Lifesavers drive home rip warning
Surf Life Saving NZ is ripping into a new safety campaign, as a petition is circulated calling for government funding of their work as an emergency service.
Rips are a huge risk for beachgoers in New Zealand; there have been 51 fatalities in the past 10 years and about 700 non-fatal rip rescues each year.
The Surf Life Saving rip current safety education campaign aims to ensure swimmers know what to do if they find themselves caught in a rip by promoting the three R’s – Relax and float, Raise your hand and Ride the rip.
The father of two brothers lost in a rip in January 2015 hopes the warning will prevent other tragedies.
Paul Wakelin, 23, was setting a fishing line when his brother John, 19, was swimming with a friend. The pair were in waistdeep water but were caught in a rip. They called out for help and Paul went in to save them.
Surfers came to their aid but by that time both Paul and John were face-down in the water, unresponsive. Their friend was helped to shore.
The brothers’ father Christopher said the loss of his ‘‘boys’’ was a source of deep anguish but hoped that sharing the story would save others.
Surf Life Saving NZ chief executive Paul Dalton said 80 per cent of rescues involved swimmers caught in rip currents.
‘‘Many people think when they are caught in a rip that they’re strong enough to out-swim it, but not even an Olympic swimmer can beat a rip.
‘‘Rip currents will quickly carry you away from the shore and it will be frightening, but if you follow the three R’s you will be in the best possible position to get to safety.’’
Meanwhile, Helensville MP Chris Penk has launched a petition calling for recognition of surf lifesaving as an emergency service.
‘‘Surf lifesaving is a vital service provided by thousands of Kiwi volunteers … clubs currently rely on funding from a combination of sporting and community grants, fundraising efforts and private sponsorship.’’
Every year hundreds of Kiwis die in the water. They don’t need to. Stuff is working with Water Safety New Zealand to help Kiwi kids stay safe in summer. And we’d like your help. Money raised through the Water Skills for Life Givealittle page will go towards ensuring dozens of Kiwi lives are saved.