Quick Resources
Safety Guidelines
Stand Up Paddle Boarding
Below are some safety guidelines from New Zealand Standup Paddling Inc. NZSUP inc organises the national race championships and teams for international events, oversees SUP schools and instruction, and campaigns on behalf of all paddleboarders in New Zealand on matters of safety, legislation and all other aspects of negotiation and liaison with other governing bodies.
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Always wear a leash - use the correct type for the conditions.
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Wear a buoyancy aid
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Know the conditions - now and forecast
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Take two waterproof ways to contact people
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Tell someone your plans. Where you're going and when you'll be home.
Underwater Safety
Fit, Check & Signal
Fit, Check and Signal promotes the importance of health and safety considerations, especially for older male divers and the need for gear maintenance and pre-dive equipment checks. In addition, key safety messages include:
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Advise people where you are going diving and when you will return
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Use dive signaling devices – signal location and post dive surfaces, or when in distress
Beach Safety
Indentify Rips
Our beaches can give us some of our best summer memories but can also create potential risk with rips creating more rescues and emergencies than any other beach incident. It is so important that all Kiwis learn to recognise a rip and other potential dangers caused by currents so they can enter the water safely for a great beach experience. If in doubt, DON'T ENTER THE WATER. Always swim at a beach patrolled by Surf Lifeguards and swim between the flags.
Surf Lifesaving New Zealand
Swim Between the Flags
Surf Life Saving New Zealand patrol over 90 of our busiest beaches each summer. Always choose a lifeguarded beach and swim between the red and yellow flags, as they identify the safest area to swim. Go to the Safeswim website and click on the red and yellow flag at a beach near you for lifeguard times, beach hazards, safety warnings in place, weather conditions, tides, and in some locations, water quality information. Use Safeswim to help you choose which beach to swim at this summer. Don’t forget to check out the Beach Basics page on the SLSNZ website for the 10 key beach safety messages to keep you and your family safe.
Fishing Safety
Rock Fishing
Rock fishing is an increasingly popular recreational past-time but it is also extreme hazardous. Being swept off rocks by large waves is a major hazard.
Remember the following when rock fishing:
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Always wear a lifejacket
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Pay particular attention to swell and tide information.
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Never fish in exposed areas during rough or large seas
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Spend at least ten minutes observing the sea conditions before approaching the rock ledge
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Never turn your back on the sea
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Pay attention to warning signs
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Never fish from wet rocks where waves and spray have obviously been sweeping over them.
How to Stay Safe at Beaches
Know the water safety code when you're at the beach.
Be prepared including being alert to the conditions, Watch out for yourself and others, Be aware of the dangers such as rips and Know your limits. If you're at a patrolled beach, always swim between the flags.
Current Numbers
2023 DROWNING FATAILITIES TO DATE
14
There have been 14 official drownings to date in 2023. This number is updated weekly.
2022 DROWNING FATALITIES
93
There were 93 official preventable drowning fatalities in the 2022 calendar year.
2023 SUMMER DROWNINGS
14
There have been 14 official drownings to date in the 2023 summer period.
2021 DROWNING FATALITIES
90
There were 90 official preventable drowning fatalities in the 2021 calendar year.
MALE DROWNINGS
85%
As a gender split, 84.95% of 2022 drowning fatalities were male. 15.05% were female.
2020 DROWNING FATALITIES
84
There were 84 official preventable drowning fatalities in the 2021 calendar year.