12 Feb 2019

Should we teach kids how to swim in open water?

From Afternoons, 1:17 pm on 12 February 2019

Even though the majority of drowning in New Zealand happen in open water, most kids are only taught how to swim in swimming pools.

Open water training

Open water training Photo: Supplied

But new research from the University of Otago shows big improvements in swimming skill and confidence for children who undergo a three-day course on how to stay safe in open water.

The study's lead author, Professor Chris Button, joins us to explain a bit more about the research and what it means for swimming education in New Zealand.