As the warm weather hits the Kiwis flock to the beach. But the sun also brings a dark cloud. December alone saw 20 drownings, twice as many as the same time the year before. Rescuers are begging the Kiwis to stay safe this summer.

“If you are going to a beach you are not sure about, visit the Safeswim website. Make sure you plan ahead. If you are a little unsure when you get to the beach, have a chat with the lifeguard. , “said Matt Williams, CEO of Surf Life Saving.

But the problems are not only in the water, they are also on the land. Surf Life Saving has reported a constant stream of disorderly behavior to police over the New Years period.

The only thing is that the police went above and beyond themselves and weren’t always able to help.

Earlier this week, lifeguards at a beach in Piha expressed concerns over a man driving an all-terrain motorcycle recklessly along the beach. He was not wearing a helmet and also worried bathers.

There was also a brawl involving 10 to 12 men on Kariaotahi Beach which Surf Life Saving said was intimidating for the patrol. After reporting the incident to the police, rescuers had to wait almost two hours for help.

“We are doing everything we can to protect our lifeguards. If we see any mess, car theft, assault or brawl on the beach, we normally call the police and let them take care of it,” Williams said.

Police defend the delays, saying: “The police deploy daily to the beaches of Tāmaki Makaurau during the summer months and have additional staff working to carry out preventive patrols.”

But they added, “We can’t be everywhere all the time.”

But with the hot weather set to last for a while, everyone will need to be on guard and do their best when they hit the beach this summer.