Swim+Safety+Recounts


 * Water Safety Recounts **
 * ﻿During Week 4, Term 1 we spent a day at Mt Albert Acquatic Centre learning about water safety. These are our recounts of the experience. **

** Super Swim ** I was sprayed with cold water. I felt like I was going to freeze. The Mt Albert Aquatic Centre hose was powerful and I was soaked. I then found out I had to roll my wet clothes off then on while my clothes were wet. It was hard but I eventually achieved it. I then hopped in and swam in my clothes then rolled them off over and over. It was exhausting but well worth it. I had a wonderful time. ** Maxwell **

** Safety at Sea ** I was about to hop in the water at Mt Albert pools. I was the first one in. It was not as cold as I thought it would be. The woman told me to dog paddle to the platform. When everyone had done it we all got to go in the inflatable boat. I was the first one to go in but I had to pull everyone in. My muscles were trembling. We all paddled to the end and back. We were as fast as lightning. The woman told us to lean on the edge and dive off – splash! Then the woman told someone to tip the boat over. As soon as we did that we had to climb on. I could imagine it in my head – falling off. I grabbed on, I got help from my friends but when I got on it was as slippery as an iceberg. Just then we heard someone was going to fall – slip, splash. Straight after someone had to tip the boat over. ** Alex **

** Learning Boat Safety ** On Wednesday 16th February, rooms 16 and 18 went to Mt Alber t pools to learn boat safety. The instructor told us to put on the life jackets. The life jackets were cold, wet and soggy, next we all had to hop in to the boat which was squashy when we got in. But when we got in the pool it was warm and i felt like a jelly fish with my life jacket on. Then we were all told to get into groups of three or four and in our groups we all took turns getting on the boat and paddling to the edge and back again. After that we all had to sit on the edge of the boat and fall into the water backwards and when she told us to do that I felt nervous but when I did it it was fun. After we did that the instructor flipped the boat over and we all separately had to go under the boat, and when it was my turn she told me that there was a hole that was letting us breathe. Then in our groups we took turns getting on the other side of the boat and sliding off. But when we were on the boat it was uncomfortable sitting on a point. And then we were finished and when I got out of the pool my life jacket wash heavy, soggy, wet and cold. Overall the day was fun. I learnt lots and learning boat safety is important and exciting. ** Imogen **



On the 16 of February Room 16 and 18 went to Mt Albert aquatic centre to learn about surviving in deep water. The cold damp life jackets- we each get handed one. I think that mine was the wettest, soggiest, dampest one in the pile. Then we get taught all about different types of life jackets. Ones that you wear on boats, ferrys and ships. Not long after we all jump in. The water was pretty cold and deep. We got into groups of three or four then we learnt to stay warm by huddling in a tight circle. We all got on the boat. I was the skipper. With our hands we paddled to the lane rope and back. It was very hard work but we all managed to stay in the boat. The instructor tipped the boat over and pulled the bung out. We all took turns swimming under and she asked us why we need to keep it out when we are under the boat. I didn’t know, she said, so that we get fresh air. “wow” I thought but it was still pretty hot under there. After that we tipped the boat back up right so the next group could have as much fun as we did.
 * Mila **

On Wednesday 16 February 2011 room 16 and 18 travelled by bus to the Mt Albert Aquatic Centre to do a set of fun activities.

First group 3 walked up excitedly to a corner of the steaming builidng ... station B. Our instructor asked us to sit or lie on the cold, wet, hard cement floor. I excitedly curled up in the corner. I could feel the fast, excited heatbeats of others around me. We were all waiting ... for the dreaded, ice cold hose of terror. Out of the corner of my eye I can see the hose being picked up by the instructor and is spraying the others around me. Soon enough the powerful, icy droplets are pelting down on my face like hail. After he attacks everyone else it is packed away. Finally we are safe from the evil wrath.

The instructor suddenly pulls me to the front to use me as a model on how to roll your wet clothes off without suffocating. I did this with ease with the instructor but when I tried this alone I was hopeless. I tried and tried but I was horrible. Finally after about twenty attempts I got my wet clothes over my head. Then we were told to jump in the water. As I jumped in I felt a warm shiver go up my body. I gripped onto my cold clothes and slid them into the warm water creating a small drag. I gripped my clothes and pulled them under the lane ropes. Everyone else jumps in.

