Thousands of kids learning life saving skills
The Beach Education programme will continue until April 15 this year.
Surf Life Saving Northern Region (SLSNR) will run a beach education programme on Waiheke next weekend – March 19-20. The island is the latest destination for the practical water education classes which has seen more than 12,000 kids trained this summer.
SLSNR recently spent two days bringing its beach education programme to Great Barrier Island.
“Although there isn’t a surf club on Great Barrier it’s important we carry out the Beach Education programme throughout the region,” said Sarah Mortimer, SLSNR’s Beach Education Manager.
“We were there last summer and they asked us to come back again, which is great.”
While the end of the summer-like weather is on the horizon, the Beach Education programme will continue until April 15.
Kids learning valuable water skills
Sessions have already been held at Red Beach, Mairangi Bay, Muriwai, Bethells, Piha and Kariotahi this summer, as well as other beaches outside the Auckland Council area.
SLSNR has also run a City Nippers programme over the summer at Takapuna Beach, St Heliers Beach, Mission Bay, Maraetai Beach, Eastern Beach and Bucklands Beach for kids who don’t have access to surf life saving facilities at urban beaches.
The students are split into smaller groups for theory, class room sessions including the top ten safety rules; how to recognise rip currents and life saving drills.
Water skills add practical experience to the beach education programme and include the proper use of boogie boards, duck diving, how to wade correctly and the use of rescue tubes.
“Using any equipment properly is key to staying safe in the water,” said Ms Mortimer.
The SLSNR’s annual budget is partially funded from Auckland Council rates and other district councils which have surf clubs in their area.
Find out more at Surf Life Saving.
About Surf Life Saving Northern Region
Surf Life Saving Northern Region (SLSNR) is a not-for-profit charity and is part of Surf Life Saving which has been in place on New Zealand beaches since 1910. The organisational purpose is "Protecting our community in the water".
SLSNR is the largest Surf Life Saving region in New Zealand with 17 Surf Clubs and nearly 6000 members from Raglan to the Far North.
SLSNR coordinates the delivery of lifesaving activities through the 17 clubs in its region. The organisation delivers a vital community service which includes the delivery of lifesaving activity, club development, water safety education, sport, and leadership development programmes.