While many surf life saving patrols have ended their week day patrols, the surf life saving patrol on Raglan’s Ngarunui Beach will continue on week days till February 19th. It is just as well with Raglan surf life savers reporting Sunday 7th February as a hectic day with 16 rescues, 3 first aids, 1 search and 600 preventative actions today. The team was exhausted from the crazy day that included a closed beach after a mass rescue. The red danger flag was raised and the flags dropped for 30 mins to keep people out of the dangerous conditions.
Full media release from Surf Life Saving New Zealand, 10 February 2016
Beaches wrap up for the summer
As the summer begins to wind down Surf Life Saving Northern Region (SLSNR) lifeguards are wrapping up most of their weekday patrols. Across the region, 18 of 24 beaches have ended their weekly regional guarding.
These beaches include: Far North, Baylys, Whangarei Heads, Ruakaka, Waipu Cove, Mangawhai Heads, Pakiri, Red Beach, Omaha, Wendeholm, Orewa, Mairangi Bay, Long Bay, Browns Bay, Milford, Takapuna, Karekare, Kariaotahi and Sunset.
Four of the Northern Region beaches will continue operations. Piha, United North Piha and Muriwai are still operating during the week until 18 March.
Bethells patrol guards will remain on patrol until 26 February and Raglan will operate during the week until 19 February.
Although these beaches have stopped regional guarding, they are still patrolled in the weekend until Easter weekend.
The Lifeguards have done a fantastic job and this season alone have worked over 63,000 hours and rescued more than 450 people.
Regional lifeguard supervisor Chase Cahalane says it has been a great summer and the lifeguards have done an exceptional job.
“We have had yet another busy season, the lifeguards have worked tirelessly to prevent injury and drowning on patrolled beaches and it has really paid off,” he says.
For more information about the beaches head to: http://www.lifesaving.org.nz/clubs/find-a-club/