Kids & Family
The fun police have put a stop to what generations of Bluffy’s have done as kids, jumping off the wharf near the boat ramp.
On a private local Bluff group over 200 Facebook comment in less than 24 hours after a Stuff article complaining about Bluff kids being in the way of boaties using the boat ramp in Bluff.
Local Bluff parents and families aren’t happy and point out:
- Many childhood memories
- Lot of parents commenting about how good the kids are with the boaties, if the kids are told to move they are respectful and do move
- Non locals not understanding the traditions
- Tradition, generational
- Lots of learning
Check out some of the comments below.
“The other day my daughter Kaiah (aged 10) while in the water was helping a boatie with some rope shifting it from one part of the jetty to the opposite side, the boatie really appreciated the help. If these out of town boaties would like to donate funds towards building a purpose built jetty or fun park to help us all share this space I’m sure Bluff parents would be happy to take donations, otherwise I suggest the less competent boaties go to Riverton, I don’t think your contribution to our community will not be missed “taking our fish and kicking our kids of our wharf”. When I was younger we had free range of most wharfs to swim from, but unfortunately the Jetty is the last space left for our kids and if this is taken away we run the risk of this generation’s water safety learning being reduced, this is what our kids look forward to everyday in the summer holidays going to the Jetty, it’s not just kids many adults and grandparents swim there and have for generations.” – Sumaria Beaton (concerned parent)
“Im abit confused the locals have been swimming here for years and years, where do you expect them to swim? At the beach in front of Rowing Club that has glass seething out of the embankment due to an old landfill? Whos going to be responsible for kids cutting their feet? It happens ive witnessed it and you cant blame the Rowing Club for those beach conditions they have tried to rectify the problem but nobody wants to help or fix it. Or maybe we could send them all to Morrisons or Argyle Beach where its too tidal at times to swim and have kids all over the main road. There are more kids than boaties at that jetty. There needs to be an area for both parties, boaties and children/adults to swim. If not maybe the boaties could utilise the available ramp across the road from Ngai Tahu Fisheries, theres no kids swimming there and plenty of parking. A pretty good deal considering they dont pay to use any ramp in Bluff. Amy Strongman Bluff parent.” – Parent Comment
