Quiet season for lifeguards

LIFEGUARDS experienced a relatively quiet time patrolling Himatangi Beach this summer, with the 412 preventative actions one of the lowest recorded for some time.

Surf Life Saving Western Districts Manager, Joss Urbahn, was surprised at how quiet Himatangi Beach was compared to other beaches to the south, especially Otaki.

“The holes and rips along the West Coast have been terrible this summer, but Himatangi seems to have escaped the worst of it,” she said.

Ten rescues were carried out by lifeguards during the summer – slightly up on the two previous seasons.

Lifeguard numbers at the beach remained steady and funding support for the regional guard was provided by the Manawatu District Council’s Partnership Fund.

Lifeguard statistics, including voluntary patrols (weekends) and regional guard (weekdays), for Himatangi Beach over the past three summers:

2008/09 2007/08 2007/06

Hours worked 1333 1901 1718

Rescues 10 8 7

First aids 7 3 7

Searches 1 - -

Preventative actions 412 656 883