Nelson-Marlborough learn Water Skills for Life

A number of Nelson-Marlborough schools have recently received Water Skills for Life professional development and poolside support for their school aquatic programmes.

Swimming Zealand Education Advisor Sarah Gibbison spent time with teachers and students from Kiwi Swim Safe Schools Linkwater, Havelock and Rai Valley going through Water Safety New Zealand's new Water Skills for Life framework.

Students from all three schools spend lots of time in water environments other than school pools so the Water Skills for Life framework is relevant to all the places and ways they spend their time in and around the water.

Many of the children spend time out on boats, kayaks and jet skis and therefore have the opportunity to experience varying water depths, temperatures and water movements. Water Skills for Life encourages their teachers to consider how these environments are different and how their students’ actions need to change as a result of this and can therefore make safer decisions when in and on the water.

The students enjoyed learning about sculling and worked hard to move their hands in differing ways to change their direction whilst sculling on their backs. They found it challenging to move themselves in a feet first position but worked hard to get there in the end. They also enjoyed making whirlpools and feeling the currents they had created.

The teachers enjoyed seeing how each stoke fits together and through teaching the basics really well, it is much easier for the more difficult components to follow.

Well done to these schools for working hard to develop their students understanding of being safer in, on and around the water, Swimming New Zealand looks forward to continuing to work with you.

If you would like to know more about being a Kiwi Swim Safe School and the Water Skills for Life initiative click here.