Award Winning Pool Policy

Bay Venues’ new child supervision policy, aptly named Keep Me Safe, was recently awarded the Aquatic Innovation Award for 2021 at the Recreation Aotearoa Aquatics Awards.

Bay Venues’ Keep Me Safe child supervision policy was introduced in September 2020 across the organisations five Tauranga aquatic facilities; Baywave, Mount Hot Pools, Greerton Aquatic & Leisure Centre, Otumoetai Pool and Memorial Pool.

Bay Venues’ venues & programmes manager Tina Harris-Ririnui says the Keep Me Safe initiative came about after a critical incident involving a toddler occurred at the Mount Hot Pools in January 2020. ‘’This prompted us to review our pool supervision policy with the aim to reinforce that caregiver’s need to take more ownership of their child’s safety in and around water. Lifeguards watch over the masses, but it is up to caregivers to be their child’s personal lifeguard. We introduced a set of conditions to enhance the safety of all customers who enter our facility and in the first year we had a 38% reduction in water rescues.’’

However, the new supervision rules are not a ‘’Silver bullet’’ warns Harris-Ririnui. “Even with all the education and focus in this area, we still have regular instances of caregivers being distracted and taking their eyes off young children and before you know it, they are struggling under the water.

Water Safety New Zealand recorded 74 drownings in 2021, including eight from the Bay of Plenty. So, while it’s an honour to receive an award that recognises what we have done to increase children’s safety in and around our pools, we must always remain vigilant.’’

The implementation of the new supervision policy was communicated to customers using clever cardboard cut outs and decals at each pool, a colouring-in competition, print and digital marketing. Details of the supervision rules can be found at www.keepmesafe.co.nz.

The Recreation Aotearoa awards, which have been running since 1991, recognise excellence in the recreation sector. The Aquatic Innovation Award for 2021 was well contested with applications from ten other recreation providers including Wellington City Council and Australasian provider Belgravia Leisure.

Recreation Aotearoa Aquatics Programme Manager, Tracey Prince-Puketapu says, “the aquatics industry is an integral part of the country’s health and wellbeing, so it’s important for us to recognise the mahi of the people delivering these opportunities. We are really pleased with the outcomes of the 2021 awards and know that the communities of our respective winners will be proud.”