I cannot believe it, Rogers is going PC on us!
Yes, it is ridiculous to insist on wearing lifejackets in boats and not on wearing them in the surf, but for goodness sake man, get real and ridicule those ‘everything must be safe' do-gooders and oppose the legislation for wearing of lifejackets in boats. I can't believe you are suggesting flotation devices that might be suitable for swimmers.
Having spent six years sailing around the world with my family, rowing ashore a thousand times in an 8ft dinghy, and no-one putting on a lifejacket once, I'm buggered if I'm wearing a lifejacket to go fishing in the harbour in a very strong 17ft tinny.
Your once admirer,
Dick Sayer, Katikati.

Editor's Note: Thanks Steve and Dick. It is not a matter of PC, its a protest over the double standards that allow, in fact almost celebrate, that people throw themselves unprepared into the surf then expect to get rescued, while other watersports have enforced buoyancy aid regulations.
As for boating, there is no law demanding the wearing of lifejackets, it's at skipper's discretion unless crossing a bar or in a situation of risk; the law says you have to carry (not necessarily wear) a fitting one for all on board. It's not a PC issue but one of a financial monkey when the cost to the public of saving people from their own stupidity in the surf reaches ridiculous levels. The ratepayer contribution alone is $141,800 a year on Mount and Papamoa beaches.
That's just the Tauranga City Council contribution annually to lifesaving and doesn't include donations, volunteer time, police time and many other costs. Or putting up with the back slapping tripe such as Piha Rescue that tries to glorify the stupidity.
I applaud the risk takers who are happy to flirt with death while having fun. As long as it's not at a cost to the rest of us. Happy swimming.
Brian Rogers.