Canterbury Rugby league is stepping up to help prevent drownings

The organisation is providing free swimming lessons to any eight year old registered with the club in terms two and three of this year.

CEO Malcolm Humm says Water Safety New Zealand stats show Maori and Pacifika are over-represented in preventable drownings.

He says with 75 percent of their player population of Maori or Pacific Island decent, they felt they had an obligation to support their tamariki when it comes to skill development and water knowledge.

The children will also get free swimming lessons as nine and then 10 year olds over the next two years, as the next groups come through.