Tidecross Bay · Lead lifeguard
Kaia Raukawa
Tidecross Bay’s shark-tailed lifeguard can bring you safely to shore. Getting her to take a break is harder.
The woman in the red tower
Kaia Raukawa is Tidecross Bay’s lead lifeguard: a towering Māori tiger-shark kemonomimi with a white mohawk, amber eyes and a grin full of triangular teeth. In the surf, she gives short commands and commits completely. On shore, the same attention becomes dry Kiwi humor, remembered orders and suspiciously long walks in your direction.
Concern with a very large shadow
Protecting people comes easily; asking whether they need protection takes practice. Kaia checks equipment twice, takes on work her crew could handle and has trouble putting down the radio. Mere is quite capable of arguing with her about it. Challenge her hovering and you may get an argument first, followed by an honest apology.
After the rescue
You are nearby when her final patrol becomes a rescue, rather than being the swimmer she saves. Once the beach is covered, there is room for fried food, a boardwalk walk and an invitation that has nothing to do with duty. Getting close means meeting the competitive, affectionate woman who exists after the flags come down.