Thur 27.12.12 - wed 02.01.13
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everyone reads the wanaka sun
inside:
New detective on the block page 3
50 years of rodeo page 6
Riding home for Christmas ‘It’s not rocket science’ Wanaka postwoman, Diane Davidson, finished her deliveries on Christmas Eve full of the joys of the season. She added a little festive cheer to her rounds in the lead up to Christmas decorating her motorbike with tinsel and antlers.
photo: wanaka.tv
Festive get together page 7
2012 in review pages 16-21
I saw three ships come sailing in... page 28
rental listings
sunclassifieds
page 27
Tim Brewster A bid to achieve zero drownings this summer by Water Safety NZ is achievable in the Southern Lakes but only if common sense is used, harbourmaster Marty Black said. “It’s not rocket science. Everyone needs to follow basic rules. Tell someone where you’re going, use safety gear and watch out for your mates.” The kayaker who drowned in Lake Te Anau last week had a life jacket but his boat was 30 years old and he had no communication device such as a flare, he said. The increase in recreation on the lake and rivers including a larger number of non motorised users such as lake swimmers and kayakers are also an area of concern. The new water feature on the Hawea River is an area that will require education as well, Marty said. Central Otago Whitewater committee member Roy Bailey said the feature has been designed for everybody, but does
photo: wanaka.tv
require caution. “We don’t want to discourage people using it but they need to be aware it is a whitewater feature with powerful hydraulics at work,” he said. A newly installed sign asks that users wear a helmet and lifejacket.It is
also recommended swimmers do not swim in and around the whitewater features, and there is work being done on a more detailed explanation of the feature and its construction for users to read before entering the water. Roy said the area is now safer as the
riverbed has been smoothed off and there are no snags. Between 2007 and 2011 there were 23 fatal drownings in the Queenstown Lakes District with 52 percent of the fatalities occurring to people on their own. The majority of these could have been easily avoided by following basic safety rules, Marty said. “From these local drownings there are three clear messages, wear a life jacket, make sure it fits and works properly and if swimming make sure you have a mate who can keep an eye on you.” Water Safety NZ CEO Matt Claridge said 86 people have drowned in our waters so far this year, and while the number is down on the same time last year, it is still too high. “New Zealand has one of the worst drowning tolls in the developed world. This is a nationwide problem that everyone needs to play a part in solving,” he said. “If everyone is prepared, knows their limits and keeps an eye on their friends and family in and around the water, we can reverse the trend.”