Aquatic Education Programme Focuses On Saving Lives

Lakes Leisure’s Aquatic Education program is working hard to instil safe habits into our local children in and around the water this summer.

Pupils from Arrowtown, St Joseph’s and Remarkables Primary who are currently participating in the year round programme are learning about life jackets, boating and water safety.

Lakes Leisure Aquatics Manager Alex Calwell said it is important that we ensure our local children understand and respect the waterways that surround us so they can enjoy them safely.

“Giving these kids the opportunity to learn skills that could save their lives is hard to put a value on. The great flow on is that by teaching the kids the importance of wearing life jackets in boats they will often remind their parents to do the same,” Alex said.

Both Kawarau Jet and NZSKi support the programme. Kawarau Jet teach the children practical boating skills and take them out on the lake to experience real life situations, and NZSki assist by providing transport to and from the schools and Alpine Aqualand. Aquatics Manager Alex Calwell believes that these continued partnerships are crucial to water safety in the region.

“Without the help of Kawarau Jet and NZSki the program can only go so far in terms of the skills the kids will learn, but putting them into practise out in a boat, on the lake, really hits the message home. Our specialised program teaches kids the necessary skills to swim and survive so that they can enjoy the wonderful waterways of the Wakatipu safely. That’s a great thing for them to take home to their families and something I know our Harbour Master Marty Black, who is on the coal face of this issue, would agree with,” Alex said.

If you are interested to see the programme in action, the children will be at the Frankton Marina this Thursday November 18 between 12.45 and 2pm working with the team from Kawarau Jet.