Rob Hewitt recently visited Manaia View School to talk to the year 7 and 8 students on boat safety and his own survival experience in the sea. Manaia View School currently have the portable pool and are learning water safety and swimming skills this term so who better to learn from about a real life experience than Rob.

In 2006 Rob was stranded at sea for four days after he was separated from his dive boat off the coast of Wellington. A trained navy diver, Rob was forced to tread water for this time fighting for his life hoping he would be rescued. He eventually was, and on the brink of death however his knowledge and training saved him.

Since his ordeal at sea, Rob has been become an educator of water safety across New Zealand sharing his story of survival along the way.  He’s an instructor for Coastguard New Zealand with their Day Skipper Courses and is actively involved with Water Safety New Zealand and AUSTSWIM Aotearoa in their education programmes with special interest in Boat Safety and Maori Water Safety. 

Rob stressed the importance to the students on knowing the H.E.L.P position (Heat, Escape, Lessening, Position) which saved his life and with the portable pool on site this term the students can practice this skill in the water.  Rob’s words captivated the students and hopefully will give them some valuable water safety tips for the future.  In Rob’s words “Kia Moana, kia ora” – Stay Afloat, Stay Alive.

The students performed a haka in appreciation for Rob’s korero reciprocated to all students ending with hongi.