Kalumburu children jump into the new Swim for Fruit season

Children in the remote Kimberley community of Kalumburu have eagerly jumped back into the pool and are enjoying their healthy snacks in the new season of the Go for 2&5 Swim for Fruit program, with 200 participations already being recorded.  

In partnership with Healthway, Royal Life Saving WA has been delivering the Swim for Fruit program for over ten years. As an expansion of the school-based Swim and Survive program, Swim for Fruit aims to encourage swimming and survival skills and a healthy lifestyle in regional communities such as Kalumburu. Our remote Aboriginal Swimming Pool program is supported by the Department of Communities.

“The Swim for Fruit Program is all about having fun and enjoying a healthy snack after swimming laps in the pool,” Kalumburu Remote Pool Manager, Ryan Ingley said. 

Kalumburu is the most remote permanent settlement in Western Australia with a population of 412 people. With 91.4% of their community identifying as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, the Remote Pool in Kalumburu, in coordination with Pool Managers Ryan Ingley and Samantha Dalton, has been essential in providing health and social benefits. With remote areas embracing a No School, No Pool policy, communities such as Kalumburu have experienced benefits beyond increased physical activity levels including a marked increase in school attendance. 

The Swim for Fruit Program has been integral to building a healthier and safer Kalumburu, affording the opportunity for children to discover the fun that can be had in the pool whilst being educated in aquatic safety. With the new season of the program already off to a great start, we can’t wait to see what the children of Kalumburu achieve in the coming weeks!

To read more about the Swim for Fruit program, visit the link below: