World Aquatics Day was celebrated at Fua’amotu Beach by residents of Pelehake Village with a barbeque after completing a six-week Learn to Swim Program, which also trained five swimming teachers under the same program.

The program was organized by the Tonga Swimming and Aquatics Association (TSAA) supported by the Australian funded Pacific Sports Partnership.

TSAA President, James Panuve said the association "wants all Tongans to be able to enjoy and stay safe in our beautiful oceans, whether they want to go to the Olympics one day or just cool off in the summer”.

"I am excited that there are now even more teachers trained to pass this gift to future generations of Tongans.”

TSAA has been promoting water safety and training swim teachers in villages around Tongatapu over the past year.

TSAA Swimming Officer, Ms Mele Taunisila stressed the importance of learning to swim drownings occur in Tonga every year.

“It is so important for all children to learn how to swim and enjoy the water safely.”

She said it was a pleasure watching teachers “go from learning to be confident in the water themselves” to leading swim training for children in Pelehake Village.

“Everyone is really loving the water now!”