Newsable: Barriers stopping kids learning to swim ‘concerning’

Thursday, 20 June 2024

Factors stopping parents from taking their kids to swimming lessons were discussed on Newsable.

The principal at Christchurch’s Waitākiri Primary School, Andrew Barker, estimates just 15 of its 200 year five and six pupils can “swim confidently.”

Newsable spoke to Baker about the reasons some parents have gotten out of the habit of getting their kids swimming lessons - one was Covid-related and another was an issue making life difficult for a number of parents at the moment.

Click the play button above to listen to the full interview and hear Barker’s thoughts.

Modern swimming lessons aim to better equip kids for water safety.

Barker told Newsable: 'We're an island nation and it is really concerning the declining numbers of our students who can swim well enough to save themselves.'

Newsable is Stuff’s daily news podcast, wrapping up what’s worth talking about in a short package each weekday morning. Like and follow us wherever you get your podcasts.