Learn to Swim and Survive in New Zealand

New Zealand’s waterways are some of the most picturesque and actively utilised in the world. Boating, fishing, swimming, kayaking and many other forms of aquatic based recreation are favourite Kiwi pastimes. Yet this access and enjoyment of our aquatic wonderland is not without danger as;

120 people are drowned in New Zealand every year

Both, international and local experience tells us that the underlying basis and ability to enjoy aquatic environments and recreation is the ability to swim and survive and that as New Zealanders it should be a priority to ensure our people experience learning to swim as a normal course of growing up.

Research undertaken by WSNZ shows there is a major misconception in our communities about the level of swimming ability and the opportunities provided for learning to swim.

Today less than 25% of our 12 year olds are able to swim 200m

Many barriers to having a swim safe nation have become apparent over a relatively short space of time. These barriers include factors such as many primary schools no longer having a swimming pools, families being unable to afford to send their children to swimming lessons and the changing cultural composition of New Zealand communities. These and a host of other issues have all contributed to learning to swim and water safety slipping off the priority radar.

Water Safety New Zealand (WSNZ) announced today that in excess of 25,000 Year 5 – Year 10 students are currently participating in the Swim For Life Schools Challenge.

Swim For Life is a marketing campaign which seeks to promote action across all New Zealand communities through increasing awareness of the importance of being able to swim and survive.

Read Media Release >> (19K)

 

 

 

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