Contact Energy will continue to fund the "Contact Swim Well Taupō" programme in Taupō District for the third consecutive year to enable thousands of children to attend swim classes.
The Contact Swim Well Taupō programme features both learn to swim and water safety components to deliver crucial life skills to children across Taupō, Turangi and Mangakino. Contact Energy will invest another $100,000 in the programme.
In 2011, Contact Energy launched the Contact Swim Well Taupō programme (previously Swim For Life Taupō) to enable children to attend free swim classes in the Taupō District. In 2010, Swim For Life Taupō was the winner of Contact's 2010 "What Does Taupō Need?" promotion, which canvasses community opinion on the most effective and meaningful way for the company to get involved in supporting the community.
Contact Energy's Community Relations Manager, Craig Griffiths, says the programme has taught thousands of children to swim for free over the years. "Some of the same students will now receive their 30th lesson and that should make such a difference in their abilities in the water. In 2010, an estimated 3600 children were taught to swim and more than 60 new swim instructors were trained," he says. "We are delighted with what the programme has achieved and we are pleased to sign up for another year."
"We can all agree it is paramount that children are taught these skills particularly in an area dominated by the lake and rivers. Now is the time of year to get them to learn some essential swimming skills so we can continue to keep Taupō's next generation safe," Mr Griffiths says.
Mayor of Taupō Rick Cooper thanked Contact for their generous support of the programme and reminded everyone of the dangers of being unprepared in the water. "We cannot underestimate the importance of these crucial life skills."
Taupō District Council Aquatics and Fitness Manager Virginia Munro says the successful partnership of Lake Taupō Sports Advisory Council, Taupō District Council and major sponsor Contact Energy has helped enable local schools to access the programme by covering costs.
"Our purpose is to ensure every child, by the age of 12, can swim confidently and has the associated survival skills and understands key water safety. We believe this is a basic skill all New Zealanders should have so it's great to see we have the support of our local community," says Ms Munro. "I'm thrilled that this wonderful programme is now able to continue."
