‘A piece of us left with him’: A mother’s urgent plea to young people ahead of summer

Still reeling from her son’s death, a mother has warned young Victorians not to be fooled by picturesque beaches on social media ahead of summer.

Jona Kinivuwai, 20, was swept out to sea off of 16th beach in Rye on the Mornington Peninsula in early February. His body has not been recovered. Picture: Supplied.

The grieving mother of a man who drowned on the Mornington Peninsula after finding a photogenic beach on TikTok is warning young people not to be fooled by social media ahead of the holidays.

Before dusk on February 4 this year, Luse Kinivuwai’s son Jona, 20, was running in and out of the waves with his mates at Number 16 beach in Rye when he tripped and became trapped in the surf.

His friends survived, but Jona never made it back to shore.

Today, 10 months on from his disappearance, there is still no new signage warning swimmers of dangerous swells characteristic of the unpatrolled back beach.

Holding back tears, Ms Kinivuwai told the Herald Sun she travels an hour every weekend to the beach where her Jona was last seen.

“A piece of us left with him,” she said.

“I go to the beach and I sit there, sometimes people come with me but mostly I go by myself.

“I talk to him and I talk to God. I know he’s there with me.”

Ms Kinivuwai is warning young Victorians check conditions before heading to picturesque beaches seen on social media. Picture: supplied.

Jona and his friends had never been to Number 16 beach before but were encouraged by videos of the picturesque beach on TikTok – unaware of the dangers they would face that afternoon.

The heartbroken mother is now pleading with other young Victorians not to make the same mistake.

“As summer approaches I can’t stop feeling anxious – people are flocking to the beach,” she said.

“Social media tells one story, but it doesn’t explain everything.

“It only takes a few minutes to find more information about where you’re going.”

It comes as new statistics show last summer was the worst on record for drowning deaths in both the multicultural community and among young people aged 15 to 24.

Data from Life Saving Victoria (LSV) recorded 10 fatal drownings among young people over the summer period, double the 10-year average.

Kinivuwai family members at 16th beach in Rye where Jona was swept out to sea in February this year. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Victorians from multicultural communities continue to over-represent in drowning figures, with 21 fatalities recorded last summer, the highest number since records began.

LSV CEO Cath Greaves hoped the grim figures would act as a wake-up call for Victorians.

“Our community collectively shudders at this sharp increase in drowning deaths, particularly among teenagers and young adults,” Ms Greaves said.

Nepean Liberal MP Sam Groth, who has been working with LSV to reccomend locations for new signage, said there had been too many drownings on the Mornington Peninsula.

“Environment and Tourism Minister Steve Dimopoulos has options at his disposal to take decisive action immediately before a busy summer period,” he said.

“If the government doesn’t take action and there is another drowning, then it will be their responsibility.”

A Victorian government spokesperson said: “We’re working with local community in Rye on signage options that meet both community expectations and the Australian National Standards – once signs are agreed we will work with Parks Victoria to update signage at the beaches and look at other water safety options as a priority.”