Paid guards rescue three at city beaches

Tairāwhiti’s Surf Life Saving NZ club development officer Jess Buscke has praised the three Gisborne surf clubs and their volunteers for their patrol efforts during the big crowd day last Saturday. Thousands hit the beaches, many of them here for the Rhythm and Vines festival. Picture by Kevin Weatherley

The district’s paid surf lifeguards have had their first rescues of the season this week. Two people were saved at Midway and another one at Waikanae.

“The beaches have been consistently busy over the past week,” said SLSNZ club development officer for Tairāwhiti Jess Buscke.

“We had a double rescue on Monday at Midway where two people were brought to shore with the assistance of our paid guards.

“The Waikanae guards carried out a rescue on Tuesday where one person was brought to shore after drifting beyond their comfort zone.

“Both rescue situations were quite simple,” she said.

“Other than that we’ve been concentrating on preventative actions.”

Mrs Buscke said beach conditions in the city had been relatively calm and the water had been fairly clear of any debris.

“Wainui has had some days of high winds and quite choppy surf, but the water’s warm and people have been swimming out there regularly despite the windy conditions.

“It has been noted people have been using the flagged area more at that beach, which is really good.”

Tolaga Bay had been active at both ends of the campground, around the rocks at both ends and at the wharf, she said.

“There’s been no incidents of note up there so far this week.”

She pointed to the work the volunteer lifeguards did last weekend in managing the big crowds on the beaches, particularly on Saturday.

“All three Gisborne clubs banded together brilliantly and did a really good job.

“The crowds at Wainui were unbelievable on Saturday.

“It was so awesome to see the beach so full of people (5000 at peak on Saturday), and behaving so well, enjoying themselves.”