Young people learn life-saving water skills on Junior Skippers course

Published on October 09, 2026

Aquatics Horowhenua Junior Skippers Course October 2026 media release thumbnail image featuring Aquatics Programmes and Events Supervisor Rhona Watt and course participants.

Almost 60 young people have completed this year's Junior Skippers Course at Levin Aquatic Centre, learning the skills and awareness they need to stay safe on the water.

The course was fully booked, with 60 places across different classes held over three days. Instructors took participants through two parts, building from basic water awareness to hands-on boating and rescue skills.

Horowhenua District Mayor Bernie Wanden said learning practical water safety skills was especially important for a coastal district like Horowhenua, where family often spend time near beaches, lakes, rivers and boats.

"Water is such a big part of life here, and helping our young people feel confident and make safe choices around it is incredibly valuable. Courses like Junior Skippers give tamariki and rangatahi practical skills they can carry with them, while also helping keep our wider community safer," Mayor Wanden said.

Part 1: Water safety basics

  • "WET" awareness: understanding the environment, having the right equipment and planning ahead before going on the water
  • Sizing and fitting lifejackets properly
  • Safe water entry and stepping in
  • HELP, which stands for Heat Escape Lessening Posture
  • Huddles and rescue chains

Part 2: Boating and rescue skills

  • Three points of contact in a boat
  • Scuba exit
  • Ocean-to-boat rescue
  • Upturned boat

Aquatics Programmes and Events Supervisor Rhona Watt said the course had been a highlight for instructors and participants alike.

"Congratulations to all our Junior Skippers on successfully completing their Junior Skippers Course. What an amazing accomplishment. I know the instructors thoroughly enjoyed seeing you all having a fantastic time learning valuable skills and building confidence and awareness for staying safe when out on the water. It's a fantastic course to help build a safer community for everyone.

"We are extremely grateful for the support from the Royal New Zealand Coastguard, especially their Safe Boating Education Programme. Their support over the years has been incredible, and having their recent support providing us with new lifejackets and a new boat is amazing."

The team will be out and about in November, which is Water Safety Awareness Month, and over the summer holidays with their boats - so keep an eye out, as Junior Skippers might not be done making waves just yet.

Aquatics Programmes and Events Supervisor Rhona Watt with participants from the Junior Skippers Course held at the Levin Aquatic Centre.

Pictured above: Aquatics Programmes and Events Supervisor Rhona Watt with course participants.

 

 

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