Playing it safe around water

By Michaela Pointon

In our stunning backyard of Aotearoa, we are surrounded by the clearest and most breathtaking scenes of water.

Beaches are typically only a short 30-minute drive or closer from major cities, so learning to swim is vital. Starting swimming lessons from a young age saves lives.

Water Safety New Zealand says, “As an island nation in the south pacific, enjoying the water is deeply engrained in our DNA.

“Our ocean, coasts, beaches, lakes and rivers define us and reflect the people we have become. Water is life and in New Zealand, it’s our way of life.”

Through leadership, advocacy and education, Water Safety New Zealand works hard with individuals and the public to reduce drowning and water injury accidents in Aotearoa.

“Experiences in, or around the water are part of what we do and what makes us Kiwi. But sadly, drownings and non-fatal drowning accidents are all too common.”

Swimming instructor, Ester Hone-Moore, has more than 25 years of experience teaching swimming lessons and water safety to teachers.

“As a sector, we know we must learn how to float, and then work towards swimming distance. Water safety is more than just swimming strokes, it’s about learning how to recognise the dangers and gaining the skills to survive,” she says.

She suggests for teachers one of the main aspects to teaching water safety is having a layered voice approach with classroom lessons about the importance of staying safe in the water.

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Water Safety New Zealand has a mission that by 2025 more people in New Zealand will have a better understanding on the importance of respecting water. This goal also includes having the skills, knowledge and awareness to enjoy our water spaces safely.

Introducing children to water environments from when they are babies is important.

Water Safety New Zealand says that it’s exceptionally important for babies, infants and children to be nurtured around water by the people they trust.

The Ministry of Education (MOE) states that learning to swim is part of The New Zealand Curriculum.

“All children will have had opportunities to learn basic aquatic skills by the end of Year 6’. Students will have access to learning about water safety and developing aquatic skills.”

All schools and kura receive Ministry of Education funding to run their school and deliver the curriculum. The MOE says the funding can be used to manage a school swimming pool or instead support ākonga with access to lessons at a nearby third-party facility.

She says this can help students retain the information, as well as also covering the water safety code in depth. “Emphasis should be placed on really learning the water safety code about being prepared, watching out for yourself and others, being aware of the dangers and knowing your limits.”

There are many ways to create cross-curricular opportunities to incorporate water safety in the classroom. For example, discussing the ecology of a river, how riptides naturally occur or current event impacts on the environment such as climate change, can help students understand the bigger picture of water safety. The New Zealand curriculum notes that parents and whānau also play an important role in keeping children and young people safe beyond school.

Despite there being a good effort from MOE and Water Safety New Zealand about implying safe and correct water practices, families also need to contribute to their child/s education surrounding water environments.

Water safety skills are invaluable and will support children for the rest of their lives.

To find out more about the importance of water safety in schools, as well as resources and further support, visit: education.govt.nz.