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What is RiverSafe?
RiverSafe is a project that aims to reduce drowning in river,
streams, and creeks -
environments that claim large numbers of lives every year. The
flagship of this project is a partnership between ACC and WSNZ that
delivers curriculum-based resources into schools and promotes
appropriate behaviour amongst the high- risk groups.
There is a network of professional outdoor instructors across the
country who are authorised to deliver the ACC RiverSafe Programme to
schools and school-age children. This is normally undertaken as part
of a school camp, or part of existing river safety programmes the
instructor has in place.
In December 2005 many instructors gathered at Otaki River to undergo
professional development, funded by ACC and the Sports, Fitness,
Recreation Industry Training Organisation (SFRITO). This was seen as a
very important activity by the instructors and WSNZ, and will be
repeated at the end of this year.
Soon, all RiverSafe preferred providers will be re-licensed under the
new RiverSafe Provider Guidelines. WSNZ will work with the licensed
providers to actively market to schools and other education
institutes. This, in conjunction with the RiverSafe Supervisory
System, will mean teaching river safety will be more accessible to
schools than ever before.
Both the Supervisory System and the Provider Guidelines are key
elements of the risk management strategy of RiverSafe, and WSNZ will
be discussing these with key stakeholders, including NZOIA and EONZ,
over the next two months.
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Getting River Safety To Schools
This month ACC and Water Safety New Zealand undertook a campaign to
promote RiverSafe to schools across the country. Using a mixture of
direct mail and advertising, the campaign has highlighted the
importance of education in preventing river drownings.
The front page and page three of the teacher’s journal Starters &
Strategies were devoted to promoting the ACC RiverSafe Programme. This
was followed up a week later with a personal letter to every
intermediate and secondary school, introducing RiverSafe and
explaining the programme.
The aim of this marketing exercise is to increase the profile of the
ACC RiverSafe Programme with the ultimate outcome of more schools
utilising the preferred provider network for river-based EOTC
experiences.
Over the coming year WSNZ will be working closely with schools,
through RiverSafe, to increase appropriate skills and ultimately to
reduce drownings.
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RiverSafe Provider Profile - Steve Brown
Steve Brown has indulged his passion for outdoor activities since his
early years. After formal training Steve turned his passion into a
career through Wild Earth Adventures Ltd. Steve is a highly qualified,
experienced instructor, with skills ranging from one-on-one
experiences to the facilitation of large group programmes. A key
driver for Steve is showing the splendour of the New Zealand outdoors
to clients through a fun, safe positive experience.
Steve’s company, Wild Earth Adventures, is an ACC RiverSafe preferred
provider. To ensure the highest safety Wild Earth Adventures are
certified and audited by industry authorities. They operate to best
practice levels and hold a Department of Conservation concession and
are annually audited to hold a Maritime New Zealand Certificate of
Compliance.
Qualifications / Affiliations
- Bachelor of Physical Education, University of Otago
- Certificate, Mountain Leadership, Otago Polytechnic
- Education Outdoors NZ - Outdoor One Assessor
- Swift Water Rescue Technician \
- NZ Boat Masters Certificate
- NZ Outdoor Instructors Association (NZOIA)
- Maritime New Zealand: Jet Boat Operator
- ACC RiverSafe Programme Provider
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Coastguard: Front and Centre
The Auckland International Boat Show recently held in the city of sails
attracted interest far and wide, with Coastguard flying the flag for water
safety. Coastguard Boating Education was visible in two locations at the
show, held over five days earlier this month.
With both an on-the-water practical challenge, and an information stand,
Coastguard reached customers and distributed product information in the
broadest way possible.
Over two hundred people participated in the Powerboat Handling Challenge
which was on board a Coastguard training vessel with an expert RYA
Powerboat Instructor on board. Participants were guided through a man
overboard drill and manoeuvring in a confined space. Spot prizes were
distributed twice daily and all members of the public were subsequently
sent boating course information.
The Coastguard information stand in the Alinghi base was strategically
placed next to WSNZ member Maritime New Zealand and Coastguard’s strategic
partner Yachtlife Line, providers of the Marine Medic course. With a full
range of new brochures on display and staff in logo clothing for easy
identification, Coastguard reinforced their image as a professional
organisation that is moving with the times. The stand was complete with a
three panel display detailing all course information and the Day Skipper
Experience stand which promotes the youth programmes available to
secondary students.
The Auckland International Boat Show targets bigger boats and is located
in the downtown Viaduct Harbour whilst in June; the Hutchwilco Boat Show
targets the trailer boat market. Coastguard Boating Education is supported
by Water Safety New Zealand at both shows with the safety message: The
more you know, the Better your Boating.
(Special thanks to Carol Forsyth from Coastguard Boating Education, who
provided this report)
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AIRING
ADAM CLANCEY
Adam Clancey – host of Sky TV's Fishing NZ show
and Water Safety New Zealand spokesperson for the Safe Fishing
project – was recently interviewed on Triangle TV's Galleria show.
Screening a total of 16 times over one week, Adam took rock fishing,
angling and boating safety messages to northern New Zealand.
Last year there were 20 fishing-related drowning deaths in New
Zealand. The importance of education in safe fishing practice speaks
for itself, as culturally New Zealand is unique to many other
developed countries: fishing is not just recreation, it is a regular
source of food for families.
The Galleria show is an ideal lead-in to the work WSNZ does with
Adam and also Pio Terei, who will again combine to deliver safe
boating and fishing messages to New Zealanders via the Fishing NZ
show as well as Tangaroa, currently screening on Maori TV.
Important messages continue to be delivered and reinforced as the
pastime of fishing in New Zealand grows in popularity. WSNZ is
pleased to have Adam involved. Author of numerous fishing books and
a NZ fishing identity for over 20 years, Adam’s knowledge of tackle
and technique has lead to him holding numerous national fishing
records, making him a positive role model for anglers across the
country.
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Feature
Story:
ASSESSMENT
OF STRATEGIC RELEVANCE FOR P.T.E.s
The Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) is reviewing Private Training
Establishments with the objective of bringing about strategic funding
shifts over the years 2005-07.
The review sets out to shift funding from areas of low relevance to
those of higher strategic relevance within the PTE pool; and ensure
that the Student Component-funded provision in the review areas is
“high performing” and relevant, meets the needs of students and
stakeholders, complements existing public sector provision, and builds
on the strengths of PTEs.
So why is this WSNZ news?
A number of preferred providers of the ACC RiverSafe Programme are
also private training establishments. They educate not only school
children, but also adult learners seeking to enter the outdoor
education sector. This current review may affect them, and in the
longer term the industry as a whole.
Indications are that on all courses there will be an expectation of a
minimum pass rate of 50% and a minimum of 60% of these into the
workforce etc. These figures are only a starting point and the 50%
will inevitably increase.
So how would this affect water safety education in the outdoors? Some
believe this review may mean qualifications will be given out just to
reach the expected targets as set out by the government body (TEC).
There are those that believe – in the case of Outdoor Recreation /
Adventure Tourism – that these expectations could reduce the quality
of graduates and result in risk for an employer or harm to a client.
Further, it is suggested that the accessibility of these courses will
be made more difficult to people such as single parents, people
retuning to the workforce, etc. as they often take longer to complete
a qualification.
On the other hand this review is going across the board, and outdoor
education is not the only area to be targeted by the TEC. The stated
outcomes seem to include raising the bar for the numerous EFTS-funded
activities, and this could result in better value for taxpayers’
money.
Water Safety New Zealand is monitoring the situation as it relates to
our core business. We welcome the opportunity to bring this to our
members’ attention.
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