🏊‍♂️ Why Choosing the Right Swim Instructor Can Save Your Child’s Life

In New Zealand, the drowning rate is nearly double that of Australia—a sobering reminder of the importance of teaching children how to swim. As Kiwi parents enjoy the summer, Jordan Watson (How to Dad) and Clint Roberts, hosts of The Parenting Hangover podcast, are urging families to prioritize water safety.

On their latest episode, the duo explored why swimming lessons matter, what’s wrong with overcrowded programs, and how to choose the right instructor.

📊 The Alarming Stats

• 90 preventable drownings were recorded in New Zealand last year.
• Nearly 31% of Kiwis can’t swim or float in the ocean for long.
• Only 9% of adults managed to swim more than 50m in the ocean in 2022.

Watson and Roberts stressed that while New Zealand is an island nation, the assumption that “everyone can swim” is dangerously false.

👩‍🏫 Why the Instructor Matters

Roberts shared his personal story: after three years in free council-run Learn To Swim programs, his daughter made little progress. The large class sizes meant she didn’t get the attention she needed.

The solution? A private swim school. Within six months, his daughter went from water-shy to confidently swimming across the pool without floatation aids.

“A skilled instructor changes everything,” Roberts emphasized.

🚫 Parents Aren’t Always the Best Teachers

Both hosts cautioned parents who aren’t strong swimmers themselves against teaching their kids. As Roberts put it, “It’s like bad drivers teaching their children to drive—bad habits get passed on.”

💡 Key Takeaways for Parents:

• If financially possible, invest in a qualified swim instructor.
• Confidence comes from both structured lessons and frequent exposure to water.
• Always supervise closely—overconfidence in kids can be as dangerous as fear.

For resources, parents can explore Water Safety New Zealand and Under5 for expert advice. To dive deeper into these strategies, listen to The Parenting Hangover podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, or your preferred platform.