Mangawhai beach rescue: Young swimmers pulled to safety by off-duty lifeguard

Tuesday, 6 October 2020

A dramatic rescue has prompted lifeguards to warn about water safety, especially while surf lifesaving clubs are not on patrol.

Two 10-year-old girls were pulled from the water at Mangawhai on Sunday afternoon by local surfers and a lifeguard on a training exercise.

The beach, just north of Auckland, was as busy as a summer’s day due to the warm weather and school holidays, John-Michael Swannix, support services supervisor for Surf Life Saving Northern Region, said.

The inshore hole has developed against the rocks leading to Sentinel Rock at Mangawhai Heads, and lifeguards are urging swimmers to avoid swimming there. (File photo)

The girls got stuck in an inshore hole, which had developed at the south end of the beach directly in front of the surf club, Swannix said.

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Surf lifesavers do not start their weekend patrols until Labour Weekend in Northland. (File photo)

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While surf lifesaving patrols do not start until Labour Weekend, Mangawhai Heads Emergency Callout Squad leader Jess Costello had just finished a training session when she saw the girls get into trouble at about 4pm.

Mangawhai Heads and Waipū Cove Emergency Callout Squad members had a successful joint training day on Sunday, October 4, before getting involved in a dramatic rescue.

Two local surfers helped keep the girls afloat while Costello paddled out on a rescue board. She pulled one onto the board and, with the help of one of the surfers, got both back to shore.

Swannix said the two girls were uninjured but exhausted by the time they got in.

“Their dad was waiting for them and very, very thankful that they had been saved,” he said.

“It doesn’t take very long for people to get tired in these situations, especially children. They were probably only struggling for around five minutes.”

Mangawhai beachgoers need to watch for the hole – by the rocks, especially at low tide – which is causing a strong rip, Swannix said.

Costells said the hole will be deceptive because it looks like a calm patch of water, but it is not safe to swim in.

“If people do get caught in a hole or a rip they need to relax, float on their back and raise their hand to signal for help.

“It’s also important for children to be supervised and within arm’s reach at all times when in the water.

“The risk is greater at times like this when lifeguards are not on duty.”

People who see someone in trouble in the water should call 111 and ask police for the lifeguards, Costello said.

She is pleased the training exercise was a success.

“Sunday was all about ensuring the Mangawhai and Waipū Emergency Callout Squads are rescue ready as we head into the summer, and it’s pretty crazy that was put to the test on the same day.”

The Mangawhai Heads squad also rescued four people fishing off rocks on August 22, while the Waipū Cove squad saved the life of a kayaker on August 27.

Swannix said the key safety messages at the moment are for beachgoers to not overestimate their ability, never surf or swim alone, keep young children within arm’s reach, and if in doubt, stay out.