About Us
The primary authorised purpose for
distribution of funds is for the development and promotion of
new, and to enhance, existing water safety education projects
and programmes in all New Zealand communities. However, in
recognising that facilities who offer gaming machine operations
are reliant on local community support the Trustees have ensured
that a proportion of any money raised within a community is
available, as a grant or donation, to other recognised
charitable organisations within that community to help further
the objectives of these groups.
Priorities in water safety education include:
Learn to Swim and Survive
Swimming ability and knowledge of survival swimming are the
basis for enjoying all aquatic activities and environments. The
ability to swim is a ‘core-life’ skill required by all New
Zealanders. Water Safety New Zealand has recently launched a new
national initiative ‘Swim For Life’ which will work with
all primary schools in the country to help them implement a
learn to swim programme that will have all their students
swimming 200 metres confidently and competently by the time they
reach 12 years of age.
Boating
Boating drownings are the single biggest fatality group within
the recreational drowning statistics. Recreational boating is
part of the New Zealand way of life but sadly all to many us
charge into this activity without the required skill and
knowledge to ensure the safety of those participating. The
delivery of recreational boating education is a priority for the
WSEF.
Environmental
Safety skills linked to the physical environment are essential,
i.e. skills suitable for recreation activities at beaches,
rivers, swimming pools and also in providing a safe environment
in domestic situations around the home.
On average 4 under 5’s drown in domestic environments each
year. This group are totally reliant on others for their safety
around all aquatic environments, the key here is educating
parents and caregivers about their responsibilities regarding
supervision, ensuring that the home environment is ‘water safe’
and through the provision of opportunities for safe and fun
water experiences.
Aquatic Recreation
Within aquatic recreation pursuits there is an accepted level of
risk, such as white water rafting and underwater activities.
Although these pursuits have a good safety record, there is a
identified need for appropriate education and public awareness
to ensure the uninitiated understand both the activity and
environment to an acceptable level.
WSEF Trustees
Alan Warner - Company Manager
Brooke Archbold - Manager
David Henderson - Consultant
Ian Greenwood - Retired
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