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Summer is a busy time of year for swim schools and surf lifesavers.
Although New Zealand has made significant strides in reducing drowning rates, now at 1.35 per 100,000, recent analysis by Water Safety NZ suggests water safety has plateaued, requiring renewed strategies to bring rates lower.
However, a positive trend is the sustained efforts in water safety education such as the Water Skills for Life programme. These have contributed to a significant reduction in drowning rates among under-25s, who account for just 12 per cent percent of fatalities, the organisation reported.
Agencies such as Drowning Prevention Auckland partners with swim schools across the region to enhance and standardise water-safety education, supporting consistent delivery of skills and knowledge while encouraging children to begin developing water competence from infancy and formal swimming skills from ages three to four.
Drowning statistics highlight that blackspots are responsible for 39 per cent of drowning fatalities in Auckland, yet drownings can happen even on “safe” beaches and swimming pools, so Auckland Council strongly encourages people of all ages to learn the basics of swimming.
“With so many beaches and pools in Auckland, being able to swim is an essential safety skill for adults and children,” council says.
Council has many different swim schools including Stanmore Bay Pool and Leisure Centre.
Social media has also introduced some fun yet dangerous water activities.
A manu, a water jumping trick that involves shaping your body to look like a ‘V’ and hitting the water tailbone first, has been a popular summer pastime at beaches, off wharves and into swimming pools for decades.
The jump, although with an amazingly big splash when done correctly, is dangerous without the proper precautions.
Water Safety NZ has just released its new ‘Manu with Mana’ video, with Orewa Beach in the spotlight.
The clip is a timely reminder of safe jumping practices as the popular manu spot gears up for a busy summer.
Another overlooked danger are waters a little closer to home – temporary pop-up pools.
Council’s team leader swimming pools compliance, Wayne Daniel, emphasises the importance of the safety around temporary pop-up pools at home, especially after the drowning of a Napier toddler in 2023.
“A toddler can drown in just 40cm of water and it can happen quickly. People don’t tend to realise just how little it takes,” Daniel said.
“For little ones, that means being in the water with them, watching them and keeping them safe. Even if you don’t have young children yourself, don’t be complacent. You never know who will be visiting your property,” he says.
Under the Building Act, any pool that holds 40cm of water or more is legally required to have a barrier or fence to prevent unsupervised access. Portable pools over 1.2m high don’t need a full fence, but they must have a barrier around the entry point.
Council recommends that people follow these precautions to keep visitors and family alike safe this summer:
• Stay close to children when they’re playing in or near water
• Check fencing and gates are in good condition and that entry to the pool is properly restricted
• Make sure fences are 1.2m high, gates are self-latching and self-closing, and the latch height is 1.5m above ground
• Eyes on; don’t get distracted by your phone, visitors or chores
• Never prop pool gates open
• Check gate latches are working and remove climbable objects
• Empty small portable pools when not in use
• Never leave ladders against portable pools or spas.
