New research shows a surprising number of dads choosing to take their children to swimming lessons.
It's found more than a third of swim time with kids under three is now with their fathers.
Newshub met some dads who say it's the highlight of their week.
"You need to step up to the mark, you know, and it's fun," says father Matt McRandle. "Just go and enjoy it. I'd say to all dads - come out and just see the smiles on their faces."
Figures show 37 percent of swim time with kids under three is now with Dad or a male caregiver. That's a steady increase in a role once more common for mum to take up.
It's a pleasing sign for Water Safety New Zealand, with men making up the majority of drowning deaths.
"The other problem is that our youngsters, our toddlers under five years of age, are also a high-risk group, so this is a wonderful opportunity to get both groups into the water early as possible," says Dr Kevin Moran of WaterSafe.
Sixty-three New Zealanders have drowned already this year, with 49 of those deemed "preventable".
For these fathers, it's about making sure their children know what to do if they get into trouble.
"There's water all around us, and I'd like to know that one day this guy, if he did fall into the water or get into trouble, he could hopefully swim and be okay," says father Shane Lewis-Marshall.
According to Dr Moran there's no downside to taking the plunge.
"Irrespective of the safety messages and the safety awareness for yourselves as a dad, and for your child as a toddler, the sheer joy of being interactive in the water is a great thing."
And it's that sheer joy that keeps these dads coming back every week.
Newshub.
