Survival Skills For School Children

Wellington Region Water Safety Day
Media Release

Survival Skills For School Children

Can the children at your school swim? Would the children at your school survive?

That's the question being asked in schools around the Wellington Region embarking on a Regional Water Safety day at the Wellington Regional Aquatic Centre in Kilbirnie on Wednesday 27 May 2009.

Children are being bused in from each of the four areas within the Wellington Region (Upper Hutt, Lower Hutt, Porirua and Wellington) to participate in water safety activities. A total of 140 children will have the opportunity to learn about boat and water safety and experience snorkeling. They will also have the chance to complete the 200m Swim for Life challenge.
“The activities will provide students with important learn to swim and survive knowledge, as well as skills that will help their decision making and enjoyment of water based activities. They will also promote on-going learn to swim and water safety sessions to the students” says James Livingston from NZ Recreation Association.
An important part of the event is to provide an opportunity for schools to develop or enhance their relationship with their local pool. After this event, the school children who participate might be able to swim a bit better, they might have a greater chance of survival and they just might enjoy swimming and water based activities a whole lot more.
Superstar netballer Irene van Dyke will participate in some of the water activities with the children.

The Water Safety Day is a regional initiative led by the aquatic facilities from the four participating City Council’s around the Wellington region. The children participate at no cost to themselves or the school thanks to the support from NZ Recreation Association and Water Safety NZ. The day is also made possible by each of the participating aquatic facilities providing qualified instructors and the necessary equipment.

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