Award Winner Delivers Water Safety to Kids through Song

Award Winner Delivers Water Safety to Kids through Song

Entertainer and water safety evangelist Mark de Lacy, aka the Minstrel, has been named New Zealand’s supreme champion of water safety for his work delivering water safety messages – through his interactive show Hiwi the Kiwi Goes Fishing – to more than 250,000 Kiwi kids nationwide.

Mark de Lacy, who has visited around 840 schools since the joint initiative with the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council began in 2009, receives the outstanding contribution award at the 2014 Sealord New Zealand Water Safety Awards announced today.

Water Safety New Zealand CEO Matt Claridge says Mark is having a huge impact on water safety in this country.

“Mark is driving a cultural change by inspiring young New Zealanders to make water safety a priority - through song, humour and storytelling. Children that have participated in one of Mark’s sessions are sharing the messages with their friends and family and influencing others decisions when they’re out boating and fishing.”

The one hour 15 minute show, which focuses equally on messaging around water safety and fishing for the future, consists of songs written by Mark such as ‘Kai Moana’, stories, dance, humour and tools such as flares, lifejackets and other safety equipment.

Ed Beetham, of the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council, says Mark’s ability to connect with children has seen the initiative grow from strength to strength.

“Mark’s commitment to this education programme is truly outstanding. Schools are clamoring to book andre-book his Hiwi the Kiwi show and he is already fully booked for the first term of next year with another 30 schools booked so far for terms two, three andfour.”

Of the other awards announced, this year’s award for awareness went to another initiative targeting children, Coastguard Boating Education’s Safe Boating initiative teaching children about skipper responsibility, what safety equipment they would expect to see on a boat and survival skills in case they end up in the water.

More than 25,000 primary and intermediate aged children have so far completed the programme delivered through schools, aquatic centres and outdoor adventure companies.

Waikato Regional Council was awarded the prevention category winner for its bar crossing education films. Produced collaboratively with partners including Coastguard, NIWA, Maritime New Zealand, expert boaties and others, the five films aim to reduce the high number of incidents that occur amongst even experienced boaties during risky bar crossings. The films, which include a national and regional versions guiding boaties through some of New Zealand’s most dangerous bars, have attracted more than 12,000 views on youtube afterjust two months, are also being shown at all day skipper and boat master courses. Visit www.youtube.com/boatsafetyinnz to take a look.

The education award was received by the John Walker ‘Find Your Field Of Dreams Foundation’ in partnership with Auckland Council for their Community Swim initiative providing free swim lessons to South Auckland children. In its sixth year, the initiative has provided lessons to over 60,000 students to date.

Matt Claridge says the winners and their initiatives are examples of the excellent work being nationwide to educate New Zealanders on water safety and reduce the drowning toll.

Sealord General Manager Stuart Yorston says Sealord’s ongoing involvement in the Awards is an important part of the company’s commitment to water safety in New Zealand.

“More than 250,000 kids are involved in the Sealord Swim for Life initiative nationwide, and it’s exciting to see many of this year’s award winners are also delivering exceptional water safety initiatives to children.”

ENDS

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