To teach water safety skills

summer’s drowning statistics.

Over the Christmas and New Year holiday period, 14 people drowned, the highest number in 40 years.

‘‘What we are doing is training more teachers as we adapt to this community need,’’ Taylor said.

‘‘We take a lot of pride in the service we provide to the community, and it’s important that our swim teachers are well-trained and qualified. This process takes time,’’ she said.

For the past five years, the centre had an average of 20 instructors per term.

‘‘We live on islands, and it is critical that children access and receive water safety instruction.

‘‘Our aim is to have no child in Marlborough missing out in water safety tuition.’’