Carnival goals boost Yandeyarra Swim for Fruit program

Children from the remote Aboriginal community of Yandeyarra launched into their latest Swim for Fruit season with enthusiasm, with the goal of the Pilbara Spirit Carnival spurring them on at each session!

The Go For 2&5 Regional and Remote Aboriginal Communities Swimming Program (or Swim for Fruit) is an after school and weekend lap swimming program supported in the Pilbara by Healthway and Principal Community Partner BHP. The program is an expansion of the school-based Swim and Survive program, additionally encouraging healthy eating by providing an afternoon tea of fresh fruit after each session.

Yandeyarra children attend Swim for Fruit sessions at the Yandeyarra Remote Community Pool which is managed by Royal Life Saving WA. Pool Manager Sandy McKenzie says the children were excited to use their Swim for Fruit time this term to practise for the Pilbara Spirit Swimming and Lifesaving Carnival. 

The seventh annual Spirit Carnival was held on Saturday 11th November, with the Yandeyarra kids travelling to South Hedland Aquatic Centre to take part in the aquatic festival. Nine schools from across the Pilbara region were involved in this year’s carnival, with 100 children taking part in a variety of events.

Now in its seventh year, the carnival provides an opportunity for the kids to get together and showcase the swimming and lifesaving skills they have learned throughout the year via the Swim and Survive and Swim for Fruit programs.

The children took part in swimming races and lifesaving activities at the carnival, along with trying out water polo and artistic swimming. Sandy says the kids’ lap swimming during the Swim for Fruit sessions “definitely paid off, as they all swam really well at the event.” 

Well done to the ‘Yandy’ kids for their dedication to improving their swimming skills ahead of the carnival and for their wonderful efforts on carnival day. It looked like everyone had a lot of fun!