Independent views By Brendan Horan

As an island nation, we are blessed with an abundance of fabulous beaches, lakes and rivers, all of which provide boundless opportunities for a host of aquatic sports and recreational activities.

Many believe that aquatic activities are a birthright of all New Zealanders.

Most readers likely had the good fortune of being taught to swim at school. Being able to swim is considered a critical life skill and an essential part of school physical education programmes. Sadly today it is a challenge for many schools to provide for swim instruction, as the cost of providing and maintaining a swimming complex is outside the scope of today's school's budget. The new pool at Omokoroa School cost the community $310,000.

Some local school principals report swimming is difficult to programme and that there has been a significant decline in children's swimming skills. Though subsidised, there is a lack of space in local pools. This limited access means some schools are only able to run two-week swim programmes. The alternative for parents is to enrol their children into a professional swim school or club, where in Tauranga the practice is for coaches to hire a training lane. On top of coaching costs, the pupils also pay the standard entrance fee of $4.70 per swim.

Compared to other council sporting and recreational facilities children may use, swimming costs in this city are expensive and prohibitive for many families. Use of parks and reserves is free for children (football, rugby, netball, tennis courts etc), use of the library the same. These are not essential life skills activities.

We must make swimming affordable. Join my endeavour and sign my petition to make swim training more affordable. Drowning remains the second leading cause of unintentional death for children under 14 in our country. I believe that a gold coin entry to all local swim facilities for all children (including secondary school) is reasonable and fair.

Facebook.com/Brendan.horan.336 twitter.com/brendanhoran or phone Brendan 07 574 0253.