Water Safety New Zealand have released figures finding 2011 saw a record high in the drowning toll in eight years.
123 people drowned, marking a 41 percent increase from the previous year and the worst annual toll since 2003.
WSNZ found men, at 80 percent made up the most of that number.
WSNZ chief executive Matt Claridge says to go from a record low in 2010 to an eight year high in 2011 is a tragedy, and education in water safety is needed to ensure 2012 is a better year.
He says it is hard to say why the 2011 figures are so bad but says it reflects an ongoing casual attitude to water safety and a lack of education for some people.
“Many of the drownings that occurred during recreational activities could have been prevented if people remembered the safety basics.
“Wear life jackets, check the weather forecast, stay within your limits, don’t swim alone and avoid alcohol. These and other simple precautions could save your life.”
Of the recreational drownings the largest number of deaths occurred while swimming, scuba diving and snorkelling and shore-based fishing and power boating.
Fourteen pre-schoolers drowned, being the highest number since 2002, highlighting the need to maintain constant supervision.
Foreigners featured in the statistics yet again, which is also put down to a lack of understanding New Zealand’s rough surf, rips and rivers.
“This is another priority area for WSNZ in 2012,” says Mr Claridge. “We’re in the final stages of developing an education campaign specifically targeting people of Asian origin.”
3 News