Budding eskimos- Right: Madison Rouget from Coldstream also got a paddle-on at Healesville’s outdoor pool.

By Kath Gannaway
OPENING young minds to new challenges is very much part of education today.
Students from local primary schools took to the not-so-rapid waters at Healesville outdoor pool in February as part of the Kayaking in a Pool Program run by Canoeing Victoria.
Students from Coldstream, Healesville, Wesburn, Don Valley, Silvan, Millwarra, Gladysdale, Hoddles Creek , Launching Place, Yarra Glen, Seville and Dixons Creek primary schools took to the water as part of the program which aims to build water confidence and introduce the students to a new sport in a safe environment.
Coldstream Primary School principal Peter Donaldson said the program, along with other activities such as archery, chess competitions, school productions and table tennis, exposed the children to sports and activities which were outside the mainstream.
“We can’t all be good at football, netball or basketball. These types of activities not only promote a healthy lifestyle and open children up to new experiences, they help build self-esteem,” Mr Donaldson said.
He said children who had done something at primary school and had some success at it were more likely to put up their hands to get involved when they move on to secondary school.
“They are less likely to give in to peer pressure that something is not cool, because they have already tried and enjoyed a particular activity,” he said.