Fears of increased drownings 

Source: ONE News

Water Safety New Zealand is encouraging people to let others know where they are going before heading off into the water this summer.

Ninety-six people drowned in New Zealand waters in 2008 - the second lowest year on record for about 30 years and well below the five-year average of 114 per year. In 2007, 110 people drowned.

One man died in the Hurunui River, south of Cheviot, on the last day of 2008.

Water Safety 's general manager Matt Claridge says while the lower figure is pleasing, 40% of all drownings usually happen in the December and January as people wind down and the weather gets warmer.

He says the biggest problem is a lack of communication and people need to swim with others or at least let others know where they are going. And he says swimmers should always check the depth of the water.

Claridge says the same safety rules apply to boaties who must always be prepared. The advice follows Tuesday's rescue off Maketu on the Bay of Plenty coast. A family of five spent 24 hours in rough seas in a six-metre runabout after a snorkelling trip went awry.

Claridge says it's this time of year that boaties get slack and they must check conditions and take responsibility.

And Claridge is worried at the future impact of the loss of swimming lessons from most primary schools. He say this means that 20 years from now there will be a whole generation without basic swimming skills - something that will surely result in more drownings.

He says all children should be taught to swim through the education system, as it's an important and valuable life skill.

Claridge says Water Safety will continue its marketing campaign to try to make people more aware of safety issues in the water but he says the messages only get through if people know how to swim in the first place.