Tsunami alert: Why did so many people go to the beach?

By Caroline King and Jarrod Booker | 2nd October 2009

When a tsunami warning was issued on Wednesday there was going to be nothing surer – people would flock to New Brighton beach.

The wave was predicted to be only 1m, but in view of the tragedy unfolding in Samoa, there was reason to be cautious.

Dozens of people watched from their cars at the two car park ramps. Others stood on the pier, and surfers hoped for a cracker swell. Why?

Psychologist Neville Blampied says the simple reason why people are drawn to sensations like tsunamis is our innate sense of curiosity.

This is known as “sensation seeking” – new, novel and stimulating experiences, he said.

So The Star also threw caution to the wind and sent reporters and a photographer to find out why people go to the beach when a tsunami could be on its way.

They were told to drive west very quickly should a large wall of water appear on the horizon.

Surfer Simeon Beckett said he was too curious to potentially miss a dangerous tsunami.

“I was actually in the shower and my mum said, ‘Oh, there’s a tsunami on its way, and don’t go down to the beach.’”

He said to her: “Don’t tell me that, because now I’m going to go.”

He added: “It proves the old axiom we are the only species that runs towards danger. It’s great, isn’t it? Curiosity killed the cat, and the cats are all here.”

In the end he sat perched on a concrete wall at Brighton, feeling cheated by the lack of large waves.

Noel Phillips, who was surfing, was not aware of the tsunami warning.

He was “really disappointed” at the quality of the surf.

“It’s hardly worth going out,” he said.

When asked if he would like to go back out now that he knew about the tsunami he said “not for one wave, if it was a couple then maybe”.

Paula King, from Queenspark, was there with her husband David and children, Sam, 5, Rhianna, 10, Tom, 8 and James, 12.

“We heard it was supposed to be small and wouldn’t go anywhere near the beach so thought that it shouldn’t be to dangerous,” she said. “We might not even notice it – but I’m hoping we do. It’s exciting because it’s no danger to us. I wouldn’t have liked being in Samoa this morning,” she said.

“Having said that I wouldn’t want to be in the water (here) right now.”

Originally from England, the prospect of a tsunami was a new experience.

“We’re trying to experience the whole kiwi life, tsunamis and all,” she said.

After the threat of the tsunami came and went, Mrs King was a bit disappointed.

“I think we blinked and missed it”.

Joy Prebble from South Brighton, was walking her dog Hunter and friend’s dog Oscar along the beach.

She said she had heard the warning but said she was not expecting too much.

“I did take the ‘high road’ along the sand dunes,” she said.

“I’ll just watch out, keep an eye on the sea.” She said if she did see anything coming “then I’ll move faster”.

Shayne Baxter took to the water as the tsunami was due to arrive. He had heard nothing about it until The Star raised it with him as he kitted himself up.

“A metre? Aw, a metre’s not too big,” said Mr Baxter, who has just finished a stint surfing big waves in Fiordland for a documentary on the Discovery Channel.“I might even be able to catch it. If it does come through, probably the safest place is in the water.”