Safe use of our pools
Kiwa Pools is for our whole community. To keep everyone safe and healthy we have rules about supervising children, good hygiene and staying home if you're unwell.
We also expect respectful behaviour at all times towards our staff, other visitors and the facilities.
Kiwa Pool rules
Kiwa Pools is a smoke-free, vape-free and alcohol-free complex. To keep our facilities safe, welcoming and family-friendly please follow these rules when in and around Kiwa Pools:
✅ General conduct
- smoking or vaping is not permitted anywhere in the complex
- no alcohol permitted in the complex
- gang-related clothing, symbols or patches are not permitted
- respectful behaviour is expected at all times towards staff, other visitors and our facilities
- shower and use the bathroom before swimming
- children under 3 must wear a swim nappy
- check the water depth before entering the pools - depths may vary
- report any pool accidents to lifeguards immediately
- use rubbish bins - no littering
- always follow lifeguards' directions - they are trained to keep everyone safe
❌What's not allowed
- no swimming if unwell or recently ill
- avoid alcohol or drugs before swimming
- no rough play, running or pushing in or around our pools
- no diving without proper supervision or experience or lifeguard permission
- no prolonged breath-holding or underwater swimming, especially after hyperventilating
- no glass bottles or glass items
- no eating food in the pool areas
- no taking photos without permission
You may be asked to leave Kiwa Pools if you refuse to follow lifeguard instructions, or your behaviour threatens the safety or enjoyment of yourself or others.
Adult-to-child ratios
To keep children safe in our aquatic facilities, we have adult-to-child supervision ratios. These ratios set the maximum number of children one adult can actively supervise in the water.
- If your group does not meet the required ratio, you will not be able to enter the complex until it's met.
- Any additional children require an extra caregiver aged 16 years or older.
Actively supervising means staying focused on your children at all times, please:
- keep your phone away - watching children closely without distractions
- stay in the same pool area as your children.
It is your responsibility to look after your children at all times.
Supervision requirements and wristbands
| Age group | Wristband | Supervision requirement | Adult-to-child ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 4 years | 🔴Pink | Adult/caregiver (16+) must be in the water and within arm's reach at all times | 1 adult : up to 2 children under 4, OR 1 adult : 1 child under 4 and up to 2 children aged 5-7 |
| 5-7 years | 🟠Orange | Adult/caregiver (16+) must be actively supervising - watching, ready to help and close enough to hear and respond. | 1 adult : up to 4 children aged 5-7 |
| 8-11 years | 🟡Yellow | Adult/caregiver (16+) must remain within the complex at all times | No set ratio, but caregiver presence required. |
To help our lifeguards easily identify children's ages, wristbands are provided at reception when you arrive. Adults get a pink or orange band too.
Safe and suitable swimwear
✅ Acceptable clothing in the pool
- swimsuits - one-piece or bikini/tankini
- shorts ending above the knee
- rash shirt
- modesty wear
- swim nappy - compulsory for children under 3
- swim briefs
❌ Clothing that's unacceptable in the pool
- denim or cotton clothing
- loose-fitting clothing
- underwear of any kind
- standard or disposable nappies
Q&As on the rules and policy
Answers to some of the frequently asked questions
Wristbands help our staff quickly identify your child's age and confirm that a caregiver is supervising them.
They also allow us to safely manage numbers in the pool, especially during busy times, large group visits and for hydro slide users.
Active supervision means staying fully focused on your children at all times and being able to provide immediate help.
You must be close enough to see your child, your child sees you and you can hear and respond to each other.
For children 4 years and under, active supervision means being in the water with them and within arms reach at all times.
Active supervision does not include looking at your mobile phone, being in another pool, getting caught up in conversations or being in the changing room or toilet.
If you need to leave the pool side, even briefly - your children must hop out of the water until you return.
No. Active supervision means keeping your full attention on your child and always having a clear view of them.
Reading, using your phone or sitting with a coffee away from the pool can easily district you.
You're welcome to grab a coffee as long as your child comes with you.
Being in the pool with your child is more fun, confident and positive experience for them.
It also keeps them safest. To stay within arm's reach , which is essential for under 4s - you need to be in the water, not watching from the side.
Adults receive a wristband too so our staff know which caregivers must stay within arm's reach of a child.
When you're not in the water, it's easy to become distracted and lose sight of your child, even for a moment.
Young children are still developing their balance and the movement of the water can make them unsteady, increasing the chance of slipping or falling. Being in the pool with them means you can support them, respond quickly and share the experience together.
Even confident swimmers need active supervision. Being a good swimmer doesn’t remove other risks in the pool area such as rough play, risk-taking or unexpected behaviour from other children.
Our rules apply to everyone so they're clear, consistent and fair. We follow PoolSafe accreditation guidelines to keep all swimmers safe in what is considered a high-risk environment.
It's great that your child is confident in the water - that comes from the time you've spent helping them learn. But because we have a wide range of ages and abilities using the pools, we need simple, consistent supervision rules to make sure the environment stays safe for everyone.
Our staff will always try to educate and support pool users first. However, if children are not accompanied by a suitable caregiver, they won’t be allowed in the water.
If there is continued ongoing failure to follow our policies, you may be asked to leave the complex for the safety of your children and other pool users.
Compliance
Breaches of rules may result in staff requesting your full name and address.
Staff may call police or issue trespass notices for any breach of rules or unlawful activity.
Entry may be refused for inappropriate dress or behaviour.