.png)
.png)
SWIMMING AND LIFESAVING
Active Adults
Are you ready to enjoy the water?
.png)
Active Adults
Program Background
The Royal Life Saving NSW Active Adults Program is designed to support adults of all ages and abilities to build confidence, capability, and safety in and around water. Recognising that many adults have had limited access to swimming and water safety education, the program provides a supportive and inclusive pathway to develop essential skills while promoting lifelong participation in aquatic activity.
The program responds to key community needs including increased physical activity, improved water confidence, and reduced drowning risk among adult populations. Delivered through trained instructors and partner organisations, it offers a flexible and adaptable framework that supports diverse communities, including culturally and linguistically diverse participants and those returning to the water.
Active Adults
Benefits of Active Adults
Participants and partner organisations enjoy multiple benefits:
Trusted, nationally recognised program for adult swimming and water safety.
Provides structured session plans, progression pathways, and assessment tools.
Supports safe and consistent delivery through instructor training and program guidance.
Enhances health and wellbeing through low-impact, accessible aquatic activity.
Builds confidence and independence in aquatic environments.
Includes adaptable resources to support participants with diverse needs and abilities.
Strengthens community engagement and promotes lifelong participation in swimming.
FLEXIBLE DELIVERY
A program that works in different places.
Our programs can support structured programs at aquatic facilities, swim schools, schools and community settings.
Structured Group Programs
Structured Group Programs provide older adults with regular opportunities to remain active, build confidence and participate socially in aquatic activities. Delivered by qualified exercise or aquatic staff through organisations such as aquatic facilities and retirement villages, programs can run during school terms or continue throughout the year.
Participants can:
Improve strength, mobility and balance
Build confidence in and around water
Participate in guided aquatic activities
Develop practical water-safety knowledge
Exercise at an appropriate pace and intensity
Work towards personal health and activity goals
Establish a regular physical-activity routine
Connect with other participants
Enjoy safe and supported aquatic recreation
Organisations can offer multiple activity sessions each week or develop a schedule suited to their community. Activities can be adapted to participant ability, available facilities and the support provided by appropriately qualified staff.
Guided Excursions
Guided Excursions give older adults an opportunity to safely experience different waterways and recreational activities as part of an organised group. Excursions may visit locations such as rivers, lakes, beaches or dams and introduce activities suited to each environment, including kayaking, walking and water-safety experiences.
Participants can:
Explore different aquatic environments
Learn about local hazards and conditions
Participate in supported recreational activities
Develop confidence around natural waterways
Practise planning for safer aquatic outings
Learn about suitable clothing and equipment
Build awareness of personal abilities and limitations
Connect with others through shared experiences
Discover new ways to remain active
Excursions may be offered as individual activities or as a regular program visiting a different location each month. Each activity should be planned for the environment, participant needs, weather conditions and available supervision.
Self-Paced Activities
Self-Paced Activities allow older adults to access water-safety information and participate in suitable activities at a time and place that works for them. Partner organisations can share activity cards, practical resources and videos with residents, members or customers who are capable of participating independently.
Participants can:
Select activities suited to their interests
Participate at a comfortable pace
Build movement into their regular routine
Develop practical water-safety knowledge
Learn through activity cards and videos
Explore suitable aquatic recreation options
Set personal participation goals
Repeat activities as confidence develops
Remain active independently or with others
Resources provide a flexible starting point for independent participation but should be used with consideration of personal health, ability and the activity environment. Participants should seek support where an activity requires supervision or specialist instruction.