Free swimming lessons for Bay of Plenty children

Bayswim manager Matthew Strange is launching an initiative to sponsor needy kids' swimming lessons. Photo/John Borren

BaySwim is looking for sponsors to fund swimming lessons for children from needy families as the number of children unable to swim increases.

In the Bay of Plenty last year there were six preventable drownings and 17 hospitalisations for near-drowning.

BaySwim manager Matthew Strange said his passion was to get as many kids swimming as possible.

"We need to get these kids in the water to learn a basic life skill."

The BaySwim initiative was for preschool children from families who could not afford swimming lessons.

The children involved would be selected by Salvation Army support services.

"People living below the poverty line is a hot topic, and it's causing children to miss out on additional activities like learning to swim."

Each sponsored child would be funded for an entire year of lessons to ensure each child had "a fair shot at learning to swim", Mr Strange said.

According to Water Safety NZ research, children aged between 1 and 4 years were 88 per cent less likely to drown if they had formal swimming lessons.

BaySwim hoped private and commercial sponsors could help cover the cost of providing the lessons.

"They might see it as a way to assist toward social outcomes they desire but don't have the time for."

There was no set donation amount; money donated for the initiative would go into one fund to be distributed to pay for lessons for as many children as possible.

The lessons would provide children with mental, physical, social, cognitive and safety benefits.

Mr Strange said those supporting the project would be doing more than ensuring local kids could swim: They would be giving them an equal chance to develop with their peers.

"It can also lead into future participation in swimming clubs, water polo, surf life saving; basically helping set up a healthy and active lifestyle for these children."

Water Safety NZ chief executive Jonty Mills said BaySwim's project was a great community initiative for local businesses to get involved in something that would make a material long-term difference.

"It's grass roots stuff and every New Zealand child should have to opportunity to learn the skills and gain the confidence to enjoy the water and also survive should they get into trouble."

Those interested in supporting should contact Matthew Strange on Matthew.Strange@bayvenues.co.nz.

SWIMMING LESSON SPONSORSHIP
- 40 weeks of swimming development and six weeks of water skills
- Free aquatic access for the child and a supervising parent to Baywave, Greerton, Otumoetai and Memorial pools for the year to practice
- Kids could not be identified as sponsored attendees