Aquatics Case Study
Four Capitals
The Four Capitals form the Living Standards Framework, which is how the government is now measuring success. Look out for the icons throughout this case study to see how our work aligns to these capitals. Productivity is the key to improving economic growth outcomes. This might include stronger international connections, improved investment and innovation, greater competitive intensity, and more diverse, high value exports. To enhance human capital, individuals need the knowledge and skills to enable them to participate in society and the economy. Education is key. Social capital is about having a fair and inclusive society and economy. This is about better health, education and employment for the most disadvantaged, and better use of social spending. Natural capital is about using natural resources sustainably for long-term living standards.
OUR IMPACT ON Aquatics in NZ 147 Poolsafe aquatic facilities out of 222 aquatic facilities in New Zealand 30 of these facilities are based in Auckland 21,618,601 visits by the general public to Poolsafe facilities 5,627,849 of these visits were to Poolsafe facilities in Auckland 195 lifeguards trained by Gary Johnson in New Zealand 180 delegates attended aquatics conferences in 2017 1,822 lifeguards trained by Skills Active 20 lifeguards competed in the 2017 NZ National Lifeguard Championships
Just over fifteen years ago a tragic incident occurred in a spa pool in the Wellington Region, that resulted in a young boy losing his life.
WorkSafe recognises PoolSafe as the default minimum standard for all pool operations in the event of an incident investigation.
This needless tragedy could have been prevented if the correct safety procedures had been in place and that led the New Zealand Recreation Association (NZRA) and Water Safety NZ to instigate the Poolsafe® Quality Management Scheme (Poolsafe), enabling an independent assessment of public pools to ensure that their operations and facilities are safe.
The core minimum standards a swimming pool will be assessed for meeting are: swimming pool supervision standards, lifeguard qualification and training, water quality and health and safety.
PoolSafe is an industry led, voluntary management system designed by industry for industry to peer assess and moderate their delivery of public aquatic facilities services, with the direct intent to limit serious harm to their communities. Education is key and Poolsafe is ensuring that the industry and the public have the knowledge and skills to enable them to participate safely. Currently there are 147 PoolSafe accredited pools, or working towards accreditation, nationwide and over 90% of the largest aquatic facilities in NZ are represented as members in this scheme. Due to the changes in the Health & Safety at Work Act 2015 an increased number of smaller facilities including school pools and thermal pools are enquiring about PoolSafe.
The PoolSafe® Quality Management Scheme is beneficial to the aquatic industry in many ways: • Proactive identification of standards that require attention through training or industry assistance. • An ability to ensure that a transfer of learning takes place followed by implementation of processes/procedures to meet the minimum standards following seminars and training courses. • A way to facilitate ongoing compliance with minimum standards through the self-assessment checklist. • An ability for the PoolSafe® Quality Management Scheme to lead to a national benchmarking exercise which could be part of a ‘competitive advantage process’ (Local Authorities are currently looking for examples of best practice). • Consistent with the aquatics industry history of mentoring others in the industry. Helping new/under-resourced facilities to achieve to a higher standard.
Aquatic Innovation
The annual Aquatics Industry Awards are organised by the New Zealand Recreation Association (NZRA) to encourage development and recognition within the industry. Each year we pick winners that demonstrate the best of what New Zealand had to offer in terms of community and team spirit, as well as innovation. The 2017 Aquatic Innovation Award went to Belgravia Leisure for their Aqua Artist Chinese Swimming Lessons programme. The program has gone well beyond expectations with upwards of 230 students per week making it just under 20% of their total Learn to Swim program. It has opened up swimming as a great activity to a whole culture and group of people who normally would not have participated in swimming. This is particularly true for the fifteen adults enrolled. With their partners Aqua Artist Chinese Swim School, they have learned how to tailor the lessons to suit the different expectations of the culture and to attract larger numbers.
“My son was scared to put his hand in the water – now he can do the butterfly stroke!�
This innovative program means that literally hundreds of people every year are now learning to swim who would not have otherwise. While it singles out one culture, it has in fact bought many people in the Chinese culture closer to the Kiwi lifestyle, in that swimming and aquatics has become part of their lifestyle. The program promotes a fair and inclusive society, offering a recreation opportunity that leads to better health and participation in the local community. A significant number of children in these programs have moved into Mount Albert swimming squads and once their confidence is up they have been more than happy to utilise the standard programs and facilities. An overwhelming success that has literally changed lives and potentially reduced the number of drownings.
Red Zone Training
Red Zone Training: This training lets lifeguards come off the brake pedal and onto the accelerator. It lets them launch into the emergency action plan in a fast and furious way. It is very site specific, very real and while lifeguards usually start out very apprehensive, they leave confident. The whole group will receive the session but usually only 8 get to take part in the 2 scenarios at the end. Taught by Gary Johnson of See Clearly Now in Australia, this course has been incredibly popular in New Zealand, strengthening our international connections and improving innovation at aquatic facilities. 195 lifeguards in NZ have been trained by Gary and the feedback has been very positive, with candidates saying the training has changed the way they look at the pool. Take a look at the film above to learn more and see Gary in action.
Parental Supervision In 2018, the NZ Recreation Association have focused on the issue of parental supervision by delivering a campaign designed to educate parents and caregivers at the pool. The poster campaign is based on the phrase "Watch Me", and highlights the distraction from parents' mobile phones. Tracey Prince, Aquatics Programme Manager at NZ Recreation Association said “The posters are designed to remind parents and guardians that accidents can happen in seconds. Even if there are plenty of lifeguards at a pool, putting down your cellphone and making sure there are no distractions can mean the difference between life and death. As a caregiver you should support the lifeguard by giving the kids your full attention.” NZRA and Water Safety New Zealand produce signage for Poolsafe pools on request. These signs reinforce rules for supervision and responsible behaviour at aquatic facilities. By educating members of the public, we are enabling them to participate safely and enhancing human capital.
“We think this is a great campaign that delivers a really important message in a really effective way” says Jonty Mills, CEO Water Safety NZ. “It’s timely because last year there were seven under-5 preventable fatalities – there really is no other answer than constant active adult supervision.” The project was created by Massey University design graduate, Gretchen McAleer, who was inspired by her work as a lifeguard. "It's never too early to start that early education with your kids. It's about getting confident in water and the earlier they start that the better. I was a lifeguard for 6 years and the accidents and near misses that I witnessed in that time prompted me to do something about supervision awareness. Accidents can happen so quickly – I really hope that these Poolsafe posters make a difference.” The new posters and signage have been incredibly popular at pools across New Zealand and lifeguards have seen a change in behavior since putting up the posters.
Meet Gretchen, the designer of the campaign graphics Take a look at some of the press coverage
The annual Aquatics Industry Awards are organised by NZRA to encourage development and recognition within the industry and the Lifeguard of the Year award is given to the lifeguard who has made the most significant contribution to their facility and to the aquatics industry.
Our Local Hero
Last year’s award went to Samuel Kau from Auckland’s Otara Pool and Leisure Centre, who is described by his co-workers as a poster boy for the community. “Sam goes the extra mile for his community. He is proactive in implementing fitness programmes at the centre where he works and in the wider Otara community, to encourage people to be more active,” said NZRA Aquatics Project Manager, Tracey Prince. “We were so impressed with his nomination last year that as well as choosing him as the winner of Lifeguard of the Year, we also nominated him for New Zealander of the Year. It was an honour to watch him presented with a Local Hero Medal at the ceremony in Auckland.” Sam is an inspiration to the young people in his local community. He motivates them to grasp opportunities to educate themselves, enabling them to better participate in society.
Take a look at Sam collecting his award!