In an island nation with easy access to water, opportunity for young New Zealanders to recreationally engage in aquatic activity abounds. While participation in aquatic activity is generally perceived as a positive indicator of a healthy lifestyle, it does have attendant negative consequences. Drowning as a consequence of aquatic activity is a significant cause of unintentional death among young New Zealanders. In spite of some evidence of the popularity of aquatic recreation, little is known about the nature of that recreation and its associated risk of drowning. It is the purpose ofthis chapter to ascertain what youth do in the aquatic environment and how their behaviour might exacerbate the risk of drowning inherent in water-based activities.