Kids get active at Geraldton Aquarena

Children in Geraldton have learned vital swimming and lifesaving skills while enjoying healthy treats as part of the Go for 2 & 5 Regional and Remote Aboriginal Communities Swimming Program (Swim for Fruit) at Geraldton Aquarena throughout Term 4.

The program, funded by Healthway, is incentive-based and sees children rewarded for their swimming efforts by receiving a healthy afternoon tea following each session. Those achieving a prescribed amount of laps or respectful participation are also eligible to earn incentive prizes including Go for 2&5 plates, tote bags and Swim and Survive packs.

Hovea from Geraldton Aquarena says the program was particularly well received this term. "We run Swim for Fruit every Wednesday during Term 1 and 4 of the year, and in the term just gone there were 40 kids taking part in total, with between 10 and 25 turning up each week."

Swim for Fruit is not just about learning to swim, as Hovea explains. "Each week the swimming instructors run a 30 minute lesson where kids participate in not only swimming technique but also rescue and resuscitation, safety knowledge and games such as relay races or marco polo. After the lesson a few children are selected as award winners for showing respect, active participation and good behaviour, in addition to the plate of seasonal fruit the kids to feast on afterwards."

Royal Life Saving WA is thankful to Healthway for providing funding for this vital program, and also to Geraldton Aquarena, an Endorsed Royal Life Saving Swim School, for actively promoting the program in their local community. Hovea says Swim for Frui really makes a difference to children in Geraldton, a coastal town with ready access to water for recreation. "The program provides children with the opportunity to participate in an activity they not only enjoy, but that is necessary for the water based environment the children live in."

You can learn more about Royal Life Saving's program in at-risk communities across WA at the link below.