Greater Auckland Aquatic Action Plan celebrates 500,000th lesson

Auckland’s GAAAP (Greater Auckland Aquatic Action Plan) has this week celebrated its 500,000th lesson.

A collaborative approach involving the swim and survive sector, the Regional Sports Trust Alliance and ASB Community Trust, the GAAAP has delivered free swimming lessons thoughout the Auckland region over the past three years.

Commenting on the milestone lesson, delivered at the YMCA-managed Glen Innes Pool and Leisure Centre, YMCA Chief Executive Peter Fergusson stated “this is a programme targeted towards 'at risk communities' and is not just about learning to swim - but learning to survive in the water.

“We take for granted - as a nation surrounded by water - that 'Kiwi's' have the opportunity to be in, and around, the water regularly... and that, for most, is true.

“Unfortunately, familiarity also drives a false sense of confidence...when you link that sense of confidence with the fact that 90% of children under 10 years cannot swim 200 metres - unlike the good old days when every school had a pool and swimming was one of those compulsory activities - then it is a recipe for disaster.

“Our statistics for drownings in (New Zealand) are abysmal (and) this programme is merely the beginning of delivering desperately needed experience and skills to our children - and through them to families - in an attempt to reverse our drowning trends.”

Key partners in this initiative have been Sport NZ, Water Safety New Zealand, WaterSafe Auckland, Auckland Council, Sealord, Aktive Auckland and the four Regional Sports Trusts, and, Fergusson added “the people, and facilities, delivering the programme 'on the ground' (and) great organisations like the YMCA - no bias shown obviously!”  

22nd July 2014 - NEW REGIONAL STRATEGY AIMS TO MAKE AUCKLAND THE WORLD’S MOST ACTIVE CITY

12th December 2013 - AUCKLAND SWIM SCHEME REACHES 60,000 CHILDREN 

26th November 2013 - ALBANY STADIUM POOL DESIGN TEAM ANNOUNCED

9th November 2013  - AUCKLAND COUNCIL ADVANCES GAME PLAN FOR SPORTS FIELDS 

7th August 2013 - SPORT NZ AQUATIC FACILITIES STUDY SAYS NEW ZEALAND HAS TOO MANY POOLS

10th May 2013 - PASSION, DEDICATION AND INNOVATION SHOWCASED AT NEW ZEALAND SPORT AND RECREATION AWARDS 

27th June 2012 - AUCKLAND MAYOR CONFIRMS FREE POOLS FOR KIDS

5th June 2012 - AUCKLAND’S TEPID BATHS SET FOR 23RD JUNE REOPENING 

11th April 2012 - FREE SWIMMING LESSONS TO REACH 37,000 AUCKLAND CHILDREN

13th January 2012 - WATER SAFETY CAMPAIGN TARGETS HIGH MAORI DROWNING RATES

20th May 2011 - MANUKAU SWIM PROGRAM DELIVERS 200,000 FREE LESSONS 

4th April 2011 - AUSTSWIM TRAINING LAUNCHES IN NEW ZEALAND 

3rd May 2010 - MANUKAU SWIM INITIATIVE EARNS NATIONAL EXCELLENCE AWARD