Pamela Moresby
Piha West Auckland is one of the most dangerous beaches of New Zealand. However, every beach anywhere is dangerous. Never underestimate the power of the sea.
This is the helicopter coming to retrieve the body of the drowned man I saw on the beach at Wendleholm. Thought what the police were photographing was a chest of drugs being smuggled into NZ .I did not know what I photographed was of a drowned man until I went home. However the little Dotterel bird seemed to comfort me, and the police presence was very strong.
I never want to see that happening to anyone again, but like many people like to believe that they are invincible. No matter how old you are, or what ever age, you are human and no one is invincible.
The story of the drowned man was of one that of a man who lived further north and went out in his boat in a harbour that seemed calm. He lost his inflatable boat and tried to swim for it. A week later this body was identified as the very man. A thing is not worth a human life. You can replace things but not life.
The weather can change within seconds and it pays to check the weather before going out into the sea. It pays to wear a life jacket, it pays to know everything you can about water safety. Wear appropriate clothing for a boat. Swim between the flags in a surf beach. Dont swim alone and tell some one where you are going if you are fishing on the rocks.
So I told people to learn to swim, but did not know how to swim freestyle. As a child at school there was a certain teacher who had a reputation of bruising children with the strap. He had a short and very bad teacher and told me to leave the floating board and swim on my own. I was more frightened of him so I floated on my own and although he never gave me instruction, found myself being more confident in the water.
It was not really good enough to copy others with breath stroke and backstroke and swim underwater. I needed to learn to swim properly.
This year I have been learning to swim and joined the gym. Im still learning and making great progress at 63 yrs old. Yes, there are some you can teach new tricks. Don’t let age dictate to you. If there is a will then there’s a way!
This boy obviously knows how to float. He’s jumping off a wharf at Orewa beach.
I have good teachers at Jellicoe Pools in Onehunga that teach me to swim. Its a YMCA gym and there are people very large and very small. No one is treated badly – its a friendly atmosphere and no judgements on anyone. Everyone who goes is doing the same, trying to improve and do their best.
I met a woman there who is 73 years old and walks with a stick. She swam 20 lengths in one session although she did take some breaks. Im in admiration. There is another woman in her 30s or 40s with a stick and walks the pool. She is getting better and recovering from here injuries.
Learning to Swim is a good idea. Best thing in Auckland before you swim at a beach is to find out if its safe to swim. Recently we have found that when storms have struck, some of the Auckland beaches are badly polluted. So best to find out first if its safe to swim. Most of those beaches should have notices on it if they are polluted.
Enjoy the water to swim but take care and obey the safety rules. Stay alive and if you take calculated risks you are Ok
Pamela very nice post – some do not really respect the power and danger of the sea – at all with you it is more dangerous
It is so sad when people die when they are exaggerating their skills. I can’t swim and I am very careful in water, but I think that most people who drawn actually know how to swim.
Actually people like that man only wanted his inflatable raft. He overestimated his skills and was extremely careless. He paid the price for that.
Being careful is good, learning to swim is a good thing but even a very good swimmer is not invincible.
Thanks Ellie.
Extraordinary story. Thank you.
Thanks so much Robin
It’s never too late to learn something new, not even swimming.I’m sorry you were a witness of sad scenes.
Happened 3 yrs ago but it still impresses me, the need of awareness of safety in the water. Im grateful to be able to do that one small thing. Thanks Marija
I was lucky, we had a pool and I learned to swim soon after I began to walk. I love the water, but know of its dangers. That coast line can have bad ripe tides. I remember other posts youve made about the dangers. Good job on the swimming lessons, you rock Girl! Never too old to learn new tricks, this proves it.
Thanks Kim, I was in Dad’s dingy out fishing from 3 yrs of age and close to that I caught 2 snapper fishing from the middle of the Manukau harbour. I could float with confidence do breath stroke and back stroke and swim underwater but never was taught how to do free style properly.
Now I am beginning to get confidence thanks to really good instructors.
Agree at 100% that it’s very dangerous to underestimate the power of the sea. And other water reservoirs, too.
Thanks so much Anastasia.
Oh my, poor guy…
We used to be “forced” to take basic swimming lesson back in school…
not sure if it’s still the same now…
Being able to stay afloat is really important…
The Swimming instructors at Jellicoe pools are really good and I’ve seen them with children and they are very good.
That’s good to know!
the kids are in safe hands
Oh my, what a horrible thing for you to witness. I have witnessed many bad things in my life and they are hard to get out of your mind. An important post to all, especially this time of the year with all the kids and adults swimming.
Thanks so much Carol. Its important to learn from everything in life.
Yes it is, I would like to pick and choose the lessons but that is not how it works.
Orewa beach in New Zealand’s North Island. NZ has beautiful rivers for flyfishing, my sport.
Yes, there are plenty of rivers for fly fishing. Some places in the Waikato river has some excellent places. Also plenty of places in the South Island.
It must be a paradise for fishing. Pleasant climate, unknown places terrain.
When I was little I was called a fish because I loved to swim. Yes, learning to swim could saves lives.
Thanks Jenna, you have the right attitude. Seeing what I saw on the beach did not take away my love for the sea. It just triggered me to do what I could to impress on people to enjoy the water but take care at the same time