Thousands more children to benefit from Swim Well Taupō after Contact signs sponsorship to 2021
Another wave of children in the Taupō district will benefit from free swimming and water safety lessons after Contact
extended its sponsorship of the Swill Well Taupō programme until the end of 2021.
“We’re excited to continue making a meaningful difference in our community through our long standing partnership with
Swim Well Taupō” says John Clark, Contact Energy Head of Geothermal Generation.
“Taupō is known for its beautiful lakes and rivers and we want our children and families to enjoy them by having the
skills to keep themselves out of danger. The programme has been hugely successful to date as thousands of children have
learnt these life-saving skills. We’ve also contributed to the reduction of water-based tragedies in our region which we
are immensely proud of. Many members of the community have told me how much they value this programme and Contact’s
involvement with it.”
This is the ninth year Contact has sponsored the initiative which equips children aged 5 to 12 with the skills and
confidence to stay safe while having fun in the water. Each year 4,500 students from 18 different schools receive
swimming lessons through the programme. Since 2011 it has provided over 200,000 lessons for 30,000 children and created
numerous job opportunities for swim instructors.
Taupō District Mayor, David Trewavas says the sponsorship will ensure learn to swim programmes continue to be accessible
to every school aged child in the district. “This is incredibly important when you live around a great lake such as
ours. Contact’s ongoing commitment to our young people in helping them develop such vital survival skills should be
congratulated. Contact has been part of our business community for years and we welcome their contribution greatly.”
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