Young swimmers from across the Pilbara had more reasons to celebrate this year with the Pilbara Spirit Swimming & Lifesaving Carnival reaching its 10-year milestone!

Each year, students come together to participate in swimming races, lifesaving exercises, and a variety of aquatic sports, learning vital water safety and rescue skills while engaging in friendly competition with other schools.

Trent Hotchkin, Royal Life Saving’s Senior Manager for Swimming and Water Safety, expressed pride in reaching this 10-year milestone.

"In regional WA, where drowning risks are nearly double those in Perth, the Spirit Carnival has become a beacon of safety and community," he noted.

"It’s inspiring to see these young swimmers to come together and participate in a range of fun and interactive activities to create the next wave of local community lifesavers.”

Hosted at the South Hedland Aquatic Centre, the day was filled with excitement as the kids took on activities like tube relays, an aquatic obstacle course, lifejacket drills, and even kayak paddling!

BHP is a proud supporter of the carnival, and recently celebrated 20 years of partnership with Royal Life Saving to bring essential water safety programs to remote and Aboriginal communities.

Meath Hammond, Head of WA Corporate Affairs for BHP, reflected on this partnership, “We’ve been working together for more than two decades to deliver vital swimming, water safety and lifesaving programs to regional and remote communities.”

“We’re proud to be helping develop swimming skills and creating safer aquatic places for the kids of the Pilbara.”

Also supporting the event were students from the Talent Pool program, an initiative focused on supporting and training Aboriginal youth in regional Western Australia to become lifeguards, swim teachers, and pool managers.

After ten incredible years, the Spirit Carnival has become a wonderful opportunity to bring the community together to celebrate water safety, local spirit, and a shared love of the water.