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A Taranaki teenager with Down Syndrome feared the water so much she refused to even enter the pool. Just months later, her mother has a problem of a different kind. After 20 weeks of lessons, she has trouble getting Helaina out of the water.

It鈥檚 the result of a programme run by New Plymouth鈥檚 Fulton Swim School where young people with Down Syndrome were offered lessons thanks to T奴 Manawa Active Aotearoa funding through Sport Taranaki.

The mother of 18-year-old Helaina still can鈥檛 believe the change in her daughter towards water.

鈥淪he looks forward to coming and her reaction says it all, she is so happy. There aren鈥檛 a lot of options for Down Syndrome kids to be active, so this is special, and the fact there is no cost to her is nice,鈥� she says.

The programme, which included a water safety component, was set up to provide a cost-free, safe, inclusive environment for young people like Helaina with Down Syndrome to engage in a physical activity.

Lessons in the swim school鈥檚 private facility were tailored according to ability in and around water, one group being for beginners and the other for more confident swimmers.

鈥淚t鈥檚 good to recognise that some people need more one-on-one attention to be able to learn, or a quieter space because they鈥檙e on the spectrum or they have Down Syndrome, so to be able to provide that environment and opportunities to young people who wouldn鈥檛 have otherwise had lessons is really, really cool,鈥� says Christina Davis, the swim school鈥檚 manager at the time.

 Christina saw Helaina鈥檚 transformation first-hand.

鈥淗elaina was super nervous, she didn鈥檛 want to get in at first, she spent all her time standing on the stairs, stomping her feet, but eventually she got her feet in the water and then her knees. Helaina and another girl love singing, so we used songs to teach them water skills and get them comfortable in the water.鈥�

Sport Taranaki鈥檚 Terry Long paid a visit to the pool to see the youngsters in action for himself.

鈥淚 have a soft spot when it comes to young people with challenges having an opportunity to express themselves without barriers,鈥� says Terry.

鈥淭his certainly delivered on kids having a quality experience while being active and learning new skills.

鈥淪eeing these young people have the opportunity to experience being active in an environment that is tailored to their needs, with no judgement and with providers who get just as much enjoyment as the participants is pretty special.

鈥淭he benefits from the programme are not only limited to being physically active but the social connection with others can鈥檛 be under estimated - the kids loved being in the water and their parents鈥� smiles said it all.鈥�

Now the 20 weeks of lessons are over, Helaina is continuing with private swimming lessons with a friend she met through the T奴 Manawa-funded programme.