Swimmers forget about dangers on beaches

Press, 6 January 1987, Page 6

Swimmers forget about dangers on beaches

Many swimmers forgot about dangerous areas at Canterbury beaches even though the dangers had been widely publicised, said the co-ordinator of the Canterbury lifeguard squad, Mr Geoff Barry, yesterday. Four people were rescued from a rip at Taylors Mistake yesterday afternoon. The rescues were made between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., and those retrieved needed the rubber rescue

tube, said Mr Barry. Noone was injured. The rip at Taylors was to the right of the surf clubhouse. Swimming would be particularly hazardous when the tide was going out, which this week was in the afternoon, said Mr Barry. A large family had to be moved away from a hole at Cave Rock, Sumner, yesterday, even though a warning sign was only 15 metres away. A man drowned while swim-

mlng in the hole three weeks ago. Several young children had also been swimming with the family. “If the patrol had not been there, it could have been worse,” said Mr Barry. Most beaches had been surprisingly quiet considering the day had been “perfect”, for swimming. Only about 200 people were swimming at New Brighton, which was “quiet” for the holiday.