80 rescues so far this summer for beach lifeguards with more people using the beach so far than last year

A steady start to the summer for the country’s surf lifeguards as they close in on 100 saves since Labour Weekend.

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Newstalk ZB’s Murray Robertson says there’s been 80 rescues around the country going into this weekend, with 64 on the northern beaches and 15 in the Bay Of Plenty.

While there’s been no particularly dramatic rescues so far, lifeguards are describing it as a solid number this early in the season, and a busier start than last year – showing people are using the beaches in greater numbers.

Incidents of swimming away from flagged areas are showing up, so too are people not wearing the right attire or not having the right equipment for swimming, notably youngsters on boogie boards without flippers.

Nearly 16,000 voluntary hours have already been put in this year by surf lifesavers around New Zealand.

– NewstalkZB

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