Trough poses swim peril at beaches

Eastern Region lifesaving and education manager Leigh Sefton is warning swimmers about a trough creating difficult conditions. Photo / File

A trough running from Shark Alley past Papamoa has created difficult and dangerous conditions for swimmers.

Leigh Sefton, Eastern Region lifesaving and education manager, said the trough had created difficulties at low tide and meant along that strip of coastline, conditions could change quickly.

He urged swimmers to stick to areas patrolled by surf lifesavers as the regional lifeguards and volunteers were aware of the conditions and were patrolling accordingly.

"The rips are moving around. One minute an area can be safe and the next there can be a raging rip.

"We've seen the trough before but it's never been as wide as this. Our guards are all trained for this. It just means they have to work a bit harder."

The trough could be filled in if a tropical cyclone came and shifted sand around, but if that did not happen Mr Sefton said it would likely stick around for the rest of the season.

Rescue numbers this season were well ahead of last year, likely because of the trough combined with the swell at the beaches.

The trough had skipped Mount Main Beach, although swimmers still needed to be cautious.

Mr Sefton said beachgoers had generally been well behaved this summer, although some people were still "not really thinking" and putting themselves in dangerous situations.

"They're going in past all the signs warning about rips and into dangerous areas that have been clearly marked.

"There are groups of people choosing to swim outside the flagged areas where it would be only 100m to get to the flags, then getting into trouble."

There had also been several minor rescues involving people swimming in clothes rather than swimwear.

Mr Sefton said around the country several rescuers had got into trouble trying to help someone and had lost their lives.

"If you don't have the skillset to save someone, call 111 or one of the local surf clubs. If you're determined to go and help someone, take a flotation device like a body board so when you get to the person in trouble they have something to hold on to until help arrives."