There has been mention in some news outlets of a 'rogue wave” causing the unfortunate tragedy at the northern harbour entrance this week.
I see that the intelligent media has not fallen into the trap, and services such as SunLive have not used the term. The 'rogue” wave phrase is bandied around all too often.
Harbour entrances and bars, such as Bowentown, are treacherous places in the wrong conditions. At the time of this disaster, such conditions were obvious. Large waves rising up out of seemingly nowhere; confused sea, near to low tide, meaning the sea swells would be rising and breaking randomly over the shallows at times.
We feel for this family's terrible loss but please, media and police, do not try to blame it on some unexplained phenomena.

R. Shaw, Otumoetai.