18 February 2026
Infant Aquatics lessons make a big impact in Leinster
When opportunity knocks in a regional town, people answer! That's exactly what happened in Leinster this January when Royal Life Saving WA Swimming Instructor Lisa Teague Robertson delivered a series Infant Aquatics lessons for the local community.
With no permanent swim school in town due to a shortage of qualified instructors, opportunities to learn to swim in Leinster don’t come around often. When lessons are offered the community is quick to get involved and make the most of every session.
During the summer school holidays, five young children, starting from just six months of age, attended the Infant Aquatics program with their parents to build strong foundations in water safety and early swimming skills.
Throughout the week, children worked on safe entries, supported submersions, floating, responding to clear safety cues, and developing early independence in the water. At the same time parents learned practical techniques they could confidently continue using at home to support their child’s learning beyond lessons.
The sessions showed just how much can taught in a short time, with children picking up new skills each day and parents seeing real changes as the lessons progressed. The feedback from families showed just how valuable the program was, with several parents already asking when the lessons would be returning.
While in Leinster, Lisa also delivered lessons for older children and extended the program to include afternoon adult classes, recognising that it’s never too late to learn to swim. Although the classes were organised at short notice, one participant seized the opportunity.
Shashi had lived with a deep fear of water for more than two decades after a near drowning experience in India. While she ensured her children became strong swimmers, she had never entered the pool herself until this program gave her a safe and supportive space to face that fear head on.
The lessons focused on essential survival skills including survival breaststroke, vertical sculling, assisted back floats, signalling for help and gradual face immersion and glides. As the days progressed, she moved from feeling anxious to capable and confident in the water.
By the time Lisa’s visit came to an end, Shashi was independently practising in the shallow end of the pool and enjoying the water with her children, proving that you can overcome old fears when the right support is in place. 
“I am grateful for the opportunity the lessons provided not only for Shahshi, parents and children but for me to enhance my teaching skills for adults and infants,” shared Lisa.
“Classes have been very well received... Parent feedback was very positive, and I had several enquiries about future infant lessons from parents who had returned from school holidays.”
Programs like this strengthen skills, build confidence and ensure families in regional communities have access to vital water safety education close to home.
Royal Life Saving WA’s regional programs are proudly supported by our Principal Community Partner BHP.
