AusLeisure

YMCA’s learn-to-swim programs have been acknowledged for excellence by the New Zealand Swim Coaches and Teachers Association taking home the Outstanding Swim School Award at a ceremony on Friday 27th April.

With over 14,000 students per year across four Auckland sites, YMCA received the award in the 3001+ students category.

YMCA Quality Services Manager Karla McCaughan says the award is great recognition for the not-for-profit organisation’s tireless work to arm Kiwis with vital water safety skills for life and help address the country’s shocking drowning statistics.

McCaughan advised “we’re an island nation that loves to play in the water, so developing swimming and water safety skill should be a crucial part of growing up in New Zealand.” YMCA offers swimming and water safety lessons for all ages, from babies through to adults. Over the past 12 months, the organisation has also offered half price lessons to Auckland Plunket clients, and free water safety lessons across the city, in an effort to teach as many babies and toddlers as possible vital drowning prevention skills.

McCaughan added “tragically seven children under four drowned last year, so a big part of our work is improving access to swimming and water safety lessons to help Kiwi kids develop what could one day be life saving skills.”

YMCA also places a high emphasis on quality, and requires all teachers to hold an industry recognised qualification from Swimming New Zealand or AUSTSWIM.

Here McCaughan explains “all of our teachers are highly trained, and we have clear and consistent programmes that help progress our students’ skills from floating and submergence, all the way through to breathing and swim strokes.”

The 2018 Outstanding Swim School Award follows on from two industry accolades last year – the 2017 Quality Swim Schools Award from Swimming New Zealand, and the 2017 AUSTSWIM Aotearoa Teacher of Infant and Preschool Aquatics Award that went to YMCA teacher Liam Blain-Caunce.

YMCA Swim School operates from four locations in Auckland: Cameron Pool & Leisure Centre in Mt Roskill; Onehunga War Memorial Pools; Glen Innes Pool & Leisure Centre and Lagoon Pool & Leisure Centre in Panmure. 

12th April 2018 - YMCA AUCKLAND AIMS TO PROTECT SENIORS FROM FALLS

21st March 2018 - NEW ZEALAND AQUATIC CONFERENCES COMBINE 

8th September 2017 - CONCERN OVER DECLINING SWIMMING SKILLS AMONG NEW ZEALAND CHILDREN

27th June 2017 - AUSTSWIM FLAGS IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATION IN AQUATIC EXERCISE PROGRAM DELIVERY 

21st April 2017 - YMCA AUCKLAND SWIM SCHOOLS RECEIVE SWIMMING NEW ZEALAND AWARD

11th November 2016 - YMCA NEW ZEALAND APPOINTS NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE

27th November 2015 - YMCA AUCKLAND RECOGNISED FOR 160 YEARS OF ACTIVITY PROVISION 

11th November 2016 - YMCA NEW ZEALAND APPOINTS NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE

27th November 2015 - YMCA AUCKLAND RECOGNISED FOR 160 YEARS OF ACTIVITY PROVISION 

3rd July 2014 - YMCA AUCKLAND WELCOMES NEW AQUATIC AND RECREATION FACILITY MANAGEMENT CONTRACTS 

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