will host the Harris Cup invitational competition. Around 300 young surf athletes are expected for the event that caters for the smaller clubs including cup holders Whakata¯ne, Waih¯ı Beach, Maketu¯ and O¯ po¯tiki. The competition gets under way at 10am and people are welcome to head along to watch. The cup is named after Boyd’s father Selwyn.