Jigalong kids love swimming for fruit

What a summer it’s already been at Jigalong Remote Community Pool! More than 1,000 people each month – from children up to adults – have been using the pool regularly, with the kids loving the pool’s Swim for Fruit program.

The “Go for 2 and 5 Regional and Remote Aboriginal Communities Swimming Program” (or Swim for Fruit) encourages children to participate in aquatic physical activity with a healthy afternoon or morning tea as a reward. It’s part of Royal Life Saving WA's commitment to encouraging physical activity and promoting healthy lifestyles.

Swim for Fruit program is particularly important in Indigenous communities, as the drowning rate amongst Australian Aboriginal children is three times higher than other Australian children. By encouraging regional and remote kids to participate in aquatic-based sports such as water polo, competitive swimming, aqua aerobics and pool lifesaving, it’s hoped that these figures can be significantly lowered.

“Our Swim for Fruit program has been well received, with regular participants,” Jigalong Remote Community pool manager David Lucas says. “The kids certainly love the reward of healthy fruit after they've swum a few laps.

“It’s a wonderful concept because it promotes exercise and encourages healthy eating habits amongst the young indigenous here at Jigalong!”

The pool’s swimming lessons have also been well received, with good attendance and heaps of enthusiasm! “We will be resuming swim classes again towards the end of term one,” David adds.

Swim for Fruit is part of RLSSWA’s Aboriginal Communities Regional & Remote Swimming & Lifesaving Program, funded by Healthway.