Survival Skills for School Children
Swim For Life Media Release
Photo
Opportunity!
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 local schools embarking on a Swim For Life
event at H2O Xtream – Cnr Brown & Blenheim Streets, Upper
Hutt on 28 May 2008.
Last year 110 people drowned in New
Zealand, but many of them wouldn’t have if they knew how
to swim says Brendon Ward, Chief Executive of the New
Zealand Recreation Association.
“For too long, too many New Zealand children haven’t had the opportunity or motivation to learn swimming and other necessary water safety skills. Swim For Life is attempting to reverse this situation for the sake of future generations”.
During
June, 10 Swim For Life events are being held throughout New
Zealand. The event series aims to provide a free and fun
introductory session for children, said Matt Claridge,
General Manager of Water Safety New Zealand.
“The
events 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”.
An important
part of the Swim For Life event series is to provide an
opportunity for schools to develop or enhance their
relationship with their local pool. Teachers will attend a
briefing session and are also encouraged to develop their
own learn to swim knowledge and skills.
After this event,
the school children who participate will be able to swim
better and will have a greater chance of survival.
Ends