BaySwim, a division of Bay Venues, has secured funding to provide 850 students with free access to life saving water skills as part of their Water Skills for Life programme.

The funding for the programme has been provided by Water Safety New Zealand as well as Sport NZ's new Tū Manawa Active Aotearoa Fund administered locally by Sport Bay of Plenty.

BaySwim will be using this funding to teach water safety skills to tamariki who would otherwise not learn these essential survival skills.

'Swimming through schools has been a kiwi tradition, however many schools cannot afford to run their school pools, and new schools are now built without pools to save on costs. Our Water Skills for Life programme is needed now more than ever, especially as we live in a region where kids are often in, on and around water.” says BaySwim manager Claire Edmonds.

Tamariki attending the programme will learn a range of 27 skills that have been chosen as the most likely to save their life in or near water. They learn what they can and cannot do in shallow and deep water, as well as experiencing how much a lifejacket helps you when out at ‘sea'.

BaySwim is operated by Bay Venues Limited who manages 24 venues across Tauranga and several programmes within these facilities to enrich the community. Including BayActive, Bay Venues sport and active play programme, which is another recipient of Tū Manawa Active Aotearoa funding. This funding will provide six local, low decile primary schools the chance to take part in active play and recreational sport throughout next year at no charge.

BaySwim will be working closely with local schools to identify children that will benefit from access to this free programme. If you are a Tauranga school that would benefit, please email the BaySwim team: bayswim@bayvenues.co.nz.