Surf Life Saving New Zealand is asking Hastings ratepayers for just over $52,000 to set up a new service at Waipatiki to ensure public safety next summer.
Hastings District Council already provided $50,244 for lifeguard services at Ocean and Waimarama beaches. It had also this year approved $7000 to set up a trial summer service at Waipatiki while Napier City Council committed $10,000.
This month Surf Life Saving New Zealand wrote to the Hastings council asking for it to earmark a further $52,100 in its 2013/14 annual plan, which would go towards set up costs and wages for the new regional lifeguard service at Waipatiki.
It wanted three lifeguards at Waipatiki, seven days a week, working 42 days of the summer season. Ocean Beach and Waimarama had four lifeguards working five days a week, over 30 days of the summer period.
A minimum of three lifeguards should be stationed at each of the beaches as it was the lowest number of people needed to operate an inflatable rescue boat. The beach, north of Napier had not had a lifeguard service and was becoming a popular spot for visitors during summer. In January, Analisa Tipu had been diving under the surf with her cousin, Leilani Wong at Waipatiki when they were dragged out to sea. They were rescued by a group of Napier teens.