More children within New Zealand are becoming water confident, and learning vital skills needed to swim and survive.
Over 240,000 kids have taken part in 3.5 million Sealord Swim For Life lessons in an effort to reduce the country's drowning toll.
These lessons began in 2010 as a joint initiative between Sealord and Water Safety New Zealand. At the beginning, just 20% of 10-year-old children could swim 50m to safety. Today, however, the number has more than doubled to 52%.
Over five years, 23 regional sports trusts and local organisations have helped implement the programme to the 244,452 children involved. In Southland and Napier, every primary school aged child now receives subsidised swimming lessons. In Tauranga, all schools without a swimming pool have access to swim and survive lessons for years 4-6 students.
Water Safety New Zealand Chief Executive Matt Claridge says Sealord Swim for Life is the single biggest privately funded learn to swim initiative in the country.
“More than 240,000 Kiwi kids being delivered free learn to swim sessions is a huge achievement and without Sealord’s support it would not be possible.”
Sealord spokesperson Stu Yorston adds, “Enjoying the water is an important part of life for New Zealanders and as a company that’s business revolves around the sea, we’re delighted to help keep kiwi kids safe in, on and around the water.”