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Water Safety

The Norwood Swimming Centre and Payneham Memorial Swimming Centre are Watch Around Water endorsed facilities, meaning there are guidelines that must be followed while visiting.

Water Safety imageStaying Safe

Face masks are not required in Council venues and facilities, however all community members are also encouraged to wear a mask. 

Please avoid attending any Council venues and facilities if you have any COVID-19 symptoms. While it is no longer mandatory, whenever you attend any Council venue physical distancing is strongly recommended and encouraged. 

Watch Around Water (WAW) Child Supervision Rules

Watch Around Water is an education and public awareness raising program that addresses the supervision of young children at public swimming pools.

For more information about the Watch Around Water program, visit: Life Saving SA - Watch Around Water

Conditions of entry

Parents and guardians of children are asked to observe and follow the conditions of entry below.

Pass outs will be issued and are eligible for a maximum of one hour.​

Children under 13 years of age must be accompanied by a responsible person over the age of 16 years.

Supervision of children under the age of 5 years

Children under the age of 5 years are not admitted into the centre without an appropriate fee paying adult who is prepared to swim.

Children under 5 years must be supervised and at arm’s reach at all times.

Maximum of two children under 5 years per responsible person.

Supervision of children under the age of 10 years

Children under 10 years must be directly supervised by a responsible person (16 years or over) at all times while the child is in the water.

Adults responsible for children under 10 years must have a clear view of the child at all times with no physical or structural barriers between them and the child while in the aquatics area.

Maximum of four children under 10 years per responsible person.

Unsupervised children

Unsupervised children will be removed from the water and placed in a safe area until collected by the parent/guardian.

A parent/guardian is regarded as a responsible individual who is over the age of 16.

Swimming Centre rules and guidelines

General rules

  • no running on concourses
  • no pushing
  • no flips / somersaults
  • no smoking
  • no swearing
  • diving only permitted from deep end of pool
  • no offensive behaviour
  • no unsafe conduct
  • patrons must wear appropriate swimwear
  • patrons must not dive into “shallow water”
  • patrons may not take large inflatables into the pools
  • no throwing objects to be used that may cause injury.


Conditions of entry

  • alcohol and glass not permitted into the swimming centre
  • persons affected by alcohol or drugs will not be permitted entry to the swimming centre
  • companion card holders must remain with their patient/child etc. at all times whist in the centre
  • pool management reserves the right to refuse entry to patrons who are deemed to pose a risk to other pool users, including patrons who have previously been ejected from the centre
  • children under 13 years of age must be accompanied by a responsible person over the age of 16 year.


Watch Around Water (WAW) Child Supervision Rules

Watch Around Water is an education and public awareness raising program that addresses the supervision of young children at public swimming pools.

The program assists aquatic staff to promote safe supervision practices and provides a safe venue for the community to participate in sport and recreation.

Program objectives:

  • prevent drowning deaths and drowning related injuries at public swimming pools
  • promote active parental supervision
  • assist aquatic staff to promote safe supervision practices
  • provide a safe aquatic venue for the community.

For more information about the Watch Around Water program, visit: Life Saving SA - Watch Around Water

Children under 5 years

  • children under the age of 5 years are not admitted into the centre without an appropriate fee paying adult who is prepared to swim.
  • children under 5 years must be supervised and at arm’s reach at all times.
  • maximum of two children under 5 years per responsible person. 

Children under 10 years

  • children under 10 years must be accompanied into the centre by a responsible adult over 16 years of age and supervised at all times.
  • adults responsible for children under 10 years must have a clear view of the child at all times with no physical or structural barriers between them and the child while in the aquatics area
  • maximum of four children under 10 years per responsible person.


Use of photographic devices

In line with Recreation SA Safe Environment Policy and commitment to providing a safe and enjoyable environment for children, vulnerable people and other patrons, all patrons must adhere to these conditions of entry regarding the use of photographic devices whilst visiting the Payneham Memorial and Norwood Swimming Centres.

  • photographic devices include: cameras, video cameras, mobile phones and any other device with the ability of capturing a still or moving image
  • all patrons are to be respectful to one another, which includes respecting the views of other parties
  • you must seek the management’s approval before taking any photos or video recordings
  • please be aware that when using photographic devices some patrons (in the background of images) may take offence to having their image caught on camera
  • when using photographic devices the activities should be localised to only willing participants who have allowed for their image to be captured
  • management reserves the right to view any images taken. refusal may result in the police being called to view these images and the police will then take appropriate action to address our concerns
  • management may hold on to any photographic device until the police arrive, if they suspect indecent filming at the payneham memorial swimming centre has occurred on that photographic device
  • if you are undertaking in what is deemed suspicious behaviour, management may contact police without prior warning
  • use of photographic devices in the change rooms can never be justified
  • some events, activities and programs at the centre may allow only one approved photographer. at such events no one else will be allowed to use a photographic devices.

Failure to follow these conditions of entry may result in:

  • you being removed or banned from the centre and / or
  • the police being contacted and / or
  • any cctv footage captured by our security system being made available to police.

Taking photos or recordings of someone without their consent may be considered failing to abide by these conditions of entry and could result in a breach of section 26d of the summary offences act 1953 for indecent filming. this attracts a maximum fine of $20,000 or 4 years imprisonment.