Surf patrols for 'safe' beaches

Browns Bay will be patrolled by lifeguards seven days a week this summer after the drowning in January 16 of two children and a woman who tried to save them.

The deaths shocked those who saw the east coast's placid sandy bays as a safe alternative to the surf beaches of Auckland's west coast.

On January 12, twins Joshua and Tabitha Robinson, aged 7, were playing on boogie boards in calm waters in the centre of the beach.

But offshore winds and an outgoing tide pulled them beyond their depth.

They let go of their boards and tried to swim to shore.

Their sister Christle, 16, who was a strong swimmer, and Rosemary Hosie, 59, drowned trying to help the youngsters. Joshua died but Tabitha was saved.

In November 2002, resident Norman Fieldhouse, 74, died after going to the aid of two boys who got out of their depth off the southern end of Browns Bay.

Trained surf lifesavers will patrol North Shore City beaches, among them Browns Bay, seven days a week until Easter.

Ian McInnes, Tiffany Leeder and Andrew Mullinger are among those who will face crowds of up to 20,000 a day at Long Bay and up to 40,000 at other spots where concerts are held.

Council spokesman Warwick Robertson said the trio were experienced in reading dangerous water conditions and would advise swimmers.

They would carry rescue and first aid gear and be in cellphone contact with emergency services such as the coastguard and police.

The uniformed patrollers will promote the council's "Safe Summer" water safety campaign, which includes swimming pools.

They will also try to smooth out behaviour troubles at the beaches, enforcing council bylaws and parking and dog control measures.

The patrols have been welcomed by Vi Fieldhouse, who still swims at Browns Bay, where her husband's bravery is marked by a park seat.

Mrs Fieldhouse said her swimming spot of 30 years was no more dangerous than any other beach if people took care, especially of children. There was an undertow on the day her husband, who was "full-on and fit", held the boys' heads above water until help arrived.

After January's triple drownings, the East Coast Bays Community Board was asked to put up warning signs, but chairwoman Sally Cargill says this was not done because the community was split over whether the beach deserved to be marked as dangerous.