Geelong pools introduce new water safety measures

January 9, 2020

The City of Greater Geelong has stepped up its water safety measures for summer, embracing a number of recommendations from Life Saving Victoria, including more training for lifeguards, new uniforms and identification wristbands for young swimmers.

It comes after more than two million people accessed the council's aquatic centres in the 2018/19 financial year.

This season there are more than 190 lifeguards working across Geelong's six community pools, including Leisurelink, which was awarded a Royal Life Saving Australia national aquatic safety award in 2018.

The lifeguard apparel at each facility are easily recognisable red and yellow uniforms, like those worn by lifesavers at Australian beaches.

Lifeguards are also completing more compulsory testing, including four in-house training sessions and qualification updates each year.

To help with increased supervision efforts, the City has adopted the Watch Around Water program.

The educational initiative, developed by LIWA Aquatics and Royal Life Saving - WA and adopted by Life Saving Victoria in 2011, encourages parents or guardians to remain within arm’s reach of children under five.

In addition, children aged between five and nine must wear a yellow wristband issued from reception staff.

For more information about the City’s swim sport and leisure facilities, including summer opening hours, visit geelongaustralia.com.au/ssl

Image: Lifeguard Ned Combridge, Geelong Mayor Stephanie Asher and lifeguard Bill Strachan at the Bellarine Aquatic and Sports Centre.

Article amended 7.35am 10th January to include Royal Life Saving - WA and LIWA Aquatics' development of Watch Around Water.

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26th November 2019 - Life Saving Victoria launches new SwimSafe safety campaign for public pools

18th November 2019 - 2019 Life Saving Victoria Pool Safety Summit sees launch of State of the Sector report

12th June 2019 - Life Saving Victoria activates new Public Pools Register

22nd February 2019 - AquaPulse earns Platinum Pool accreditation from Life Saving Victoria

16th July 2019 - Orbost Outdoor Pool wins ARV Facility Management Award

9th July 2019 - Grant Connors moves from ARV to Belgravia Leisure

23rd November 2018 - Bellarine Aquatic and Sports Centre marks 10 years of operations

12th October 2018 - Life Saving Victoria’s Watch Around Water urges parents to put their down phones when at the pool

25th September 2018 - Adventure Park Geelong becomes Watch Around Water first

4th September 2018 - Geelong Leisurelink’s staff development initiatives awarded by Royal Life Saving

30th May 2018 - Geelong Council plans to phase out soft drinks at aquatic, recreation and sport centres

25th May 2018 - Aquatic playground popular at City of Geelong’s Splashdown facility

21st March 2018 - Design commences on Geelong Northern ARC hub

18th February 2018 - Demise of Geelong Waterworld’s waterslides a step toward Northern ARC Health and Wellbeing Hub

16th December 2016 - Watch Around Water gets season launch

2nd November 2013 - Geelong Leisurelink and Toowomba’s Willows Health win top national fitness awards

30th July 2013 - Aims to link Watch Around Water program with other anti-drowning initiatives

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