15 December 2006

Free Whanau Nui / Family Swim Lessons This Summer

With drowning the third highest cause of accidental death in New Zealand, and summer on the way, Manukau families are being urged to take advantage of the free ‘Whanau Nui / Family Swim Lessons’ programme, which returns to the city in January.

Through a simple, positive, fun approach to learning, families will be taught vital survival and swimming skills, with a focus on the importance of supervision that will aid their enjoyment and safety in the water over the summer period.

Injury Free Counties Manukau in partnership with Manukau City Council Leisure Services, WaterSafe Auckland will run the free lessons, which are delivered by Swimsation and Swim Gym. The programme will run from 22 to 26 January.

Injury Prevention Coordinator Lauren van Coller says, Injury Free Counties Manukau aims to reduce the number of non-intentional injuries in the Counties Manukau area, with a specific focus on high risk groups such as Maori, Pacific Island and Migrant/New settler communities.

More than 200 children and their caregivers throughout Manukau City, Papakura and Franklin participated in last year’s programme. Positive feedback from those who took part reinforced the need for the ‘Whanau Nui / Family Swim Lessons’ programme. One Pukekohe mother was “amazed at the achievement of her sons in just two lessons” and was very impressed with the skills being taught, and the way the swim co-ordinators encouraged the children to participate. She has since enrolled her sons in paid swimming lessons.

To register, contact one of the following centres:
Manurewa Aquatic Centre – Ngaa Mahia a Rehia 09 269 0930
Moana Nui a Kiwa – Mangere 09 275 8979
Norman Kirk Memorial Pools – Otara 09 274 6917
Papatoetoe Centennial Pool – Papatoetoe 09 278 4167
Lloyd Elsmore Park Leisure Centre – Pakuranga 09 535 5502
Massey Park Aquatics – Papakura 09 298 8526
Franklin Sport, Swim & Fitness – Pukekohe 09 238 5240

ENDS

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