Southland swimming clubs prepare for busy summer season

Volunteer swim teachers from Waiau, Riverton, Oreti and Hokonui swimming clubs attended Swimming New Zealand's ASTA (Assistant Swim Teacher Award) course last weekend held at Splash Palace in Invercargill.

Some of the volunteers mentioned to tutor Tracey Hickman that they had been "roped" into swim teaching and were looking forward to the course.  The volunteers participated in a full day of learning the foundation skills of swim teaching - the importance of water safety, how children learn, class management, lesson planning, and health and safety.

The participants welcomed the pool session on the hot day - swimming against currents and choppy water, sculling feet first to simulate being in a river, attempting to spell their name out of their body positions while floating, breathing progressions, and many more ways to practice skills in a fun way.

At the end of the day all participants left feeling more confident, prepared, and ready for action!

Following the eight hour course the swim teachers will go on to complete 20 hours of practical teaching, complete 10 lesson plans with evaluations, and be assessed by a Swimming New Zealand evidence gatherer.

Well done clubs for supporting your volunteers!