No patrols for treacherous stretch of Napier beach

For the first summer in about 70 years Napier’s Marine Parade will be without surf lifeguards. The gravel beach is a dangerous place to swim, but since about 1950 a spot at the northern end, near the Port of Napier, has been patrolled over summer. A Surf Life Saving NZ report this year found no need for patrols due to the extremely low number of people using the beach. Lifeguards were needed at other beaches.