About Water Skills for Life
Water Skills for Life provides easily accessible, freely available resources through an e-learning platform, designed to be integrated into any aquatic learning programme. Developed by Water Safety New Zealand for all of Aotearoa, these resources bring essential water skills to life in ways that are fun, engaging, and practical.
Esther Hone is the Interventions Manager at Water Safety New Zealand and a leading aquatic educator in the swimming and water safety industry, with more than 25 years’ experience in New Zealand and abroad.
Esther is a trainer and mentor, focused on using data and evidence-based insights to prioritise interventions that strengthen water safety outcomes across Aotearoa New Zealand.
Together, we can let kids enjoy the water — and know how to survive it.
Water Safety NZ is fiercely proud of what Water Skills for Life can achieve for New Zealand. And we have key support for changing beliefs.
Most people think water safety is about knowing how to swim. It’s not.
Esther Hone shares her mission to save lives through water safety
After surviving a devastating tragedy, she found her purpose − to save lives!
In real water emergencies it’s not a perfect freestyle stroke that saves lives
Can New Zealand really keep believing that ‘swimming equals survival?’ Or can we change the story? We can teach children the skills that will truly keep them alive.
Chris Button is a professor of motor learning at the University of Otago School of Physical Education, Sport and Exercise Sciences.
