sail through their midterm break.

Expert instruction from Gus Miller, a former sailing coach of the US Olympic Team, saw the teachers brave the cold waters of Hamilton Harbour as they learned first hand how to capsize.

Education Minister Milton Scott visited the teachers during the first day of their two-day intensive training workshop.

Clint Smith, Education Officer in charge of physical education and athletics, explained that he will meet with Mr. Miller tomorrow to get advice on developing a comprehensive aquatics programme for the public schools.

Mr. Smith noted that a local curriculum was developed last year and that it was recently brought to his attention that it is similar to the one used in New Zealand.

"Why re-invent the wheel?'' he pointed out. "I will meet with Mr. Miller and tap into his expertise in Waterwise, the programme used in New Zealand.'' According to Mr. Miller, the aim of Waterwise is to introduce students to various marine activities without them having to be proficient in any one of them.

Students in the first instance are taught to swim, then they are given first aid and cardio-pulmonary resuscitation courses, and water safety before they move on to rowing canoes and kayaking.

In the Waterwise programme students also learn rules on the water, introductory navigation and lots of nautical terminology.

"The programme integrates science, nutrition, fitness and health with language and history,'' Mr. Miller noted.