High number of drownings in Samoa prompts outrigger school to do something a little different

Australia Broadcast Center

28-07-2025

Every Saturday morning at Maninoa on the south coast of Upolu, at least 50 children turn up religiously to learn the traditional sport of va'a — and how to swim.
Su'a Jay Ah Fook Schuster and his wife Tutasi, who started Alo Paopao Academy in Apia years ago, have taken the school across the island and are running a pilot program with village support.
"The kids are excited about it, and at the same time we try and teach them water awareness, because there's a big concern about the number of drownings that we have per month here in Samoa," Su'a said.
He said at least two people drowned every month, and it had become more of an issue over the past two decades.
"For the last three years, I found I wasn't really coaching paddling anymore," Su'a said.
This was when he began to take notice of the number of drownings.
"I was actually trying to convince people to go into the water and not be afraid … and that became a real concern."
The academy now has 75 children from the village and has support from parents.
"As part of the program, we sponsor 40 kids for schooling, so we pay their school fees, their uniforms and stationery, as well as their training," Su'a said.
There are plans to expand the program to include other nearby villages.