Lifeguards up patrols early after spate of drownings

Auckland and PortWaikato lifeguards will start patrolling beaches onweekdays early this year after a recent surge in drownings and rescues. Surf Life Saving Northern Region (SLSNR) said weekday patrols would begin on a number of key beaches on November 29. Previously, they were to begin in the middle of next month. Three people have died and 62 others have been rescued in just over aweek, SLSNR said, and the region’s volunteer lifeguard servicewas exhausted. Weekday patrols will take place on Auckland’swest coast beaches – Bethells, Muriwai, Piha, Karekare and Karioitahi – along with PortWaikato’s Sunset Beach and Raglan. On November 16 a man died at Bethells Beach after being recovered from thewater unconscious by lifeguards. CPRwas performed, but he couldn’t be revived. On November 21, amanwas revived by lifeguards at Karekare Beach before being flown to hospital. Eight other people also got stuck in a rip at the beach over that weekend.