Latest news with #AndyKent
NZ Herald
10-05-2025
- General
- NZ Herald
On The Up: Bay of Plenty lifeguards credited for sharp drop in beach rescues
Surf Lifesaving NZ's general manager of lifesaving, Andy Kent, said it was 'incredibly positive' to see the numbers trend down. He said it was 'a testament' to preventive efforts and education by lifeguards. More than 4000 volunteer lifeguards nationwide worked more than 240,000 hours during the 2024/25 patrol season and carried out 47,487 preventive actions, involving nearly 1 million people. 'That's nearly double the previous patrol season, he said. 'Lifeguard actions included preventing swimmers from entering a rip current or hole and being swept away, or shifting board and ski riders to flagged areas.' Kent said surf lifeguards kept training and upskilling over winter, with volunteer Search and Rescue squads 'on standby' to respond to any incidents. Eastern Region surf lifesaving manager Chaz Gibbons-Campbell said Bay of Plenty lifeguards helped more than 380,020 people stay out of trouble with 4650 preventive actions this summer. That was more than double the prior summer. 'There is no question that increasing our preventative actions, including our lifeguards talking to more people about where best to swim or surf, and increasing our mobile patrol, is paying dividends.' He said the number of people needing help in the water had dropped by 42% from 195 in 2023/24 to 112 in 2024/25, and drownings were also trending down. Gibbons-Campbell said that between 2014 and 2024 there were 35 deaths and coastal drownings in the Bay of Plenty. Last year, there was only one coastal water death in the region, in Pāpāmoa. The 10-year average was three per year. Gibbons-Campbell said as more people visited Bay of Plenty beaches, the region's 850 volunteer lifeguards, including some who also had paid duties, had to remain vigilant. 'We have to be more nimble, agile and adapt to the weather conditions, as some people still choose not to swim between the flags or at unpatrolled beaches.' Surf Lifesaving NZ safety messages Knowing how to float increases your chance of survival. Find the safest place to swim – check to find a lifeguarded beach. If in doubt or if you cannot float, stay out – don't underestimate risks and never swim alone. Take care of others – always keep children within arm's length Know how to get help – let lifeguards know if someone is in trouble, or call 111 and ask for police. Sandra Conchie is a senior journalist at the Bay of Plenty Times and t who has been a journalist for 24 years. She mainly covers police, court and other justice stories, as well as general news. She has been a Canon Media Awards regional/community reporter of the year.
NZ Herald
30-04-2025
- Automotive
- NZ Herald
Far North news in brief: Dog show; doctors on strike and Blood Service in town
The NZ Blood Service will be in the Far North this month collecting much-needed donations of the lifesaving red liquid. The service will be at the Turner Centre, Kerikeri, on May 12 and 13; Te Ahu Centre, in Kaitāia on May 14 and 15 and Kaikohe Memorial Hall on May 16. For more details and to book an appointment go to Lifesaving season over Surf Life Saving New Zealand has wrapped up summer patrols, and rescue numbers are reportedly down across the country, which general manager Andy Kent is putting down to an increase in preventative actions. The Northern region saw the most hours worked across all the regions. A total of 266 people were rescued, 93 searches were conducted, 366 people were assisted and 23,457 preventative actions were taken from Labour weekend 2024 until April 28. The total hours worked for volunteers was 94,806. The patrolled beaches in Northland are Ahipara, Ruakākā, Whangārei Heads, Waipu and Mangawhai. Motor industry meet The Motor Industry Training Organisation is inviting Northland businesses to the MITO Northland Te Tai Tokerau Business Breakfast. The event takes place on May 7 at the Cricket Pavilion, Cobham Oval, Whangārei, from 8am to 9.30am. Industries represented include light and heavy automotive, collision repairs, commercial road transport and drilling, mining and quarrying. The Motor Industry Training Organisation team will also be on hand to discuss new training opportunities designed to support business growth and help future-proof the workforce. RSVP at MetalFest 4 Tickets are still available for Saturday's Kaitāia MetalFest 4. Tonnes of heavy metal mayhem will be on display at MetalFest 4, which will be held at Collard Tavern, from 7pm on May 3. Acts include Skumlord, Captured Kings, Grym Rhymney, FNA, Fork and DJ Blank Flag. Tickets available online at eventfinda.
Scoop
28-04-2025
- General
- Scoop
Focus On Prevention Results In Lowest Rescue Numbers In Three Years
A concerted focus on preventative action this summer saw Surf Life Saving New Zealand (SLSNZ) conduct 577 rescues over the summer patrol season (Labour Weekend – 28 April). The rescue number is down from 873 in the 23/24 season and 1472 in the 22/23 season. This is, in part, due to a significant increase in preventive action taken by surf lifeguards. Surf lifeguards completed 47,487 preventative actions involving nearly 1 million people - nearly double the number of people impacted last season. A preventative action is when a surf lifeguard identifies a potentially dangerous situation and takes precautionary action to prevent the situation from developing into, or contributing to, a real emergency. This includes actions such as preventing swimmers from entering a rip or hole, checking on swimmers who may appear to be in difficulty or shifting board and ski riders out of the flagged area. General Manager of Lifesaving Andy Kent says the reduction in people needing to be rescued is testament to the ongoing work and education surf lifeguards undertake on beaches up and down the country. 'The last thing anyone wants is beachgoers, and surf lifeguards, getting into a life-threatening situation. 'It's incredibly positive to see those rescue numbers start to trend down.' The busiest day for surf lifeguards on our beaches was 29 January with 90 incidents and nearly 200,000 people on our beaches. February was the busiest month with warmer weather encouraging more people into the water. Surf lifeguards worked over 240,000 hours keeping people safer this summer season with surf lifeguard hours increasing every year. Andy says New Zealand owes our over 4000 volunteer surf lifeguards a huge debt of gratitude. 'We can enjoy downtime on the beach because others are giving up their time to keep us safer.' 'That isn't just the hours you see them patrolling, but also the time spent training themselves and others to ensure our beaches aren't just safe now, but well into the future.' Andy says being a surf lifeguard is incredibly rewarding, offering opportunities to exercise, learn incredible teamwork and leadership skills and be part of a supportive club environment. He says a volunteer surf lifeguard's commitment to their community is year-round. 'Even though beach patrols have finished up for the season, surf lifeguards will continue to train and upskill over winter and our incredible volunteer Search and Rescue squads will remain on standby, ready to respond.' Andy says it is critical beachgoers take particular care during patrol off-season. 'Above all, if you have even the smallest doubt about your ability to get yourself out of trouble in the conditions, stay on the beach and get home to your whanau safely. And if you see anyone in trouble in the water, call 111 immediately and ask for Police,' says Andy.
