NZRCA responds to police advice after Waiwhakaiho fatality

2004-02-03T21:07:03+13:00

A man drowned on Sunday 1 February while tubing on a high Waiwhakaiho River in Taranaki. A reported comment from a Police search advisor (temporary link) included a comment “If people are going to go they should wear lifejackets or tie the tube to themselves.” The NZRCA strongly rejects the advice (PDF, 196k) to tie a tube, boogie board or kayak to the paddler. This is wholly inappropriate on a river because the paddler can become entangled with an obstacle such as a tree and trap the person underwater. This has happened in the past with fatal results.

Safety