New Zealand is a country of rivers, lakes and beaches - an ability to swim is essential.
In the pioneering days, New Zealand was considered a dangerous country because so many people drowned. It was commonplace over a century ago.
Over the last 30 years, Dunedin's JC Swim School has done its bit to keep New Zealanders safe by teaching thousands of people to swim.
These efforts were recognised at the New Zealand swim coaches and teachers annual conference in Wellington recently.
Aleisha Clarke (28) had the top spot to herself when she was named the swim teacher of the year.
The JC Swim School was named as one of the six outstanding swim schools in the country.
The Liz van Welie Swim School (Tauranga) was another of the six schools to be recognised. Van Welie is a former Otago international swimmer.
A third award to the JC Swim School went to Becky Oswald (20), who was named one of the four rookie swim teachers of the year.
Clarke, the daughter of JC Swim School founding director Jill Clarke, teaches adults to swim and her classes are always full. She is also in charge of Flipper Board training at Moana Pool.
It is the first time the JC Swim School has been recognised at the national awards.
''The awards have given us a lot of satisfaction,'' Jill Clarke said.
''It is not easy teaching swimming in Dunedin because of the lack of pool space.''
The peak times of the year are in the first and last school terms.
''During that time we teach between 400 and 500 children a day.''
During peak times, the school has 28 instructors teaching swimming at seven school pools. The headquarters is the Dunedin North Intermediate pool.
''I love working with the kids. It's a passion for me,'' Jill Clarke said.
''My reward is seeing what the kids can achieve.''
Jill Clarke is the daughter of the late Punch Tremaine, who was one of Otago's top swimming teachers and coaches.
Her own daughters - Stacey (37), Melissa (32), Kelly (34) and Aleisha - have all been involved in swimming. Stacey held New Zealand junior records, Kelly represented Otago and Melissa played water polo for New Zealand.
