Teaching Kiwi kids how to be Rip & River Aware

Providing authentic, immersive and interactive simulated real-world education and training.

Rip currents are the most dangerous hazard swimmers face in New Zealand.

On average about 40% of drownings on NZ beaches are due to rip currents. Our research shows that a staggering 1 in 6 adults have been caught in a rip and whilst 60% managed to get out of the rip themselves, the other 40% needed rescuing or drowned. Rip currents are complicated, hard to understand and hard to spot. SLSNZ is therefore pleased to be part of the Rip & River aware education programme, which will not only teach people about rips but allow them to experience what it would be like to be caught in a rip and how to survive.

– Adam Wooler

Surf Life Saving New Zealand Chief Operations Officer

During the early stages of development, we are collaborating closely with the following organisations

We are proud to be working with the The University of Auckland Faculty of Engineering. Their expertise and knowledge with conceptualisation and preliminary modeling has been highly valuable.

We are grateful for Callaghan’s contribution to the computation of fluid modeling, and the overall analysis of the project to ensure we deliver highly successful outcomes.

Working with global consultants WSP has been invaluable. Their expertise in electrical design verification has added the quality assurance required to deliver a reliable, safe solution.

Our training and educational material will be developed in collaboration with Surf Life Saving New Zealand. Together we can help reduce the drowning statistics.

We are thankful for the contribution of Auckland Council in providing valuable support and assistance with facilities and infrastructure.

Why we care enough to take action

Drowning is a problem throughout Aotearoa New Zealand – on average, 110 people lose their lives every year.

Taking swims in the ocean, a river, or a lake is a particularly enjoyable part of living the Kiwi lifestyle. But unfortunately, drowning is the third leading cause of accidental death in our country, and the real tragedy is that most drownings are preventable.

“After reading about the drowning statistics in New Zealand, I felt a strong desire to help turn the tide on New Zealand’s drowning fatalities,” said Rip & River Aware inventor Karl Ross.

The Rip & River Aware training programme is designed to help Kiwi kids learn the necessary skills and awareness to navigate a strong rip or river current with confidence when the situation arises in a real life situation.

Now is the time to help as many young New Zealanders as possible to become water safe, so they can enjoy our beaches, rivers and lakes without risking their lives.

Introducing the Rip & River Aware Training Programme

The programme has two critical components – a tailored, immersive and interactive eLearning educational module and the Rip & River simulator – a fully mobile unit that can be used in school and public pool environments.

We believe that with our in-depth theoretical component and real-world

Rip & River simulator, we can empower the individual with the tools needed for a high chance of survival if caught in a strong rip or river current.

The programme will teach children a number of critical skills, including:

• The dynamics surrounding water currents and rips

• Rolling and turning in fast-moving water currents

• Moving through a rip or river current

• Swimming out of a fast-moving water current

• Swimming techniques in waves

Having the confidence to know the best escape strategy if caught in an ocean rip or river current can help Aotearoa New Zealand reduce its preventable drowning toll and make swimming in the ocean and rivers a more enjoyable experience.

If you are interested in investing in this project we’d love to hear from you.

Send us an email at info@ripandriveraware.co.nz