Surf Life Saving launches rip current summer safety campaign
Tuesday, 25 December 2018
Every year hundreds of Kiwis die in the water. They don't need to.
Stuff is working with Water Safety New Zealand to help Kiwi kids stay safe in summer. And we'd like your help.
The money raised through this Givealittle page will go towards ensuring dozens of Kiwi lives are saved.
Surf Life Saving NZ is ripping into a new summer campaign.
It comes as National MP Chris Penk calls on the Government to fund surf lifesaving as an emergency service.
Rips are a huge risk for beach-goers in New Zealand; with 51 fatalities in the past 10 years and about 700 non-fatal rip rescues occurring each year.
The SLSNZ rip current safety education campaign aims to ensure swimmers know what to do if they find themselves caught in a rip by urging people to remember the three R's - Relax and float, Raise your hand and Ride the rip.
**READ MORE:
* Deadly waters: New Zealand's drowning problem more than a disturbing statistic
* Cash-strapped surf lifesavers to get 48 brand new vehicles
* Chaos at the beach over long weekend**
Paul Wakelin, 23, was setting a fishing line on an early January morning in 2015 when his brother John, 19, was swimming with a friend. The pair were in waist-deep water but were caught in a rip. They called out for help and Paul went in to save them.
Surfers came to their aid but by that time both Paul and John were face-down in the water, unresponsive. They soon disappeared beneath the waves. Their friend was helped to shore.
Coroner Carla na Nagara highlighted that rips were a major problem along coastlines and every year about 80 per cent of rescues were the result of someone getting caught in one.
Her report said information, if brought to public attention, may reduce the chances of the occurrence of other deaths in circumstances similar to that of Paul and John.
The pair's father Christopher said the loss of his 'boys' was a source of deep-seated anguish but if their stories could save one other person it helped.
SLSNZ chief executive Paul Dalton said 80 per cent of rescues involved swimmers caught in rip currents.
'Many people think when they are caught in a rip that they're strong enough to out swim it, but not even an Olympic swimmer can beat a rip.'
'Rip currents will quickly carry you away from the shore and it will be frightening, but if you follow the three R's you will be in the best possible position to get to safety.'
With summers in New Zealand getting hotter and the beaches more packed with people, there was never been a better time to create more awareness around rip safety, he said.
He was confident the 'catchy and easy to remember message' would have a real impact.
Meanwhile, Helensville MP Chris Penk has launched a petition to gather support for recognition of surf lifesaving as an emergency service.
'Surf lifesaving is a vital service provided by thousands of Kiwi volunteers … clubs currently rely on funding from a combination of sporting and community grants, fundraising efforts and private sponsorship.'
This meant surf lifesaving was forced to compete with sporting and community organisations and as a result, it was difficult for clubs to make long-term plans and focus on the vital services they provide to their communities, Penk said.
'This summer, I am calling on the Government to recognise surf lifesaving as an essential emergency service and allocate funding directly, to ensure our clubs remain active and sustainable into the future.'