Warning signs along the Mid Canterbury coast are being reviewed following the drowning of a woman at the Rakaia River on February 8.
It comes as hot weather entices people to the sea, including an adult and child observed in the water at Wakanui Beach by this reporter.
Mid Canterbury’s stony beaches are not for swimming. They have a steep underwater slope close to the shore, creating a powerful undertow that can pull swimmers out to sea.
The Rakaia River mouth tragedy occurred when a family group from Christchurch was attempting to cross a slim spur between the sea and neighbouring lagoon on quad bikes.
It was the following day that an adult and child were on the shore of Wakanui Beach and in the water for about 10 minutes. The child was up to just below their knees, while the adult was up to above their ankles. Most of the time the child’s hand was being held by the adult but was occasionally let go to film the child.
The pair may not have noticed a Beach Unsafe for Swimming sign. The sign is easily missed by motorists driving in, as it is small and one of three signs on a post near the entrance roadway.
A no-swimming sign at the Rakaia River mouth south hut settlement is larger and more obvious.
District council chief executive Hamish Riach said after the Rakaia River mouth tragedy the district council was looking at how to make people aware of the risks along the coast, and this included signage.
‘‘We’re working with the Environment Canterbury Harbourmaster and looking at signage by other councils for guidance,” Riach said.
