Posted: 09 September 2005
NRC donates $1700 buoyancy aids to 'Waterwise' group
Twenty-one buoyancy aids worth about $1700 have been donated to a Whangarei-based group aiming to boost the safety and confidence of young people around water.
Whangarei Waterwise Coordinator Mo FitzPatrick says she is thrilled with the Northland Regional Council donation.
Whangarei Waterwise was started in March this year and integrates Waterwise, Coastguard Education and Water Safety New Zealand.
Over a two-year period, participating students complete eight modules involving kayaking, rowing, sailing, equipment, weather, navigation, emergencies and risk management.
Miss FitzPatrick says in recent months several hundred pupils have attended Whangarei Waterwise events at Parua Bay.
She says the group is keen to become the leading provider of water safety education in Northland and recently approached the Northland Regional Council for sponsorship to help purchase equipment.
Council Regional Harbourmaster Ian Niblock – himself a former Waterwise instructor - says the group’s work dovetails nicely with the Council’s own boating education efforts.
Meanwhile, Mr Niblock says as well as donating the buoyancy aids, the Council has also agreed to provide some staff time to assist Miss FitzPatrick with her work.