As summer looms closer, authorities are urging people to ensure they are adequately equipped when heading out on the region's lakes and rivers.

Central Otago police are warning people of the dangers of using inflatable boats without being adequately equipped, following an incident on Lake Wakatipu last week.

Alexandra Police Senior Constable Graham Perkins said two 18-year-old females were found cold and wet near Glenorchy last weekend, after their blow up raft deflated.

The girls planned to paddle two nautical miles from Geordie’s Creek to Twenty Five Mile Creek with only one life jacket between them and no food or water.

Starting their lake journey at 5:45pm, they failed to show up by 11:30pm, so their parents called police.

Land Search and Rescue, Coastguard Queenstown and two Otago Rescue Helicopters were all deployed to look for them, and they were located washed up amongst bushes 2km north in the early hours of the morning.

“People need to be aware that their stupidity and inexperience is putting emergency services under pressure and themselves at risk,” Snr Const Perkins said.

Police said it was important that people took some form of waterproof communication or a bag to put phones inside, and registered personal locator beacons were an even better option.

Snr Const Perkins said the females had purchased their blowup raft from K-Mart.

Many teenagers were oblivious to the dangers of using inflatable lilos and dinghies on Southern Lakes and rivers over summer, without wearing the appropriate clothing and life jackets in particular, he said.

Changing weather conditions also made the inflatable toys dangerous - particularly in high winds, when they can be swept away very quickly.

The Harbourmaster team will be patrolling Lake Dunstan as well as other Central Otago lakes and rivers over summer on the vessel Kaitiaki. PHOTO: Supplied

Otago Regional Council (ORC) harbourmaster Steve Rushbrook urged water users - whether a boatie planning to cross a bar, a keen paddle boarder or kayaker heading out on an Otago lake or river- to take the time to do a thorough check of their vessel and gear before heading off.

“Before going out, prep your boat, safety and communication equipment, check the weather conditions and know the rules,” he said.

“For those new to boating, please stop, think, and find out about basic boating safety rules to protect you and your loved ones. Be safe, it’s about enjoying our amazing environment and coming home safe at the end of the day. If in doubt, don’t go out”.

“No matter if you’re on a power boat, jet ski or kayak, remembering the boating safety code is integral.”

The Boating Safety Code reinforces five key messages:

• Wear your lifejacket
• Take two waterproof ways to call for help
• Check the marine weather forecast
• Avoid alcohol – booze and boats don’t mix
• Be a responsible skipper