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Wellington Ocean Sports secures ACC drowning prevention funding through Water Safety New Zealand
The Wellington Ocean Sports Centre has secured ACC drowning prevention funding to deliver safe boating education to at least 1500 school children over the next year.
The funding will be used to deliver a schools water safety programme that focuses on recreational boating including, sailing, waka ama, windsurfing, kayaking and stand up paddle boarding.
Students participating in the programme will be taught the basic principles of safe boating including – weather awareness, use of safety equipment, wearing of life jackets, correct clothing and hypothermia prevention.
These principles will be conveyed through a variety of means including a classroom based theory session, practical demonstration and participation in water based activity.
“Together with Water Safety New Zealand we seek to reduce drowning and water related injury in New Zealand”, said Wellington Ocean Sports Manager Matt Wood. “Recreational boating continues to be a major contributor to drowning statistics and we believe educating children about safe boating practices will help to address this”.
Water Safety New Zealand CEO Matt Claridge says initiatives aimed at children, such as this one by Wellington Ocean Sport Centre, play a key role in ensuring future generations understand the importance of water safety.
"As an Island nation it is crucial that Kiwi kids have an understanding of how to keep themselves safe in, on and around the water. Initiatives such as this are an important part of the work being done to bring New Zealand's high drowning toll down."
Wellington Mayor Celia Wade-Brown was also delighted with the initiative. “The Council is working closely with the Wellington Ocean Sports Centre and Sport New Zealand to establish the Wellington Ocean Sports Programme and are proud to be associated with the delivery of safe boating education in schools. Wellington's harbour and coast offer superb opportunities for sailing, kayaking, waka ama and paddle boarding, so let's enjoy the ocean safely."
The Water Safety New Zealand Schools Programme is underway with the first schools participating during education outside the classroom days in the lead up to Christmas.
