Surf life savers move to Ahuriri as report deems Marine Parade too unsafe for swimming and Napier’s Ocean Spa to get a makeover.

Napier’s Pacific Surf Lifesaving Club is moving its lifeguarding watch from Marine Parade to Hardinge Road. Extensive research has shown that the previous location is unsafe for swimming.

Instead, the lifeguards will patrol beaches from Perfume Point to Port Beach between November and March.

The move comes after a Surf Life Saving Club Coastal Safety Report carried out by Surf Life Saving New Zealand earlier this year signalled a need for surf lifeguard patrols at Ahuriri, Port and Sandy beaches. It also found there is no need for patrols at Marine Parade due to extremely low numbers of beach users over the summer period.

Mick Kearney of Surf Life Saving New Zealand said it was a positive outcome for beach users as it would bring increased safety to Napier’s busiest swimming spots this summer. Pacific Surf Life Saving Club will have a tower based in front of the Harbour View Motel with flags located on Hardinge Rd Beach between Perfume Point and Hot Chick.

Napier City Council acting chief executive Richard Munneke said he supported the move and commended Surf Life Saving New Zealand for the investigation and subsequent report.

‘It makes sense for lifeguards to go where the people are. Marine Parade beach is completely unsafe for swimming. It is really important the Napier community helps spread the word to visitors that may not be aware of the dangers: stay well away from the water at Marine Parade.”

Surf lifeguards will start weekend patrols on Saturday, 3 December and run until Sunday, 5 March 2023. Council-funded weekday lifeguards will also patrol this location over the school holiday period from 19 December to 27 January.

Ocean Spa to be run by Napier City Council 

In another waterfront change, Napier’s well-loved waterfront pools and facilities, Ocean Spa, are coming under the management of the city council from February next year.

Mayor Kirsten Wise announced on Wednesday that the pools, which have always been owned by the council, but operated by a third party, would then close for about six-to-eight weeks for upgrades and refurbishments. The gym would remain open throughout.

Ocean Spa turns 20 in early 2023, she said, when the council would begin to manage operations, staffing and general management.

“Ocean Spa is an important asset for our community and it’ll be wonderful to see it freshened up and cared for by our facilities team. Adding it to our portfolio means we can use the skills and resources we have, which already benefit our other facilities, for Ocean Spa too. It’s great to broaden the number of recreational opportunities we can provide for our community.”

Safety would be a focus said Munneke, with a ‘multidisciplined team’ running the show, including maintenance workers, customer service and promotion and management staff.

“it’s a good opportunity to bring Ocean Spa under our wing and give it some love. It’s a great place that visitors and locals enjoy using and we’re proud to have it as part of the places and spaces we look after.”

Munneke thanked those who had managed the facility and its customers for the last 20 years.

Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air.