Wet and windy start to Whanganui beach patrols

Life guard and former WHS student Sarah McDonald checks gear at Castlecliff on the first patrol day yesterday.
PHOTO: Bevan Conley

Although weather conditions were less than ideal, life guards assembled at the Castlecliff Surf Club for the first day of summer patrols yesterday.

As the wind swept up the beach, the surf lifeguards assembled inside the club rooms to check their gear before heading out on patrol.

Half the guards were heading for Mowhanau Beach at Kai Iwi while the rest set up the patrol and put out the flags at Castlecliff.

"We don't expect swimmers on days like this," said life guard Vincent Nowak.

"We sometimes get wind surfers in this weather and if people turn up to swim, we advise against it.

Mr Nowak, who is beginning his sixth summer as a life guard said he would like to remind Whanganui people about some basic beach safety tips as the summer season starts.

"Swim between the flags and talk to lifeguards," he says.

"We are here to help and give friendly advice."

Unsupervised children coming to the beach are a concern for life guards and Mr Nowak said there are rules about guardianship.

"Children who are too young to be left at home alone are also too young to be swimming at the beach on their own.

"It's important to stay within your depth as well.

"Children will follow an older swimmer in to deeper water so it's important to stay within their depth if you are supervising them."

Life guards will be on duty every day from midday until 6pm at Castlecliff and 5.30pm at Mowhanau.