People should swim on patrolled beaches, between the flags - which were there for a reason - and parents should keep toddlers within arm's reach at all times, Surf Lifesaving New Zealand Otago-Southland club development officer Steph Laughton said yesterday.
She said lifeguards observed several concerning behaviours from people who flocked to the city's beaches on Sunday and Monday, as temperatures soared.
Miss Laughton said lifeguards rescued at least six people, four on Sunday and two on Monday, at St Clair beach and six people were rescued at Brighton beach. It was likely others were also rescued by lifeguards at St Kilda beach.
One kayaker needed brief medical attention for shock after he and two friends were caught in a rip behind the salt water pool at St Clair, and pulled more than 100m out to sea.
Most of those rescued were caught in rips, Miss Laughton said.
Rips were ever shifting, which was why people should always swim between the flags, which were placed in the safest place to swim at the beach, and listen to the advice of lifeguards, she said.
People should also know their own limits and, if they were a poor swimmer, not go out too far.
Tomahawk beach had become more popular since sewage was diverted from the area, but people should take extra care there, as it was not patrolled.
The closest patrolled beach was St Kilda.
Week-day patrols would begin on December 20.
Another concerning trend lifeguards noticed at the weekend was unsupervised toddlers near the water.
"A wave could just come in knock them off their feet and scoop a kid away, especially on the outgoing tide. It is exceptionally dangerous, even more so than a swimming pool.
"It is really important for parents to be with a child at all times. They need to be within arm's reach," Miss Laughton said.
"Basically, summer's coming, and that's great, but this is a reminder that people need to be extra careful at the beach."
How to identify a rip. -
• Looks like a calm patch of water without any breaking waves either side of it.
• The water may be discoloured, foamy or appear criss-crossed.
• Moves constantly with the tide.
How to get out of a rip. -
• Stay calm; panic will make the situation worse.
• Swim parallel to the shore, back to water where the waves are breaking.
• If unable to swim through the rip, lie calmly on your back, let the rip carry you along. Raise your arm in to the air to signal for help.
SOURCE: STEPH LAUGHTON, of SURF LIFESAVING NZ
