Search for NZ’s Water Safety Champions Underway

SEARCH FOR NZ’S WATER SAFETY CHAMPIONS UNDERWAY

The hunt for New Zealand’s biggest champions of water safety begins today as nominations for the 2014 Sealord New Zealand Water Safety Awards open.

The awards – in its sixth year – recognise the country’s best water safety programmes, initiatives, campaigns and individuals across four categories:

Education– a programme, initiative or campaign where individuals or groups develop water safety knowledge, skills and attitudes.

Awareness – a programme, initiative or campaign where the general public, a targeted group or community is provided with information relating to water safety.

Prevention – a programme, initiative or campaign (including an event, activity or experience) leading to the prevention of injury and/or drowning.

Outstanding contribution to water safety – an individual who has had a significant positive impact on water safety through service, leadership, achievement, and/or involvement.

Water Safety New Zealand (WSNZ) CEO Matt Claridge says the awards acknowledge the very best in work being done to address the ongoing issue of water safety in this country.

“There are many incredible water safety initiatives happening around the country that are making a real difference to our national drowning toll. This is an opportunity to celebrate these successes, while also raising awareness of the importance of water safety more generally.”

Sealord spokesperson Stuart Yorston says Sealord’s involvement in the Awards is an extension of its Sealord Swim for Life initiative, which has so far helped more than 250,000 children learn to swim.

“We’re committed to working with Water Safety New Zealand and the wider sector to make water safety a priority for all New Zealanders; and celebrating the work that’s being done around the country is an important part of that,” he says.

Nominations close on Monday 29 September 2014 with forms available online at www.watersafety.org.nz.

The judging panel will be made up of Coastguard Boating Education’s Neil Murray, Paul Dalton CEO of Surf Lifesaving New Zealand and WSNZ CEO Matt Claridge.

Winners will be announced in October.

ENDS

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