Watch Around Water

At Aquahub, Aquanation and Croydon Memorial Pool

To ensure adequate supervision of children in our facilities at all times, Maroondah Leisure follows the Watch Around Water policy. This policy ensures all members and patrons have a safe and enjoyable time in and around the water.

Watch Around Water is based on the premise that it is unrealistic to expect lifeguards to provide the constant and close supervision required for each young child at the pool at all times. Although lifeguards are present, the responsibility of supervision of children is primarily with parents/guardians.

Lifeguards and other Maroondah Leisure staff will provide an important safety feature, but they are not intended to, and cannot be expected to replace the close supervision of parents which is required for many children. Public awareness needs to ensure that adults in the community understand that supervision of children in the water must be direct, competent and alert.

Drowning is the leading cause of death in children under the age of 5 in Australia. Watch Around Water promotes consistent supervision policies that must be adhered to at all times at Maroondah Leisure's facilities.

Policies adopted at Aquahub, Aquanation and Croydon Memorial Pool

Children under 5

  • Will be issued a pink wrist band which must be worn at all times.
  • Will not be permitted entry without an appropriate parent/guardian.
  • Must be constantly supervised by an appropriate parent/guardian who is prepared to swim. Adequate supervision requires the parent/guardian to accompany the child in the water and remain within arm’s reach of the child at all times.
  • Groups/families will not be permitted entry where the number of parent/guardian’s supervising a group of children under five (5) years exceeds the ratio of 1:2.

  • Unsupervised children under five (5) years will be removed from the water.

 Children under 10

  • Will be issued a yellow wrist band which must be worn at all times.
  • Will not be permitted entry without an appropriate parent/guardian.
  • Must be constantly accompanied and supervised by an adult while in all areas of the facility.
  • Groups/families will not be permitted entry where the number of parent/guardian’s supervising a group of children under ten (10) years exceeds the ratio of 1:4.

 Additional information

  • A parent/guardian is regarded as a responsible individual who is sixteen years and over.
  • If a staff member is concerned for the safety of an unsupervised child, the child will be removed from the water. 
  • An unsupervised child regardless of age or ability will be removed from the water by a staff member. 
  • For children ten years and older, parents must use their knowledge of the child's swimming ability to determine the level of accompaniment required.

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