Jigalong kids get in the swim ahead of summer

Royal Life Saving WA is determined to ensure all Western Australian children have a safe start in life, by giving them opportunities to take part in our Infant Aquatics swimming and water safety program. Despite recent improvements in drowning statistics for young children in our state, with zero toddlers losing their life to drowning during the 2019-20 financial year, it is still the leading cause of accidental death for children under the age of five over the longer term.

Royal Life Saving WA recently partnered with Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa (KJ) Rangers to provide Infant Aquatics lessons for dozens of toddlers at our Remote Aboriginal Swimming Pool in Jigalong. KJ Rangers is a Martu organisation that works to build strong, sustainable communities in the Pilbara region.

The Jigalong program was run by Deb Gill, Royal Life Saving WA’s Program Coordinator in the community, who taught these little ones and their parents vital swimming and water safety skills.

The Royal Life Saving Infant Aquatics program, supporterd by Principal Community Partner BHP, uses songs, games and activities to ensure children experience a variety of skills including entries, floating, breathing and movement, while also providing parents with essential education on how to keep their children safe around water at all times. 

Our Remote Aboriginal Swimming Pool program is made possible through support from the Department of Communities and BHP. You can read more about our remote pools at the link below.