School kids take to water

Sailing boats, kayaks, yachts and tyre tubes were all a part of the school curriculum for Bay friends Vance Williams, Jackson Tatton and Felix Modlmayr.
The Matahui Road School pupils and their peers gave the regular school day a miss yesterday in favour of taking to Omokoroa waters anyway they could.
The 83-person Katikati private school ran amok on the shores of Omokoroa beach taking part in a range of water activities that included beach olympics, sailing training and fishing.
Principal David Tait said the boat day, which had been run annually since the school was founded 15 years ago, aimed at boosting the pupils' "outside school experiences".
"Everyone, including the little ones are allowed to sail solo, go for a kayak and see who's the fastest in the beach sprints. "The day is attended by the whole school, so no one misses out."
Eleven year-old Vance Williams said he and his friends believed that activities such as the boat day were a great way of keeping the children interested.
"It makes school fun."
And 12 year-old Felix Modlmayr agreed.
"It gives us a bit of a break from the classroom."