Over 30 adults in Timaru have taken part in Cbay’s adult swimming lessons, the lessons are to ensure people feel safer in the water and reduce fatal drowning instances.

“I have seen people go from being afraid to get into the water, to submerging their head under and floating on their font with an aid by the end of the session,” CBAY Aquatic Education Coordinator Madison Bang said.

The driving force for CBAY to once again hold adult swimming lessons was seeing the drowning statistics in New Zealand over the past year and this summer.

In 2025 there was 78 drowning fatalities in New Zealand, 65 of those being men. From December 1 2025 to present there have been 28. These numbers do not include people who have been hospitalised in critical condition or rescued.

“I have been keeping an eye on the statistics for a few years now and the rise in drowning is concerning especially those who are males over the age of 25,” Madison said.

From left to right:  Vivian, Maatla, Mbe and Thandazile halfway through their six-day adult swimming class block course.

“We want to change that statistic and help adults feel more confident in and around the water and pass it on to the younger generations they surround themselves with. We also wanted to be able to provide the option for adults to come and try something now”.

34 people are participating in the 6-day adult block course which started Monday 26 and will finish on Saturday. People participating are in their 20s to 70s and from all walks of life.

“It’s really exciting to come together as a team and help people who are taking such a huge step in their lives and trusting us to help them become more confident, get over a lifelong fear, or gain knowledge on technical swimming and work towards improving distance etc.” Maddison said.

“The rate at which these adults have improved in just a short time is phenomenal. It goes to show there is no such thing as being too old, or not good enough. The hardest thing to do is take the first step.

“Any skills we can pass on to others to become more aware and increase confidence is paramount to us. Some participants may be wanting to gain stamina, and increase their swimming skills, while others may just want to be able to float on their back and be able to regain their feet for their own safety and enjoy the water with their children, grandchildren, family and friends.”

CBAY will be holding more adult swimming lesson blocks in the July school holidays.