The 2009/2010 season of the Watch Around Water Program was officially launched at the Beatty Park Leisure Centre on the 10^th of December.  This annual event is designed to re-focus the public's attention of the importance of parental and guardian supervision in public aquatic facilities.

The Executive Officer of LIWA Aquatics     welcomed guests and our industry partners the Royal Life Saving Society Western Australia (Inc) to event before introducing the President of LIWA Aquatics     Mr Jeff Fondacaro     to the lectern.  Jeff was able to provide some of the highlights of the program and its successful penetration into more that 75% of the Group One Facilities in Western Australia and what that means to the industry. 

 Jeff restated the aims of the program which included:

• To provide state-wide supervision standards and practices at public aquatic facilities throughout Western Australia
• Increase and improve lifeguard knowledge and skills
• Raise awareness of and provide knowledge to parents/guardians of what constitutes appropriate levels of supervision of young children
• Increase the proportion of parents/guardians who effectively supervise their children while at public aquatic facilities
• Reduce the incidence of drowning death, near-drowning incidents and associated injury at public aquatic facilities
• Contribute to safer environments at public aquatic facilities

 Jeff also raised the following points for consideration by industry personnel at the launch:

• 60 registered centres throughout the state (including 10 new facilities) - if all centres from last season re-register there will be 75 centres (almost ¾ of all WA pools)
• 100% registration within Perth metropolitan area - this means that no matter which pool a parent attends they will be receiving the same consistent safety message!
• All re-registering centres this year will receive an "It's your job too" pull up banner to enhance centre promotions and parental awareness of the message - all centres will have received a banner by the 2010 / 2011 season.
• Information resources are currently being translated into a number of languages to assist in education and awareness strategies.
• BHP Billiton (RLS Principal Community Partner) and has come on board as WAW sponsor.
• Since the introduction of the program we have seen NO drowning deaths involving young children in public pools in WA and feedback from managers indicates that they are starting to see an improvement in parental supervision since the introduction of the program!
• WA is really cementing itself as the leading aquatic and recreation industry group in Australia!
• Victoria has recently expanded the program and now has around 40 WAW centres in only its second year of running the program. We are now working with Victoria on a number of WAW projects to further develop the relationship between the states and also improve the program messages

Watch Around Water Patron Simon Beaumont

This is a great achievement so far - however the program will only be viewed as successful when we have 100% registration in WA.  Jeff thanked the delegates for attending and wished everyone a very Merry Xmas and a safe New Year.

Tony then introduced the new Patron of the Watch Around Water Program Mr Simon Beaumont.  Many of the delegates recognised Simon as he is a regular swimmer at many of the aquatic facilities across the metropolitan area.   Simon is also the presenter of the 6PR Morning Show aired each day from 8.30am - 12.00pm Monday to Friday.

Simon comes from a very strong recreation background and worked with a number of Local Governments before moving into the media around 10 years ago.  He has been an elite triathlete completing the Hawaiian Ironman and is in training for his 10th Rottnest Channel Swim in February next year!  As the father of 3 young children who all started lessons at 2 year of age and have all grown up around water the LIWA Aquatics     Board saw an approach to Simon as a great fit for our industry - someone to assist us champion the Watch Around Water mantra - which he has discussed many time on radio.

Simon indicated he was honoured to be involved and will do everything he can to champion the cause of the Watch Around Water through his media contacts and on-air.  He had interviewed Jeff that morning on-air and he indicated he would love to hear from lifeguards and pool managers about real life interventions which involve the more human side of our industry.  Simon will be a great advocate for LIWA Aquatics     and the Watch Around Water Program for many years to come.

Tony then thanked the delegates for attending and the 2009 / 2010 Launch of Water Around Water Program and wound the afternoon up.

LIWA Aquatics     Executive Officer Tony Head with Simon Beaumont