Gisborne’s Wainui Beach draws big R&V crowd, no rescues reported

Rhythm and Vines festival-goers made the most of the sunshine and lovely beach conditions out at Wainui on Monday with many hundreds of people spread along the beachfront and in the carparks. Photo / Murray Robertson

Wainui Beach proved a popular spot for hordes of Rhythm and Vines festival-goers yesterday with a peak crowd of around 500 near the surf club at 1pm.

An estimated 1500-2000 spread across the whole beach and in the various carparks.

Lifeguards kept a close watch on the swimmers in their flagged area.

“We had quite a few preventative actions, but no rescues,” Wainui head guard Clayden Hope said.

The district’s paid lifeguard supervisor Tyler Ranger said Wainui was definitely the more dangerous beach yesterday.

“There were lots of rips working along the beach, and there was quite a sizeable surf running.

“The big crowd of people, mainly R&Vers, were really amazing,” Ranger said.

“They were really respectful of the lifeguards and their behaviour was 100 per cent.”