2 Nov 2019

Niue youth to learn water safety skills from Swimming NZ

11:08 am on 2 November 2019

Niuean primary school students are the focus of a new community education initiative being delivered through the Pacific Maritime Safety Programme.

Surf lifesaving flags out at the beach.

Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly

A water safety programme has been launched to teach Niue primary school students water safety skills.

The Water Skills For Life programme was developed by Water Safety New Zealand for children in years one to eight and is delivered in New Zealand schools by Swimming New Zealand.

It's based on 27 core skills, establishing competencies for life-long water safety.

A Swimming New Zealand spokesperson, Chris Morgan, said the programme had been adapted for Niue, placing more emphasis on hazards and risks in natural environments, safety around boats and canoes and survival techniques in open water.