Surf's up in studentville: Police warning for daredevil surfers spotted on flooded river

Wednesday, 27 July 2022

Surfers surf Dunedin’s swollen Leith, and attract the attention of Police.

Two students caught surfing in a swollen Dunedin waterway were given a firm warning by police to stay out of the water and not put themselves – or anyone potentially having to rescue them – at unnecessary risk.

Heavy rainfall caused the Water of leith to rise rapidly, leading police and Fire and Emergency New Zealand to evacuate 71 residents from 26 homes in the city’s student quarter on Tuesday night.

Residents were able to return on Wednesday.

The wild weather did not deter water sport enthusiasts, including kayakers and surfers, from testing out the raging white water.

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Police talk to a pair of surfers after they traversed the swollen Leith.

Surfers James Hayer and Toby Hille took to the Leith on Wednesday morning, attracting attention from passersby – and police.

“They firmly recommended that we don’t go back in … just so we are not putting anyone else in danger if they have to come and rescue us,” Hille said.

The pair were experienced surfers, who could “manage the risk”, though they acknowledged they were not used to rivers.

Rivers presented different dangers to the sea. The Leith was narrow with rocks on either side.

“If you get sucked under and hit your head you might go unconscious, and that is a worry.”

A man surfs the flooded Water of Leith on Wednesday morning.

While a more tranquil Leith often featured the odd shopping trolley or traffic cone, Hille said he was more worried about the presence of any needles or razor blades.

“But it was fine … we didn’t hurt ourselves.”

Both decided against going back in.

Hayer said the conditions were “not too bad actually”.

The water was “pumping”.

Senior Sergeant Anthony Bond said police “recommend that members of the public don’t enter into flooded waters … as they will be full of debris”.

“People are putting themselves at unnecessary risk by doing so.”

Otago Regional Council data showed the flow at the site where the pair surfed had been between 50 and 70 cubic metres per second (cumecs) since Tuesday.

A flood alert is first issued for the site when it gets to 55 cumecs. A second warning is issued at 85 cumecs.