New Kiwi's message for the locals: be safe, learn to swim

Karim Rostami. Photo / Scottie T Photography

Summer is just around the corner and Kiwis all over New Zealand are digging out shorts and sunglasses and drifting towards the waterways. With the promise of balmy days ahead, it's easy to overlook the spectre that haunts Kiwi summers.

Drownbase.org.nz has recorded 68 drowning fatalities this year to September 11; that's 14 more than in the same period last year. In a country with a 14,000km coastline, 4000 lakes and 180,000km of rivers on which to work and play, water confidence is a national obligation.

And it's not only children who must be taught to swim - just three of the fatalities this year were under 13.

Karim Rostami came to New Zealand in 1999, a destitute 18-year-old refugee from Afghanistan. Now a successful businessman, Rostami has spent the last two years fundraising for Surf Life Saving NZ.

"Living in New Zealand, water is such a huge part of our lives and so it's very important to be able to look after yourself and handle yourself safely in the water. Swimming is just something we all need to be able to do. It's not impossible to learn, no matter who you are."

Rostami speaks from experience - a childhood bout of polio left him with limited use of his legs and he swims using only his arms. He admits a couple of close calls with the water in his adopted country prompted him to learn to swim - and added fire to his fundraising attempts.

"I chose SLNZ as I know what a fantastic job they're doing. Every time I swim in the ocean I'm very aware of their presence. I'm also aware that funding is limited for their organisation. I feel it's every New Zealander's right to swim safely on their shores and SLNZ enable this to happen."

Aucklander Martin Howard agrees. Every Tuesday for 18 weeks over summer, Howard will drive his daughter, Lucy, from the family home in Epsom to Takapuna beach to participate in the Harcourts Cooper & Co Beach Series.

"For our family, summer means holidays at the beach. While our kids have benefited from years of swimming lessons in a pool, there are subtle differences when you find yourself in an unpredictable, ocean environment," says Howard.

"The Beach Series is a fun and family-friendly way for kids to gain confidence in the ocean, which is why I'm more than happy to make the trek over the Harbour Bridge so my daughter can take part."