DROWNING DOWN: Eleven people drowned in New Zealand last month making a total of 20 over January and February. This is a significant decrease over last year's figure of 32 but Water Safety New Zealand's general manager, Matt Claridge said that the swimming skills of New Zealand were getting worse and that a number of recent incidents could have been avoided. “The research is clear” says Claridge, “It indicates New Zealand children's swimming skills are in a poor state. If this, coupled with the ongoing dismantling of learn to swim delivery through the school system continues, more incidents and deaths are inevitable.” Of the 11 people who drowned in February, five died swimming, with two in rivers and three in the sea