The instructor tells us to swim one lap freestyle. It's not my best stroke but I could still manage one lap. So i put my clothes back on and started swimming. I started slow and tried to get faster but I just couldn't get faster at all. so I kept my pace to the end of the pool. I looked forward and I saw the gleaming, crystal blue water but I also saw little slow people. I think to myself "So it wasn't just me who was going slower than ususal!" People were catching up so I got going. I swam and I swam until I had no energy left, thankfully there was a net island there for me to stand on. I stand on the lime green, springy island catchiing y breath. Suddenly I spring into action and I stretch into steamline position all the way to the end. I am standing at the end of the pool feeling proud but exhausted at the same time. I'm so tired I can feel my heartbeat ringing my ears that are filled with water.

Overall I'd love to do that again and I had an amazing and tiring day. It was a day I'll remmeber for a long time.

** Sophie **

On Wednesday the 16th of February rooms 16 and 18 went to the Mt Albert Aquatic Centre to learn about water saftety. There were 6 activities and I chose 1 activity to write about.

Firstly we got sprayed with water. The water made me feel like I had shut down because it was so cold.

Secondly we had to learn how to roll off our clothes. I got confused doing this because you had to roll your clothes off without suffocating yourself.

Next you had to swim in your clothes. After this I was quite exhausted because when clothes get wet they get quite heavy.

Finally we had to roll our clothes off in the water. This was challenging because the clothes kept pulling me down.

To sum things up I really enjoyed my time and I learnt alot from it.

** Noah **

** Survival at Sea. **

The cold bench chilled my bones. "Grab a life jacket and get on the floor" said the instructor. The ground was even colder than the bench. I though I'd die of frostbite. Here I am with rooms 18 and 16, Mt Albert Wave Pools, doing survivial at sea on the 23 of February.

We had to master the art of putting on a life jacket in the water. First we practiced on land then ... WHOOSH ... we were in the deep end of the pool. It was more complicated than it had been on land but everyone managed to succeed. "Time to jump off!" chimed the instructor. We clambered up to the ledge and before you know it it's my turn. Easy I say in my head. It turns out easy. "Now for the waves" says the instructor, you could tell she was enjoying it. She did the thumbs up sign and sure enough the waves started lapping up against the side of the pool. I watched everyone else go, it looked simple. It was my turn. My heart felt like it was going to burst out of my chest and run away screaming. I closed my eyes. Suddenly I flung myself over the ledge. I heard the wind whistle in my ears. SPLASH my body hit the water. I felt limp and floated up to the surface. Suddenly if seemed super-fun and I wanted to do it again but sadly we had to move on.

The warmth of the others soaked my skin as we hudddled in the semi-cold pool. I felt peaceful until the voice of the instructor riped the calmness. Suddenly I found myself using survivial techniquest in the raging torrent of waves.

It was a day that presented challenges but overall it was fun.

** Pearl **

** The Swimming Activity **

Me and my group got out of the pool ready for our next activity - learning how to swim with our clothes on.

First we went to our bags and put on our clothes. My teeth were chattering together madly. Then we went to the instructor. He told us what to do. After all that boring news we got sprayed with the hose. It was freezing cold with excitement.

We also learnt how to roll our clothes off. It was quite hard but I did it. Our clothes would stick to our body and we had to do it while lying down.

Finally we jumped in the pool. My nerves felt like they were turning to steel. My body was shaking. I felt uncomfortable, then one of the instructors said "Come on it's your turn". Before I started swiming I told her I'm not comfortable in deep water but all she said was that's ok I'll be right there. And so it felt ok after all.

Then I got out of the pool feeling proud with a smile on my face as if I could do anything.

** Aaliyah **

** Safety At Sea **

On Wednesday 16 February CS16 and CS18 drove to Mt Albert wave pool to do a water safety programme. I felt really excited about doing this. My group did heaps of activities from station A to station E. Station D was my favourite. It was called Safety At Sea.

