Children Showcase Aquatic Skills in the Pilbara

Highlights from the Pilbara Spirit Swimming and Lifesaving Carnival at the South Hedland Aquatic Centre. Credit: Royal Life Saving WA.

Royal Life Saving WA hosted its seventh Annual Pilbara Spirit Swimming and Lifesaving Carnival at the South Hedland Aquatic Centre at beginning of November 2021.

Part of the two-day Pilbara Aquatic Festival, supported by funding from Principal Community Partner BHP, the Carnival saw children and adults take part in a variety of activities including pool lifesaving development sessions for children and swim instructors.

Beyond the fun side of the event, Royal Life Saving WA uses the Carnival to make advance drowning prevention initiatives among Aboriginal children in regional Western Australia - with the Carnival giving children an opportunity to get together and showcase the swimming and lifesaving skills they have learnt throughout the year via the Swim and Survive and Swim for Fruit programs, which are supported by BHP, Healthway, and the Western Australian Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries.

Advising that the event is more than just your average school swimming carnival, Royal Life Saving WA Pilbara Development Officer, Lauren Thompson comments “the children will take part in the usual swimming races, but also traditional boat races and lifesaving activities, along with having an opportunity to try water polo and artistic swimming. Importantly they will also be able to meet and interact with children from other communities in the Pilbara, it’s a real coming together to have fun experience. To round out the carnival the participants will be treated to a special lunch.

“The wide range of activities involved has made the Spirit Carnival extremely popular with schools across the region.”