The students were split into three groups of about 15 and rotated through three activities.
As well as embarking on a sail with the waka the students were run through correct wearing of life jackets, predicting weather conditions and coming to grips with being on the sea and within a working crew.
With the Coastguard they learned how the volunteer organisation operated, had a tour of its Ahuriri base and were run through boating safety rules.
Surf Life Saving staged water activities, focused around safety, at the Pandora Pond.
Mr Smith said some students were selected for their leadership qualities while others had already become involved with water activities.
"Next year we are looking at expanding it to take in primary and intermediate children," Mr Smith said, although everything would be dependent on being able to source sufficient funding.
"It is all about getting the water safety message out there."
