Waterwise sessions allow children to learn how to sail an optimist, a yacht, a kayak and enjoy other fun water activities in a safe and supportive environment.

Sessions are run entirely by parent volunteers who have completed the Waterwise instructor training course. Each year, our school has the opportunity to train a few new instructors to replace those instructors who are moving on. The instructor course is run over a few weeks starting in August and you learn in a small group with parent trainees from other local schools. 

It does not matter if you don't have a child in Year6 yet - we're keen to recruit parents long before their child reaches Year 6. Without new recruits coming on board now, we may not have enough trained instructors when your child reaches Year 6. 

Sailing experience is not necessary as the course starts from scratch. You learn to sail exactly how the children learn, plus all the safety and instruction aspects, including patrol boat handling. In fact, if you've always wanted to learn how to sail, this is a great opportunity!

The only prerequisites, as an instructor, are the ability to swim, enthusiasm and commitment. Following certification, the expectation is that you can help each Friday between 11.30am and 3.00pm during terms one and two. 

For more information, please talk to any of the current DPS Instructors (Moya Cutts, Sonia Dupuch, Tanya Sorrell, Amanda French, Eric Ibarraran, Caroline Knowles, Tex Talbot, Gillian Weir, Dan Skelton, Nick van Hoppe or Dave Burrows). 

Course dates as follows:

Thursday 16th of August .         7pm - 9pm .         Introduction and            

                                                                                                    Clothing demo

Tuesday 21st August .                  9am - 3pm .          On water

Saturday 25th August .                9am - 3pm .          On water      

Tuesday 28th August .                 9am - 3pm .           On water     

Saturday 1st September .          9am - 3pm .           On water

Tuesday 4th September .           9am - 3pm .           On water

Saturday 8th September .          9am - 3pm .           On water

Tuesday 11th September .         9am - 3pm .           On water

Thursday 13th September.        9am - 3pm .           On water

Thursday 13th September.        7pm - 9pm .           On water

Exam date to be confirmed. 

You will need to be able to attend the introduction evening and at least the first three full days of the course. Attendance on the remaining days will be dependent on experience. 

The course fee is $50 which covers the cost of all course documentation and the much coveted yellow Waterwise cap!

If this sounds like you, please contact Dave Burrows (daveb@devonport.school.nz) as soon as possible. 

Course participants need to be confirmed by Friday 10th August.