Maketu Beach had to be closed on Saturday afternoon after surf lifesavers hauled seven people from the surf in a short period of time.
The big surf running created a gutter that was sucking people away from the beach, says patrol captain Nicholas Reid.
Maketu surf lifesavers rescued seven people on Saturday afternoon. Photo: Supplied
'They were just swimming outside of the flags. Then it was like the big surf had made a bit of a gutter, which was sweeping people into the channel,” says Nicholas today.
The surf combined with the tide going out saw seven people swept out to sea.
Nicholas and follow lifeguard Mania Newton performed the rescues.
'They were mainly young people that were just getting swept out of the channel,” says Nicholas.
'We used an IRB for one of them and for the rest we just used the tube.
'We usually don't get seven in a season so it was crazy for us. But it's good to have a bit of excitement.”
The beach was closed until the conditions improved.
None of the people rescued required first aid, says Nicholas.
'The gutter ended up taking people out from the flags, so we made the decision to close the flags, and we just warned people and told them it was not safe to swim.”
Similar conditions are expected today with the big surf continuing and the outgoing tide from 9am till 3pm.
4 comments
Alarming
Posted on 25-01-2016 10:28 | By Towball
Perhaps is something that all ocean users should be made more aware of. We have tsunami sirens so why shouldn't they be prospectively used as warning devices alarming unassuming beach users of the swells equally of rouge waves that frequently claim so many lives such as the young fellow last summer at the Mt also. Declined to put article comment on Reiger site or mention name as still very raw. Just an opinion that may help given this young gentleman was obviously very experienced and confident but still no match for the ocean with the respect it demands. Sincere condolences to all respective Family Friends Associates on behalf of Myself Family and Sun Live Readers supporters everywhere.
KIA TUPATO Be careful
Posted on 25-01-2016 14:14 | By Colleen Spiro
Yes you do speak on behalf of me to offer condolences to Hamish's family....very sad. But not sure where you live, but as far as I am aware we don't have sirens along the coat of the Mount or Papamoa, because the Council decided signs would be better.
Close, but no cigar
Posted on 25-01-2016 15:12 | By GS
Hey 'alarming' - the surf has been terrible for several days. Your idea would result in sirens constantly going off night and day, and driving all the residents batty. It wouldn't work at all.
@ towball
Posted on 25-01-2016 15:15 | By Captain Sensible
The high waves experienced now are a result of a tropical depression to the NE of NZ. It is normal for these weather systems to produce large swells and large swells normally produce, every now and then, larger swells which equates to larger than normal large waves as the swells combine. To have sirens wailing when a tropical depression approaches NZ is ridiculous. But to think a siren could warn people of these swells combining, often just seconds before they arrive at the beach, is even more ridiculous. But yes, I totally agree with your sincere condolences to all families involved in these awful tragedies.
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