First we had to practice putting our life jackets on. Then we had to lie down on top of them and thread our arms though. Mine was way too big. Afterwards we hopped into the pool and practiced an emergency huddle. Our group all had to form a circle and hold onto the person next to our waist. Next we all hoisted our legs up into the middle of the circle. This was meant to keep you warm. Now it's time for my favourite bit. We all lined up next to the edge of the pool and took turns jumping down. The pool was rough and wavey. The instructor had turned the waves on. "Hurry up!" she ordered. I was scared. My toes gripped the edge of the pool. I took a deep breath, closed my eyes and ... JUMPED!

I had done it. I was really proud of myself. "Great" said the instructor. "Off to your next station!"

** Vinny **

On Wednesday the 16 of February CS 16 and 18 went to Mt Albert Aquatic Centre for our water safety programme to learn water safety in the water. The activity I am going to tell you about is called boating.

At first we put our life jackets on and learnt about another type of life jacket. I felt different. Then we learnt how to huddle to stay warm when your boat has sunk, it felt very weird. After that, we got into groups of four and got into the boat. We paddled to the lane rope and back - it was fun. Then we fell out of the boat, when we did it was so wobbly. A little while after we pulled out the rope and tried to climb on top, it was very difficult. A few minutes later er pulled out the rope again and tried to tip it the other way - I found it very hard. I learnt that when we went under the boat she showed us a hole which you are supposed to breath through. So that brings me to the end of my day.

** Aashiya **

Excitement somewhat lingered in the air as room 16 and 18 clambered onto the bus and drove away. Everyone got off and walked to the Mt Albert Aquatic Centre. We had our morning tea and then my group and I walked over to our station. Some people had to get their togs on while others had already changed. Wait - let me clarify that - we had our clothes on over our togs. As crazy as this seems, it was the station we were at (A confidence, B clothes in water, C boat safety, D survival at sea and E freeplay) involved practising wearing clothes in the water. First we got sprayed with a hose then we took our clothes off and jumped in the water. The people wearing jeans (including me) went out first and put their clotrhes on. Afterwards we were talked though taking off our clothes. Then came t shirt and shorts, followed by just shorts.

I personally think it was an incredibly successful day. The moment I jumped in the water, I knew it would be a hard task but when I stepped out of the pool I was amazed how well I did. In conclusion, I think it was an awesome day I will never forget. Will 

 On Wednesday 16th of February we went to Mt Albert wave pools to learn about surviving in the sea. I went with room 16 and 18. We went by bus.

When we got there we did heaps of activities, but the one I'm going to tell you about is swimming with our clothes on.

First we put our clothes on over our wet togs. Our clothes were nice and warm. Then we got into a line and learnt how to take our clothes off. To take them off you have to do alot of rolling. But it was quite easy. Next they sprayed us with freezing cold water from the hose.

Then we practiced taking our clothes off when they were wet. It was alot harder than I had expected. Next we got into the water, it was really warm compared to the hose water.

Later on we had to swim four lengths in the water with our clothes on. I thought it would be really easy. So we got into a line and started swimming. People in front of me were thrashing about in the water and I wondered why until I started swimming. It was so hard! We had to swim freestyle and we weren't able to put our head under because we would start sinking. When I finished I swear I have never been so tired in my life.

After that we took our clothes off in the water. It was heaps easier than when we were out of the water. Because when we were out of water our clothes stuck to us. But when we were in the water our clothes were all floppy once we took our clothes off. The teachers told us to never swim in our clothes because it is very dangerous and that we could drown. I definitely agree with that!

In summary I think that swimming was really good. Because we learnt alot of things about surviving in the sea and we had lots and lots of fun!

**Elena**

On Wednesday 16th of February, Room 16 and 18 went to the Mt Albert Aquatic Centre to learn how to survive in water. My favourite activity was boat safety.

First of all we put on our life jackets (they were quite uncomfortable) and the instructor gave us a chat about boat safety. Then she told us all to hop in the boat that was on the side of the pool, it was quite squishy because there were lots of us and the boat was quite small. We all hopped out of the boat and the instructor told us to sit on the edge of the pool and one by one we were allowed to hop into the calm cold water.

