Police are concerned the message about the need for lifejackets is not getting through, after a kayaker struck difficulties on Lake Wakatipu on Saturday.
Acting Sergeant Blair Duffy said the 22 year-old Queenstown man was kayaking with a friend and another associate was on the shore, off Kelvin Heights Peninsula.
Sgt Duffy said the man got into trouble in high winds and choppy conditions.
"He was paddling without a spray skirt or life jacket and was rescued by a member of his party, just prior to Kawarau Jet and Queenstown Paraflights [arriving], who escorted the man to the beach."
Sgt Duffy said the kayaker was spotted in difficulties by a member of the public who called the police.
The police alerted the commercial operators because the coastguard boat was out of action for the weekend.
Details of the incident would be forwarded to harbourmaster Marty Black and any action would be left in his hands, Sgt Duffy said.
"Of concern is, despite the media coverage, we still have people who go out on the water ignoring the basics."
