THE NEW ZEALAND INFANT & PRESCHOOL AQUATICS ROADSHOW Two weeks of specialised education for Infant and Preschool Instructors across the country has provided the platform for encouraging growth in swim schools and instructor professional development. 10 AUSTSWIM Infant and Preschool Aquatics courses were rolled out across New Zealand through the mid year school holidays. Participants from the Far North through to Invercargill attended the courses, all of which were delivered by AUSTSWIM and assisted by trainee presenters from New Zealand. The courses provided in depth learning opportunities in both theory and practical components. Immediate evaluation of the courses acknowledges a better than expected performance rating. WSNZ is pleased with the Road Show where over 120 preschool/infant instructors from around New Zealand attended courses. Presenters will now be able to finalise their qualifications along with instructors moving towards completing the international qualification provided by AUSTSWIM. The qualification now gives credibility and assurance to swim schools and WSNZ as instructors develop the skills and knowledge essential to teaching small children valuable water confidence skills.

JUST ADD WATER SEMINAR – DUNEDIN 31 JULY/1 AUGUST JAWS (Just Add Water Seminar) is New Zealand’s annual Aquatics Conference. JAWS is relevant to all sectors of the Aquatics Industry, including facility owners, operators, managers and coordinators, industry consultants and local government personnel. JAWS presents delegates with the opportunity to meet with colleagues from around New Zealand over two days of learning, discussion and networking. In addition, the line up of high caliber speakers deliver a series of quality presentations all designed to challenge, extend and enhance a delegate's skills, knowledge and experience. WSNZ and the New Zealand Recreation Association are pleased to announce that Kirk Marks, President of AUSTSWIM will be presenting at JAWS. Kirk will speak on the Effective Management of a Swim School – the Pool Managers Perspective, along with Trends in the Australian Swimming Pool industry. Also scheduled to speak at JAWS will be Simon Weatherill, CEO of Victoria’s State Sports Centres Trust, Dr Dave Gerrard and Olympic swimmer Dean Kent. For more information and registrations go to www.nzrecreation.org.nz

WHAT IS IN A SWIM SCHOOL WATER CONFIDENCE RESOURCE FOR PARENTS? The Swim City Swim School from Hutt City has produced a valuable resource for parents to educate them on their child’s water confidence lesson experience and development. Through the pamphlet, parents can learn about the value and importance of water and familiarisation for babies. Importantly, reflexes specific to newborns and their connection or association with water activities are profiled. Swim City have ensured that parents gain a full understanding of the progressions through their Under 3’s programme, whilst reminding them of the individual advances children make and the importance of allowing learning to occur at the child’s pace. The inclusion of relevant, bright photos adds to the appeal of the resource which includes credible references to research as well as WSNZ material and recommendations. Swim City have also provided parents with important tips for developing their children’s experience in water as well as gifting practical bath time tips and the ever important reinforcement of the parental supervision message. For more information contact Emma Faulkner.

INFANT AND PRESCHOOL DROWNING PICTURE FOR 2006 WSNZ recently released the drowning fatality statistics for the year to date in 2006. Encouragingly there have been only 43 drowning deaths for the six month period January – June 2006 compared with 64 for the same time last year. The six month toll is the lowest since records began in 1980. There was only one recorded preschool drowning during the first six months of 2006. At the same time last year there had been six drowning deaths, contributing to an annual toll of seven for 2005. Home pools contributed to three drowning deaths in 2005 along with the bath two more. In each of the bath time drownings, a lack of supervision was evidenced by parents leaving children alone in the bath. WSNZ continues to remind parents about the importance of supervision and the role they play at bath time. Thankfully there have been no examples of the above for the year to date and WSNZ encourages all parents and caregivers to maintain hand contact and offer uncompromised supervision whilst bathing small children.

Hey Teacher! Visit BOB: the Water Safety New Zealand online education portal. Heaps of great learning resources available at the touch of a button.	Click the Big Orange Button to go to the site!