Auckland Council won't ban wharf-jumping despite safety fears

Tuesday, 25 July 2017

Gavin Parish wants better signage and education to prevent serious accidents when wharf jumping.

Auckland Council won't ban jumping at popular water spots this summer, despite fears that swimmers could end up dead or seriously injured.

A number of young men have become quadriplegics after jumping off the wharf at Maraetai Beach and suffering spinal injuries.

However previous attempts by the council to ban diving at danger spots have failed, and it now takes a different approach.

Wharf-jumping - or dive-bombing - is a popular Kiwi summer past-time, but left 100s injured in the past year.

'We cannot control how people choose to act,' said Simon Randall, acting head of operational management and maintenance.

**READ MORE:

A number of Kiwis have been seriously injured jumping off the wharf at Maraetai Beach in Auckland.

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* Jonathan Milne: Cotton wool won't save wharf jumpers

Holidaymakers jump off the wharf at Auckland's popular Maraetai Beach swimming spot on Boxing Day, 2016.

* Teen died after being hit chain-bombing off Raglan bridge

* Wharf-jumpers in Wellington Harbour lucky to be alive**

'We've stopped using signs that ban diving as people often ignore them. Our signs are now informative and educational, and including warning of risks.'

ACC saw 230 claims last year for injuries suffered at jumping or diving structures around the country, ranging from cuts and bruises to surgery for shattered ankles and damaged spines.

That's a sharp increase on previous years, which has prompted calls for national action.

Rick Acland, a consultant at the Auckland and Christchurch spinal units, said on Sunday it was 'almost criminal' to support wharf jumping.

'It is shocking. The risk of getting seriously injured is high. It is absolutely unacceptable to even contemplate jumping off a wharf or jetty into water of unknown depth,' he said.

Randall said anyone jumping off wharfs or rocks should assess factors such as the temperature and depth of the water.

'That includes checking warning signs, making sure surfaces they are standing on are stable and not slippery, the area they are jumping into is clear and there are no submerged/hidden objects or people and the water is deep enough to ensure they do not hit the bottom,' he said.

Auckland Council has been conducting a review of safety signage around swimming spots, and intends to have it completed before the summer season.

'We aim to have suitable signs up and running by the end of winter, if not sooner,' said Randall. 'Many are already in place.'

The council is engaging with local communities to try and improve safety, and also works with other agencies such as Watersafe to increase publicity around key messages.

Randall said the council did not have resources to employ safety guards, but would take steps that were reasonably practicable to provide education and help keep people safe.

Anyone with concerns about wharf jumping hot spots can contact Auckland Council directly on 09 301 0101.