Kununurra families dive into water safety at local splash park

With the town’s swimming pool currently closed for renovations, Kununurra families were thrilled to access free water safety education through a special Infant Aquatics pilot program delivered at the local Splash Park. 

Held from 31 March to 4 April, the program was designed to introduce babies and toddlers to water in a safe, engaging environment while equipping parents with vital water safety knowledge.  

Delivered by Royal Life Saving WA Swimming Instructor Amanda, the sessions focused on water familiarisation skills such as exhaling in water, floating body position and safe behaviours in and around water. 

Designed for children aged three months to five years, the Infant Aquatics program introduced young participants to fundamental water safety skills in a supportive and engaging setting. These early experiences help build confidence in the water, setting a strong foundation for lifelong swimming ability. 

With the Kununurra pool expected to remain closed for the rest of the year, families have been left without access to traditional swimming lessons. This initiative provided a timely alternative, ensuring local children continue developing vital skills during this period. 

Aquatic facilities in regional and remote areas play a critical role in community wellbeing. In the Kimberley region, toddlers are the most at-risk age group when it comes to drowning, accounting for 32.6% of recorded incidents. Alarmingly, toddler drowning is 1.3 times more likely to occur in regional WA compared to the Perth metropolitan area. Programs like this one aim to address these risks by equipping families with the skills and knowledge needed to prevent drowning from an early age. 

The program also gave parents practical tips for bath time safety and ideas for encouraging water confidence at home. Parents appreciated the hands-on guidance from a qualified instructor, and many commented on the social benefits of the sessions. Among the participants were newly arrived residents, including the wife of a local police officer and doctors who had recently moved to the area. 

Parents were grateful for the opportunity to keep their toddlers engaged in water activities while the local pool remains closed. Many found the sessions helpful for learning how to build their children’s confidence in the water and appreciated the social aspect of the program, which provided a welcoming way to connect with other families in town. 

Supported by Lotterywest and the Shire of Wyndham-East Kimberley, the program highlights the value of bringing lifesaving swim education into regional communities, ensuring children have every opportunity to build the skills they need to stay safe around water. 

To learn more about the Infant Aquatics program, visit the link below.