More school children will be able to participate in a Swim to Survive initiative thanks to a $17,000 grant from the Rotorua Trust.
The grant is being made to assist the delivery of the Sealord Swim for Life initiative to reach schools which have not been able to participate previously.
A minimal user fee is involved for schools to participate in the initiative and the grant will help reduce this by contributing towards transportation costs.
Paired with other funding, the Trust grant will mean the initiative can be extended to schools not participating currently, but which may be more at risk based on their swim ability, says Cory Sweeney, the Central North Island area manager for Water Safety NZ.
The $17,000 from the Trust, combined with other funding source, will service the water safety needs of 1,000 additional children from 10 primary schools in the Rotorua district.
The initiative concentrates on increasing children’s ability to swim over a series of 10 lessons focusing on “swim to survive” to help them enjoy the water while keeping safe. Although the children are primary school aged, it is hoped the lessons they learn now will help keep them happy and safe in the water into the future.
The 10 lessons are held at the Rotorua Aquatic Centre by staff using the Sealord Swim for Life framework. Students are measured on swimming ability throughout and fully assessed at the end, so achievement in the water can be measured.
Maori are over-represented in drowning statistics, says Cory, being on average about 25 per cent of the total drowning toll, but 17 per cent of the total population. However, Maori actually use the water more than other ethnic groups, and are relatively more at risk due to the types of activities they participate in and amount of times they participate.
“Given that Maori are more at risk, there is a need for additional education and skill development.” So working through the schools, the agency is also better able to provide water safety education for Maori now and into the future.
CONTACT:
Cory Sweeney
Central North Island Area
Manager, Water Safety
New Zealand
029 770 5253
cory@watersafety.org.nz