Swim passion keeps students afloat

Henk Greupink (left) with Glenholme School pupils Te Koha Jansen, 11, Adrian Hurihanganui, 7, and Phoenix Pekipaki-Duff-Timoti, 10. Photo / Stephen Parker

It's not enough for people to be saying Rotorua kids should be water safe, Henk Greupink wants to make it happen.

The passion for making sure kids have a better chance at learning to swim is behind Mr Greupink teaming up with Glenholme School to offer significantly reduced swimming lessons to the school's students.

Mr Greupink, owner of Orange Swim School, said they had been looking at ways to give back to the community after helping kids in Murupara learn to swim last year.

"I found it really rewarding to look after the lower decile schools and to give them the ability and chance to swim."

Mr Greupink said the partnership with Glenholme School (a decile 3 school) worked with the Board of Trustees not charging him to hire the pool and covering the associated costs, while he offered lessons to students for just $5 each - to cover staff costs.

The trial started this term with very little advertising and already has 40 children enrolled.

"We are doing it to look after the community, to look after the school. It's a long-term investment."

Mr Greupink said he would love to do similar in other schools.

"People talk the talk, you've got to walk the walk."

Mr Greupink said the programme aimed to give children the ability to swim for survival as well as raise water safety awareness such as the dangers of swimming in baggy clothing.

Glenholme School principal Nancy Macfarlane said a study last year showed pupils were quite confident swimmers but the school wanted to continue to improve that to keep them safe around water.