Surf Life Saving Northern Region lifeguards are steeling themselves for another busy long weekend. Photo / SLSNZ
Surf Life Saving Northern Region lifeguards are steeling themselves for another busy long weekend. Photo / SLSNZ
Record numbers of beachgoers and water rescues this summer have left exhausted lifeguards "shattered" with no end in sight as fine weather continues.
According to statistics released by Surf Life Saving Northern Region (SLSNR), the number of people on Auckland, Northland and Waikato beaches at peak times is around 30,000 more than last summer.
As a result of the increase in beachgoers, an almost 170 per cent increase in rescues has been recorded in the month of patrolling since Christmas.
Almost as much of an increase in searches for people missing on the beach has also been observed.
Northern Region operations manager Adam Wooler said the high numbers meant that volunteer patrols have worked 3000 hours more this summer than last year, and lifeguards had been left "literally shattered" after busy weekends.
Auckland Anniversary Weekend would not serve as a relief for those on duty, with SLSNR expecting more of the record beach numbers with fine weather and large swells forecast on the west coast.
The one statistic that isn't up for the Northern region is drownings.
"Thus far, we've been able to avoid any tragic outcomes on our patrolled beaches but we've had a great many close calls," Wooler said.
The zero statistic in drownings could be partly supported by a change to the patrolling model this season.
The number of people on Auckland, Northland and Waikato beaches at peak times is around 30,000 more than last summer. Photo / Dean Purcell
"We've been trialling an extension of patrols until 7pm at necessary locations and we think this has made a difference to the outcomes," Wooler said.
"In the past we might have expected to see more search and rescue activities happening – which usually occur after hours – but having patrols active for longer in the evening seems to have had some positive effect on that."
Although, Wooler said SLSNR couldn't take all the credit, as improved behaviours by beach-goers had also been a contributing factor.
"We'd like to think behaviour has improved – and at many beaches we are seeing much more sensible actions by swimmers. There is always room for improvement though and the high number of rescues still indicate some poor beach-goer behaviours."
That means the hardy perennial messages around swimming between the flags and avoiding rips – and assessing conditions before entering the water, Wooler said.
"These should be a habit by now, like doing up your seatbelt when you get in a car."
The new patrol model, which is being trialled at the Auckland beaches this summer, is likely to be extended to the region's Northland and Waikato beaches next summer.
The model arose from studies into coastal beach safety around Auckland by SLSNZ researcher Nick Mulcahy, including a review of rescue patterns, beach signage and public rescue equipment.
"Nick's research identified that the early evening period was a time when incidents tended to happen and it made sense for lifeguards to be there at that time, so we have reconfigured our service to align with that," Wooler said.