Next the instructor told us to get into groups. We did and then were all allowed (in our groups ) to take turns paddling to the end and back in the boat, turns out it was surprisingly challenging as it was hard keeping the boat straight and then having to turn it around to come back again. Luckily we managed and then got to sit in the water bobbing around waiting for our next activity. Two seconds later we were hauled out of the water by a parent helper to learn how to keep warm in water.

First we had to huddle together holding each other b your waists, then we had to put out heads back and cross our legs, it was a handy technique. Our group was then told to hop in the boat and flip off the sides. We all scrambled in, hopped on the sides and flipped off with a big splash!

The instructor flipped the boat over and told us to get out of our groups and take going under the boat. It was fun and freaky all at the same time! While the boat was still upside down we got back into our groups and then all hopped on top of the boat, it was quite tricky getting on because the boat was higher than the water. We were told to slide off the boat and then to swim back to the ledge. It was really fun! We were then allowed to take turns flipping the boat upright again, it was scary when the boat was almost going to hit the water, but also exciting!

I think the safe boating is a very important and helpful skill to know about, I had a fun, interesting yet challenging time learning about it.

**Honor**

On Wednesday 16th of February Room 16 and 18 went to Mt Albert Aquatic Centre to do a water safety programme. My favourite activity was boating.

First we learnt how to put our life jacket on properly, and how to put it on in the water. We learnt this because it will help you survive at sea. They were very big and bulgy.

Secondly we learnt how to huddle, this helps you keep warm, stay afloat and helps relax you because if you panic you are less likely to survive. This is essential if your boat sinks and you're in a group. It was uncomfortable.

Thirdly we paddled the boat with our hands to the lane rope and back. It was about team work. It was really fun.

Fourthly we climbed on top of the boat the instructor tipped over. One by one we climbed on top of the boat, we had to stay completely still for 5 seconds, it may seem easy to you but it wasn't. We learnt this skill so if your boat capsizes you can get on top and be safe.

Fifthly we had to go under the tipped over boat one by one learning how to pull the bung out so the boat won't sink.

Finally we learnt how to tip a boat over, first you tie a rope to a part of the boat then put your feet either side of the motor and lean back. It was really hard.

In conclusion I think the programme was a fun learning experience for everyone and I feel a lot more confident in the water now.

**Nathan**

Swim Safety

I was with my group and we were just going to our next activity. I was really excited when we got there. The life guard gave us our life jackets then told us to all to try to fit in the boat, it was really hard. I couldn't fit so I had to stick my feet out of the boat and sit on the very edge. I nearly fell out. Then the life guard told us to hop out of the boat and jump into the water. The water was very cold. Next we had to get into groups of three. After that we went group by group into the boat again. We paddled to the end of the pool and back. Later the life guard flipped over the boat and we had to go under. While we were under it the life guard showed us a hole in the boat. The hole in the boat is for if the boat tips over, there is still some air. At the end the life guard told us to take off our jacket and go to our next activity.

**Sean**

Swim Safety

On Wednesday the 23rd of February room 16 and 18 went on the bus to Mt Albert wave pools for swim safety to learn how to be safe in the water. My favourite activity was with the life jackets.

First, we put on our life jackets so we could float better, then we practiced taking off the life jackets and putting them back on in a special way, first on and then in the water. I found that putting them on in the water was fun because you floated while you were doing it. Afterwards we got to swim with the life jackets on then we went back up so we could jump off the ledge into the water. At first I thought it would be scary but it was really fun. The first time we jumped in to the two metre high water, the second time we jumped in, we jumped in and huddled together and the third time we jumped in, we jumped into the waves.

It was really fun and I was proud that I conquered my fears about jumping off the ledge. I learned lots and really enjoyed myself.

**Kylie**

On Wednesday the 16th of February room 16 went to the Mt Albert wave pools with room 18. We went by bus and we went there to learn how to survive at sea and to have some fun. My favourite activity was swimming in clothes. First we had to put our clothes on, and then we got sprayed with a hose. Then we practiced taking our wet clothes on and off. Soon it was time to hop into the pool. We had to swim four lengths of the pool freestyle or if you couldn't do freestyle you could do breast stroke and if you couldn't do that you got to float on your back for four lengths of the pool. I ended up doing breast stroke. We also had to take our clothes off in the water. I found this really weird. It was harder taking them off in the water than on the ground and even harder for me because I had short jeans on and the button was really hard to undo. Then we were told not to swim with clothes on because it is dangerous.

