Confusion leads to Auckland waterslide ban

Parents have been stopped from 'tandem' riding with their young children on waterslides (hydroslides) at Auckland aquatic centres.

The New Zealand Herald has reported that, as of last weekend, parents using the Mt Albert Aquatic Centre were told by lifeguards that their children could not use the slide because it was too dangerous for anyone under eight, even if they are sliding with an adult.

Centre Manager Paul Kite told the New Zealand Herald of confusion between a no-tandem rule from Auckland Regional Council's health and safety division and the aquatic industry standard of requiring children under five to be within arm's reach at all times.

Kite said five to eight-year-olds were allowed on the slide providing their parents or caregiver where at the bottom of the slide supervising them.

Kite stated, "it means, unfortunately, that mums and dads cannot go down the slide with their kids between their legs (and) under fives won't be allowed to go down on their own."

Council Recreation Facilities Manager Rob McGee told the New Zealand Herald that the rule against doubling up had been brought in at Council-run centres - West Wave, Massey Park and Lagoon Leisure and Fitness Centre in Panmure.

Non-council pools which have waterslides - at Parakai and Waiwera apparently insist all children under 8 are actively supervised by a caregiver.

The pool belongs to the Mt Albert Grammar Community Swimming Pool Trust and is operated by the aquatic and recreation facilities contractor Community Leisure Management (CLM), under the supervision of Auckland Regional Council.

Following a number of waterslide incidents in New Zealand, in 2010 CLM implemented its own new policy for their safe operation.

This can be viewed in the following news item: www.ausleisure.com.au/news/clm-introduces-waterslide-safety-policy

Image used for illustrative purposes only.

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