Focus On Prevention Results In Lowest Rescue Numbers In Three Years

A concerted focus on preventative action this summer saw Surf Life Saving New Zealand (SLSNZ) conduct 577 rescues over the summer patrol season (Labour Weekend – 28 April). The rescue number is down from 873 in the 23/24 season and 1472 in the 22/23 season. This is, in part, due to a significant increase in preventive action taken by surf lifeguards. Surf lifeguards completed 47,487 preventative actions involving nearly 1 million people - nearly double the number of people impacted last season.

A preventative action is when a surf lifeguard identifies a potentially dangerous situation and takes precautionary action to prevent the situation from developing into, or contributing to, a real emergency. This includes actions such as preventing swimmers from entering a rip or hole, checking on swimmers who may appear to be in difficulty or shifting board and ski riders out of the flagged area.

General Manager of Lifesaving Andy Kent says the reduction in people needing to be rescued is testament to the ongoing work and education surf lifeguards undertake on beaches up and down the country.

“The last thing anyone wants is beachgoers, and surf lifeguards, getting into a life-threatening situation.

“It’s incredibly positive to see those rescue numbers start to trend down.”

The busiest day for surf lifeguards on our beaches was 29 January with 90 incidents and nearly 200,000 people on our beaches. February was the busiest month with warmer weather encouraging more people into the water.

Surf lifeguards worked over 240,000 hours keeping people safer this summer season with surf lifeguard hours increasing every year.

Andy says New Zealand owes our over 4000 volunteer surf lifeguards a huge debt of gratitude.

“We can enjoy downtime on the beach because others are giving up their time to keep us safer.”

“That isn’t just the hours you see them patrolling, but also the time spent training themselves and others to ensure our beaches aren’t just safe now, but well into the future.”

Andy says being a surf lifeguard is incredibly rewarding, offering opportunities to exercise, learn incredible teamwork and leadership skills and be part of a supportive club environment. He says a volunteer surf lifeguard’s commitment to their community is year-round.

“Even though beach patrols have finished up for the season, surf lifeguards will continue to train and upskill over winter and our incredible volunteer Search and Rescue squads will remain on standby, ready to respond.”

Andy says it is critical beachgoers take particular care during patrol off-season.

“Above all, if you have even the smallest doubt about your ability to get yourself out of trouble in the conditions, stay on the beach and get home to your whanau safely. And if you see anyone in trouble in the water, call 111 immediately and ask for Police,” says Andy.

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