Surf lifesavers plead with beachgoers to only swim during patrol hours

Lifeguards at Karioitahi Beach – south of Auckland – where four people have died in six weeks are pleading for beachgoers not to swim outside of patrol hours, Newshub reports. “We’re seeing an increase in people swimming after hours and therefore not knowing where the flags may have been set up,” says Tara Coe, head of surf lifesaving at Karioitahi. “We are urging people not to swim unless the beach is lifeguarded.” Because lifeguards know the strength of the currents better than most.