25 October 2017
Halberg Launches Adapted ‘Water Skills for Life’ Course
Essential water safety skills course for families of physically disabled young people
The Halberg Disability Sport Foundation has today announced it will launch a water skills training course for physically disabled young New Zealanders and
their families in Auckland and Wellington this summer.
The ‘Flight Centre Foundation Halberg Water Skills for Life’ programme will see the Halberg Foundation adapting the Water Safety New Zealand ‘Water Skills for Life’ course which is aimed at
teaching 5-13 year olds how to keep themselves safe in, on and around water.
The programme in partnership with the Flight Centre Foundation and Water Safety New Zealand will launch at Vector Wero Whitewater Park in Auckland on Saturday 11 November, with a second event scheduled for early 2018 in Wellington.
The Halberg Disability Sport Foundation is collaborating with Water Safety New Zealand and Swimming New Zealand to adapt
the Water Skills for Life course to include physically disabled young people. There are seven skill sets (consisting of
21 in-water skills and six water safety awareness related skills). The adapted course will also include training to
parents/caregivers to support the participants in the water.
The Halberg Foundation is excited about the opportunity to provide this essential training to both the young people it
supports and their families.
“We already deliver an inclusive training course - Halberg NET - for schools and sports on adapting physical activity to include everyone. It’s great to be able to extend do this to
the water and collaborate with such excellent organisations to offer this important training course,” says Halberg
Disability Sport Foundation Chief Executive, Shelley McMeeken.
Jodie Burnard, chair of the Flight Centre Foundation, says it’s fantastic to continue its successful partnership with
the Halberg Foundation for a fourth year.
“Halberg has provided wonderful experiences for young people in communities around New Zealand. Our teams have relished
the opportunity to assist these events. We’re excited to be supporting such an important programme.”
“It’s great to be connecting with the Halberg Foundation on this programme to ensure more young Kiwis get this high
priority water training – and it’s important to extend the training to families too.” says Water Safety New Zealand
Chief Executive Jonty Mills.
Full event details for the ‘Flight Centre Foundation Halberg Water Skills for Life’ events are listed on the Halberg AllSports website.
ENDS