I think it was an interesting experience because you got to see how hard it is to swim with clothes on and learnt how to survive at sea.

**Ethan**

Survival at Sea

On Wednesday the 16th of February room 16 and 18 went to Mt Albert aquatic centre to learn how to survive in the water. We went to a variety of different activities to teach us different skills.

One of the activities was survival at sea. The first part of the activity was putting our life jacket on which to me seems pretty easy until the second part. Then what we had to do was again just put on our life jacket by putting our arm through it and rolling into it. But it was challenging. 'Don't tell me we have to do it in the water now?" I asked hoping for the best possible answer, but I didn't get what I wanted. 'Yes, we are doing it in the water now' said the instructor. Oh no I thought as I imagined myself struggling to get my life jacket on. As we hopped I was reminded of the cold of my previous activity. To be honest I actually found it was easier in the water than on land. After that really we were just swimming back and forth in a group. Then came the huddling in a group like back at boating. It was much easier than boating because you could touch the ground. After that the 2 metre jump. We weren't allowed to do any fancy jumping, just a pin drop. We did it in the flat water first which almost all you had to do was walk off the ledge into the water. Jumping into the waves was also easy although I wanted to give myself a challenge and time the jump into the wave. 3, 2, 1 'Here I go' I say as I hit the water hard.

Wow! That was an amazing experience. I wish I could go again, wait! I've got swimming on Monday and it's right here.

**Thomas**

The Pools

On Wednesday 16th of February rooms 16 and 18 went to Mt Albert Aquatic Centre. My favourite activity was safe boating which we did to learn how to be safe in boats.

Firstly we put on our life jackets, it was hard for me to get it on because I'm quite small and it took a bit of time getting it tight enough! Next we got lectured about what we need to do to stay safe in a boat. After that we all had to squeeze onto a little dinghy on the edge of the pool. It was hard but eventually we all got on. Then we all sat on the side of the pool and took turns hopping into the water and swimming to the platform. It was really cold. Soon after that we got into groups and had turns working together to paddle the boat to the lane ropes. It was hard working together because we had to turn it and tilt it. Then we paddled back which was easier because we had done it all before. Next we got off and Rebecca and one of the parents briefed us on how to huddle up and keep warm in the water. When we got back in the water and tried it out it was successful and we were getting warmer already. After that we climbed all the way back onto the boat and fell off backwards - splash! Then the caregiver turned the boat upside down and we had turns going underneath. It was really dark under there. Next we all climbed onto the bottom of the boat but unfortunately I couldn't get on and by the time we were all getting off the boat I still wasn't on but after that I got to flip the boat back upright so that made up for it.

Overall I enjoyed the activity and I felt I learnt enough.

**Freya**

Life Jacket Safety

On Wednesday the 16th of February rooms 16 and 18 went on a trip to Mt Albert wave pools to learn about water safety. When we got there we went in our groups to the stations. We would rotate until everyone had been to every station. The station I'm going to tell you about is the one where we learnt about life jacket safety.

So, we learnt how to put our lifejackets on while lying down. It was a bit difficult but reasonably easy.

Afterwards, we jumped in with the life jackets on, swam back and lined up again. It was quite fun swimming back with our life jackets on.

Next, we jumped in again but this time with the waves on. It was a bit scary but super fun. When we had jumped in, we made a pod, which is when you huddle together and keep your knees up.

In my opinion, that was a great day and it was good fun.

