Lessons for all raises water safety

Rhone Ellis grins from ear to ear as he plays in the children's pool at Baywave Tect Aquatic and Leisure Centre with his father Jimmy.
The 14-month-old bounces in the water and splashes with his arms.
"Right from a young age we've found he absolutely loves the water," Mr Ellis says.
"At bath-time he cries when we take him out of the water."
For Mr Ellis and his wife Lisa, teaching their son to be safe in the water was a no-brainer. They introduced him to the pool when he was about 6 months old.
"It's so important to be safe in the water ... and we're going to take [Rhone] in swimming lessons soon," Mr Ellis said.
Mrs Ellis said Rhone watched his elder sister, Siadin, 8, participate in swimming lessons and desperately wanted to join in.
"When he's watching Siadin you can tell he wants to get in there too," she said.
"He's absolutely crazy around the water, he just loves it."
While Rhone and Siadin played in the children's pool, older children Sophie Brown and Maddie Scown, both 11, frolicked in the bigger wave pool.
Sophie's mother, Siobhan Brown, supervised the girls and said it was imperative to be able to swim in a coastal region like the Bay of Plenty.
"Absolutely, I think everybody should know how to swim, regardless of age," Mrs Brown said.
"It's so important and there are lessons out there for people of all ages."
Glenn Quintal, programme and services manager at Tauranga City Aquatics Limited (TCAL), said people were becoming more aware of the importance of water safety.
This was reflected in the increased number of babies, school-aged students and older people taking part in learn to swim programmes.
"People are making a conscious decision to have lessons because they're realising they need to be safe in the water so their children are safe in the water," he said.
"Being water-safe is so important and I think people are finally beginning to realise that."
Two swimming schools, Swimtec Swim School and CCS Disability Action Bay of Plenty Swim School, said they were booked up and busy as more people put priority on swim lessons.
LEARNING TO SWIM
During the holiday period, TCAL offers an intense one-week learn to swim programme, open to people of all ages. If you are interested in attending the next course, which starts on Monday, phone Baywave TECT Aquatic and Leisure Centre on 5750276.