
Issue 1.3	July 2006


	Never Swim Alone

Hamilton City Council Endorsement

Recently the Hamilton City Council became the third Territorial Authority to register its support for Swim For Life.

Swim For Life promotes the message that every New Zealand child by the age of twelve should be able to swim 200 metres confidently and competently with associated survival skills and water safety knowledge.

Hamilton City Council operates two all year round aquatic facilities, Te Rapa Waterworld & Gallagher Aquatic Centre and during summer the months Waikato University Pool, Te Rapa Primary school pool and the Municipal Pools on Victoria Street.

The fact that a large number of schools in New Zealand do not have a Learn to Swim programme is disheartening. With learn to swim programmes specifically for schools based at Te Rapa Waterworld and the Gallagher Aquatic Centre you can see why Hamilton City Council has added its support and weight behind Swim For Life.

It’s paramount that parents should ensure their children are exposed to valuable swim and survive skills, whether it is through school or a swim school. Swim and Survive skills are the foundation for enjoying the water safely. The ability to make positive decisions around water is primarily drawn from the experience of learning to swim.

Elton Parata, Hamilton City Council’s Swimming Facilities Manager says "Hamilton City Council Swimming Facilities is committed to Water Safety and Education within the City and we are proud to be part of this initiative with WSNZ"

Thank you Hamilton City Council for supporting Swim For Life and giving Waikato’s schools and their pupils the opportunity to have a positive aquatic experience.

Contact Te Rapa Waterworld 07 958 5860 or Gallagher Aquatic Centre 07 843 9476 for info on swim and survive lessons. Check out their website www.hamiltonpools.co.nz

Swim For Life talks to new Zealand swim coaches and teachers

May was a significant month for Swim For Life®. The opportunity to present Swim For Life® to members of the New Zealand Swim Coaches and Teachers Association at their annual conference in Hamilton was not to be missed.

Swim For Life® over the last twelve months has evolved and gone from strength to strength. After a stringent review and analysis of Swim For Life® it was decided to cease the funding of professional development training and concentrate more on marketing learn to swim and survive to the community. The Swim For Life® brand has also grown along with a logo which shows meaning to all New Zealanders.

The chance for Swim Schools/Aquatic Facilities to utilise the brand has also been very successful with Swim Schools/Aquatic Facilities, Territorial Authorities and Schools now registered with Swim For Life®.

Key Points from the presentation were the intentions of Water Safety New Zealand, New Zealand Recreation Association and New Zealand Swim Coaches and Teachers to:
i. Recognise differences
ii. Use case studies as examples
iii. Provide marketing tools

WSNZ plan to continue building the value of this brand in conjunction with New Zealand Swim Coaches and Teachers Association and New Zealand Recreation Association.

To find out more information about the New Zealand Swim Coaches and Teachers Association phone 07 8533 633 or check out their website www.nzscat.org.nz

SWIM AND SURVIVE TIPS

Did you know - those with a large head in proportion to their body, will lose body temperature faster than those who are in proportion with their body size.

Did you know - swimming skills assist with the development of writing and mathematical skills. The left and right brain action is stimulated when arm and leg action are all moving in time. As swimming skills develop so do the fine motor skills, as required for writing and lateral thinking.

Did you know - left handed children usually have more difficulty learning breathing because of their dominant right brain function. We have tricks to make the process easier. If your child is left handed please advise the pool deck supervisor.

Did you know - Body position is the most important part of swimming, not what your arms and legs do.

Did you know - Swimming during the cooler months reduces the risk of asthmatic attacks for asthma sufferers. This is due to the lungs working in a low impact environment, allowing them to exercise in a warm environment.

Did you know - colds and flu are viruses and have nothing to do with going swimming. Those who learn to swim and survive all year round are less susceptible to colds and flu, as the regular exercise circulates the oxygen around the body maintaining a healthy immune system.

Case Study:

MASSEY PARK AQUATIC CENTRE

Massey Park Aquatic Centre offers your school a comprehensive, customized aquatic education, making it easier for you to provide a quality-swimming programme in your school.

This water safety initiative has provided for training throughout the Papakura / Manukau areas but has also attracted schools in the greater Auckland region.

We can supply you with information on the Massey Park Aquatic Education Programme, including achievement objectives covered in the Health and Physical Education curriculum. This information can help create a programme specifically designed for your individual class needs.

Massey Park Aquatic Centre has trained professional instructors working in a safe and unique environment. After all, how many schools get the opportunity to learn water safety in a Wave Pool that simulates the rough, turbulent waters that surrounds New Zealand’s shores?

Aquatic Sports training also provides a fun and new way to incorporate water sports in to your curriculum and this can also be included in the Massey Park Aquatic Programme. As advancement on the aquatic programme options, the following sports are offered:

1) Flippaball (Modified Water Polo)
2) Underwater Hockey
3) Swim Squad Training / Tri-Squads
4) Synchronized swimming

For any further information please see our website www.swimsation.com

Hey Teacher! Visit BOB:

the Water Safety New Zealand

online education portal.

Heaps of great learning resources available at the touch of a button.

Click the Big Orange Button

to go to the site!

PROVISIONAL DROWNING STATISTICS

(as at 30 June 2006)

Year to date: 43 Same time last year: 65