Popular Auckland swimming spot Hunua Falls has been hit with a "swimming not advised" warning by Safeswim.
The organisation put out the warning via its website, listing a number of hazards swimmers may face if they decide to take a dip at the well-known south Auckland waterfall.
Hazards listed by Swimsafe at Hunua Falls include:
- Turbulent water
- Reduced buoyancy
- Coldwater
- Slippery rocks
- Strong rips and currents
- Deepwater
- Sudden drop in water
The waterfall at Hunua Falls is about 30 metres high and has seen several accidents occur at the site over the years. Safeswim says the pool at the bottom of the falls drops suddenly and at its deepest point is approximately 17m deep with steep drop-off points also located at all main water entrances.
The water itself is relatively murky making it difficult for divers to spot dangers such as submerged rocks. Jumping into the water could result in hitting these submerged dangers, resulting in abrasions, bruising, head and spinal injuries - or even "death may result".
The water temperature is also an issue with temperatures below 15C able to cause a cold-shock response in the body. Water temperatures at Hunua Falls have been seen to drop to an alarming 7C.
Cold-shock is often a causal factor in drownings and leads to rapid skin cooling, triggering a gasping response in the body which can be fatal if one is underwater.
Another factor making it harder to stay above water at the falls is highly aerated water.
Water at the base of the falls is less dense due to the constant agitation caused by the fast-falling water, making it much easier to sink.
Strong currents and increased water velocity also occur during high levels of rainfall.
"During river flooding events, individuals who enter the water are at elevated risk of being swept away, being injured, or drowning," Swimsafe says.
The water level may rise sharply and catch unaware swimmers at any time.
In 2016, two teenagers died in two separate drowning incidents at the falls, as well as a 20-year-old man in 2019, prompting calls for Auckland Council to stop people swimming there.
Safeswim also warned visitors against climbing rocks at the falls as they are "extremely slippery" and likely to result in a fall.
