Today LIWA Aquatics proudly hosted a 20th Anniversary event for the Watch Around Water program, celebrating two decades of its life-saving legacy. Held in collaboration with Royal Life Saving WA, the event held at Beatty Park brought together over fifty professionals from the aquatic industry to reflect on the program’s impact and renew the commitment to water safety as we head into another busy summer season.

Launched in 2004, Watch Around Water emerged as a response to preventable drowning tragedies. Its simple yet crucial guidelines—keeping children under 5 years within arm’s reach and actively supervising those under 10 years—have since become a national benchmark for water safety. This milestone anniversary served as a poignant reminder of the program’s enduring mission: fostering a shared responsibility between parents and lifeguards to keep public pools safe.

During the event, LIWA Aquatics President Dan Barber highlighted the program’s transformative influence on the aquatic industry. “Watch Around Water exemplifies what we can achieve when the industry unites for a common cause. Beyond reducing drowning incidents, it has created a culture of vigilance and shared accountability, saving countless lives while enhancing the safety measures in our facilities,” Barber remarked.

The gathering also featured heartfelt testimonials and discussions on how to address emerging challenges. With mobile devices and other distractions increasingly prevalent, the call to action is clear: parents must stay engaged and proactive in supervising their children at all times.

As families prepare to flock to pools this summer, LIWA Aquatics and Royal Life Saving WA urge everyone to embrace the Watch Around Water guidelines. This celebration of 20 years serves not only to honor past achievements but also to reinforce the commitment to safeguarding future generations. Together, we can ensure our pools remain places of fun, memories, and, most importantly, safety.

Learn more about the Watch Around Water program below.