**Zoe** **Deep Water Safety** On Wednesday 16th rooms 16 and 18 went to Mt Albert Aquatic Centre for water safety. I was kind of nervous because I haven’t done this before so I didn’t know what to expect. When I got to my first activity I was still a little bit nervous. Okay really nervous. After our team talk we were ready to start. First of all we had to put on our life jackets the hard way. My instructor demonstrated then we have to do it. We had to lie down like we were in the water, cross out arms over, roll over and stick our other in. It looked so simple when our instructor did it but when I did it I ended up fighting my life jacket. When I finally got my life jacket on we hoped in the pool. Then we had to take our life jacket back off (sigh) and try the same technique in the water. To me it was easier in the water than out and I only touched the bottom once. After we all managed to put our life jackets back on again we swam back and forth so we got a feel of what it was like swimming with our life jackets on. It was easier than I expected because all you have to do is kick and the life jacket does the rest. Although at the start I tried swimming freestyle all I got was a mouthful of water! Afterwards we got into our group, put out arms on each other’s waits and put out knees up while our instructor slowly pushed us from place to place all around the pool. I was kind of frightened that mine or someone next to me life jacket would break and we were too shocked to move and we all started drowning in the water that was awaiting us. Luckily that was just my imagination. Next we all got out of the pool with our lifejackets still on and lined up at the side of the pool to jump in. I knew it was only like a two metre jump but to me it looked like I was about to jump off Mt Everest but I really wanted to jump so I jumped. It turned out to be really fun so I did it two more times, then my instructor smiled and said “Now with the waves!” I was thinking “Is she serious?” I mean what if I smash against the side of the pool it would really hurt or what if I drown but then I did what teachers always tell us to do “Look on the bright side” so then I thought I could be missing out on a great opportunity. I jumped and it turned out to be really fun so I did it two more times. By then it was time to go to our next activity so we took off our life jackets and said thank you to our instructor. I really enjoyed the deep water safety activity. It was by far my favourite activity. That’s why I think school should do water safety again
 * Emily**

On Wednesday 16th of February CS16 and 18 went to Mt Albert Aquatic Centre for a water safety programme. There were five activities but my favourite activity and the one I will be talking about is the boating. At first I was nervous and scared but then very excited. The first thing we did was put on our life jackets, they were cold and slimy but also very comfortable. You must need a life jacket if your boat tips over and you want to survive. The second thing we did, we hopped into the water and split into groups of four and what we did was that the captain would climb on the boat and pull the rest of the crew up onto the boat. We paddled to the white, blue and yellow lane rope and back! The third thing we did was learning how to group huddle so we got out of the water and we huddled together while crossing our legs after that we tried it in the water. Now I know how to group huddle so that I can survive. Soon after we flipped the boat over and we climbed on top and then we dived off and we swam to the platform. That was one of my favourite activities in boating. Next we left the boat upside down and we went underneath it, we pulled out a plug that’s called a bung and a bung is a type of a plug that you pull out when your boat has tipped over so that you can breathe. Lastly we learnt how to tip the boat back over if it had capsized, it was quite hard. You have to grip your feet onto the boat and toss a rope over the boat, turn the boat around and then pull as hard as you can to flip it over (it’s harder than it seems). Boating was really fun and the experience was awesome and in the end I felt good and really tired, it was one of my favourite swimming programmes and I would love to do it again.
 * Sea Safety on a Boat**
 * Lilly**



Safety at Sea **

Me and my group have decided that we would talk to you about diving. What we did first – we put on our life jackets. Then we took off our life jackets. Then we put them on again. After that we jumped off the ledge (scary), then we had to swim to shore then walk back and forwards (hard) then wait in line. Suddenly we jump in the water with the waves. It was fun!
 * Julius**

**Safety at Sea**

On Wednesday February 16 2011 Room 16 and 18 went to Mt Albert wave pools to learn how to survive at sea. I’m going to tell you my favourite activity. The boat, the first thing we did on the boat activity was learn how to put a lifejacket on. By putting one arm through one strap and your other arm through the other strap. After we did that we jumped into the water and it was really cold. It was like being trapped in a chilli bin with extra ice. Next we swam out to the deeper end of the pool and we got chosen 4 at a time. The first person got in the boat and they helped the other people in by grabbing the shoulder strap on the life jacket. And we all got to paddle to the end of the pool and back with our hands. Afterwards, we flipped the boat round and we climbed on top of the boat and we slipped off the boat because it was amazingly slippery. And so after that we got out of the water, and we took out lifejackets off. And then we sat in our seats and we had a quick snack. After we had something to eat we got a lecture form the safety guiders why to never wear clothes in the water, we got changed. And after wards we went home and sadly had more school work to do.


 * Harper**