THE five jet-skiers rescued from Lake Wanaka on Monday became stranded when they hit a gravel bar, the police said.
The group of friends from Wanaka and Queenstown called for help about 4.15pm when they could not restart their jet-skis.
They were picked up by four Wanaka Lakes Coastguard volunteers about an hour later, near the Matukituki River outlet into Lake Wanaka.
The group, aged 24 to 30, was taken to Glendhu Bay and treated by St John Ambulance staff.
Two were in the early stages of hypothermia, Constable Phil Vink, of Wanaka, said.
He understood they were all wearing life-jackets and the two jet-skis were a suitable size for carrying five people.
Coastguard president Jonathan Walmisley said the crew then returned to the gravel bar to retrieve the jet-skis and secure them at a nearby beach.
''It was a very successful outcome. They were reasonably well-equipped. They knew what they were doing. They did it right. I wish everybody did it right and everybody came home.''
- Jessica Maddock
