HOLIDAY BATHERS URGED TO TAKE PRECAUTIONS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22826, 22 December 1948, Page 6

HOLIDAY BATHERS URGED TO TAKE PRECAUTIONS

The delayed summer weather has arrived and beaches in the district are becoming increasingly popular. Although the Waikanae Beach is regarded as one of the safest beaches in the Dominion, caution nevertheless should be exercised by bathers. Both the Waikanae and Wainui beaches are patrolled by members of surf clubs, Wainui during the weekends and, as a precaution, it has been asked that the general public bathe near the respective clubhouses. Patrols are then able to take instant action in an emergency, or to give warning of impending danger.

The members of the Gisborne Amateur Surf and Swimming Club patrol the area from the diversion cut to the end of Grey street and the Wainui club the Okitu Creek locality. The men are on call for duty elsewhere on the beach and the telephone numbers are listed in the directory. Any good surf beach has its dangers for the uninitiated and those unaccustomed to surf bathing at Wainui should not bathe alone and venture out where they may lose a footing Avoid bathing in holes at any stage of the tide unless they are obviously shallow. There is usually a channel and a seaward current associated with deep water close inshore. A line of breakers indicates a gradually shelving beach and the bathing spot to be chosen.

Arising out of the alarm at Wainui Beach last week-end the surf club members residing at the beach would appreciate it if persons intending to journey out in a vessel of any kind Would first contact one of their number. They would then be forewarned and in a better position to appreciate any position that might arise. Tho executive stated that the use of an open boat on the beach would be regarded as most unsafe because of the sudden chop that develops with a change in the wind.