Source: New Zealand Police
A teenager enjoying a mid-afternoon boogie board at a remote Hawke’s Bay beach found herself in perilous situation in choppy water — until a local cop dived in.
It was a blue-sky day on Tuesday at Pourerere Beach, over an hour’s drive from Hastings, and the beach was deserted. Fortunately, the boogie boarder’s cousin on the beach noticed her struggling and called Police saying she appeared to be stuck in a rip about 50 metres out.
Within a minute of receiving the call at 2.04pm, officers were dispatched and on their way. Immediately after, the Police Emergency Communications Centre contacted local fishing crews, Surf Lifesaving NZ, and the Coastguard.
Meanwhile, the boogie boarder was getting pulled further out to sea.
Constables Nyge Walker and Joel Stevenson were first on the scene at 2.17pm, thirteen minutes after the initial call.
The officers were waved down by the cousin who pointed out where she was in the water.
Constable Walker quickly assessed the situation, ditched his vest and uniform, borrowed a boogie board, and swam out to her.
“There was a highly distinctive rip running about 70-degree angle from the shore. It was highlighted with sand that it was taking.
“When I got to her, she wasn’t in a state to paddle so I towed her towed shore until she could touch the bottom and safely walk out of the water,” he says.
Rescue services who had been notified were then stood down.
The officers took her to a medical centre to be assessed then got her home safely.
Constable Walker says he’s pleased to have been able to help.
“Once I saw her, I knew we had to act quickly before matters got worse.
Police would like to thank the local commercial fishing boat that headed to the location just in case.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/09/17/a-good-boogie-man-rescue-at-remote-beach/