The suggestion that the kayakers who went out in Wellington’s rough weather this morning should pay for their rescue is ridiculous.

The guys were not rescued - so there’s no rescue to pay for. 

By the time everyone caught up with them, they were safe and sound on dry land at Petone. 

I don’t blame the people who called emergency services when they saw the lads in the water. These guys had set out from Seatoun and headed to Petone, in what are apparently enormous waves, with swells of up to six metres forecast for this evening.

But one person’s danger is another’s adventure, especially if they are experienced in this stuff. And according to one of the kayakers – Eric, who spoke to TVNZ once they caught up with him - they are experienced.

These guys didn’t call for help, they weren’t the ones who made the decision to dispatch air and sea rescue services - they were just out having fun before going to work.

The only possible criticism you could have of these two is that they should’ve given the coastguard a heads up that they were heading out.

But in order to do that, they had to have foreseen that there would be concern for them.

If this is their normal, they might not realise it would appear so alarming to others, that it could prompt 111 calls.

You can't accuse them of being cavalier with their safety, given they both had lifejackets on.

It is unavoidable that from time to time, there will be cases where rescue services are called when people are absolutely fine and don’t need help - just given the sheer number of rescues that happen in this country, statistically that has got to happen from time to time.

But, when it does happen, you chalk up to a misjudgement on everyone else’s part, not on the part of people like the kayakers.

You can’t make these boys pay for assistance they didn’t ask for, or need.