As the clocks spring forward for Daylight Saving, it marks the start of the summer boating season. Harbourmaster Chris Bredenbeck, who’s in charge of safety on the water in the Waikato region, and local surfing legend Daniel Kereopa, joined Aaron in studio to share some important safety tips as the boating season kicks off.
Life Jackets Both Chris and Daniel want to remind everyone that staying safe on the water should be your top priority as the season begins. Chris mentions that one of the biggest problems they see is people not wearing life jackets when they’re out on a boat. Life jackets can save lives if something unexpected happens, so it’s crucial everyone on your boat has the right kind of life jacket.
(Listen to the full interview below:) Decision Making Chris says it’s important to know what you’re doing, especially if you’re going to places like West Coast beaches with tricky bar crossings. Understanding the changing weather and sea conditions is crucial before deciding to take your boat out. What you physically see when you launch your boat might not be what you experience throughout the day.
Daniel has seen his fair share of accidents with boaties making bad decisions at places like Manu Bay and the bar. He stresses that it’s essential to be patient and to pay attention. He advises taking your time and really thinking about what you’re doing. Even if you have experience, it’s vital to assess the situation carefully.
Recalling recent accidents, like a boat going vertical at Manu Bay a few months ago, the person driving the boat was experienced, but they made bad decisions that day. The pair say that incidents like these are a reminder that no matter how much experience you have, it’s crucial to stop and think before acting.
“When the tide comes in, it actually gets easier to leave the boat ramp. But if the tide is going out the waves will come more frequently. But you only notice this stuff if you’re just a little bit more patient with the water. If you’ve got friends and family on board that you actually love, a little bit of patience is really important to make good decisions,” says Daniel.
Risk Perception Chris understands that it’s tough to cancel your plans for a day of boating, but he wants to emphasise that taking unnecessary risks isn’t worth it. If you roll up to the car park and there are no boats for example, that could be a sign in itself that it’s not a safe day to go out on the water.
Experience and risk perception play a pivotal role in decision-making, particularly in boating and surfing. The pair mention that sometimes you can be lulled into a sense of security if you have never experienced a dangerous situation. Launching a boat on the West Coast presents unique challenges with tides and weather forecasts being critical factors to consider and there is always potential for things to go wrong. Chris also mentions that there’s no such thing as a low-risk bar crossing when it comes to boating.
Currently there are no formal knowledge requirements for boat operators before they can hit the water and this lack of regulation presents safety challenges. Chris uses the example of jet skis, explaining that; 50% of jet ski operators lack experience and proper knowledge which raises significant safety concerns around speeding and dangerous activities.
As a final thought, Daniel mentions that when accidents happen, it puts a lot of strain on the community and the resources that are used to rescue people, like the coastguard and search and rescue teams. You might not expect to find yourself in a hairy situation but when you do, emergency services will put their lives at risk to save you so take a moment to consider the risks and make good decisions this summer. https://raglanradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/daniel.jpg