Dramatic rescue of surfer shows dangers of beaches 'not just a summer problem'

Wednesday, 7 July 2021

Police warn public about dangers of drowning in winter months when lifeguards aren't patrolling beaches.

The successful rescue of a surfer off a rugged beach on Auckland’s west coast has served as a reminder that not all are as lucky, police have warned.

With it currently being winter, police wanted to remind people that beaches and coastlines were still dangerous – with about half of the drownings from the past decade not happening during summer months.

On Wednesday, New Zealand Police released a video showing a recording taken from the Eagle helicopter of a male surfer being rescued off rocks at the notoriously dangerous Muriwai Beach.

Police said a member of the public had seen the surfer in trouble and called 111, getting the October 8 rescue under way.

New Zealand Police captured video of the rescue from the Eagle helicopter.

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Muriwai Beach on Auckland’s west coast is known for its dangers.

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The Eagle helicopter can act as a “big brother” during rescues. (File photo)

In the video, head lifeguard for Muriwai Beach’s volunteer squad Glenn Gowthorpe said it operates a 24/7 emergency call-out squad even when lifeguards are not patrolling.

They get called out by police to help in rescues.

A number of people have died off Muriwai Beach, the head lifeguard says.

For this particular rescue, Gowthorpe said he and another lifeguard made their way across the water to where the surfer was on the rocks.

He had been stuck on the rocks for about two hours and was cold, Gowthorpe said.

When they reached him, he appeared “apprehensive” to get back into the water but was relieved to be rescued.

Gowthorpe said that in many rescues, the Eagle helicopter was flying overhead and acted as a “big brother”.

“You never know what could happen. We might end up in trouble.”

The video then shows a large wave hitting the lifeguards and the surfer, nearly knocking them off the rocks, as they attempt to head back to shore.

Police officer Tristan, from the Eagle helicopter, said this video was able to show the successful rescue of the surfer but not all turned out that way.

Tristan said “a lot” went bad and the result was not what they wanted.

He said the Eagle helicopter spent a lot of time searching for people missing in the water – off the west coast in particular.

Many rescues turn to recovery missions, with an average of 39 people drowning off New Zealand beaches and coastlines every year.

Gowthorpe said the Muriwai call-out squad had been called to a number of potential rescues that did not turn out to be rescues.

“A number of people have died here and we really do urge people to make sure they are really, really careful.”

In a post, a police spokesperson said: “Just because it is winter does not mean our beaches and coastlines are any less dangerous.

“Drownings unfortunately can occur in any month at our beaches – in the past decade around half of the drownings were not during summer.”

Police said it was important to wear a lifejacket and go with a friend if fishing off rocks.

“Be prepared, check the weather and tell someone where you are going.”