The youth group from Makaurau Marae recently completed our Kai Gathering programme which ended on a high with two open water dives at Te Kohuroa/Matheson Bay. The conditions on the day were perfect for the dive with some serious excitement levels!

Prior to reaching the coast they completed six pool sessions that are based on the 15 water competencies for drowning prevention. The students were able to draw on their existing experience from venturing out with whānau and friends to learn the essential skills, behaviours and attitudes that would keep them safe.

These included understanding shallow water blackout – knowing how to recognise if their buddy was in danger and how to respond. It was great to see them communicating with hand signals and working to keep each other safe.

After mastering some of the trickier skills like how to put on their weight belts whilst in the water, and perfecting the diving and surfacing safely, we took them on a snorkel safari! The group moved together on the course, finishing near the rocks where they were able to swim around, looking for any sea life they could find.

Like any water based activity, working in the pool to perfect the necessary competencies is important before heading out into the ocean. This programme not only teaches them the skills and behaviours but changes the attitudes and ability to assess what could go wrong and how they would respond. We know that they will be able to carry out and use everything they learnt when they are next out diving or snorkelling in the future.
Kairo Jacobs

Aquatic Educator

More Kai Gathering information

Click the link to learn more about our kai gathering workshops.

Contact: Harry Aonga – 021 111 8674 [email protected]

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