“There’s a huge demographic that relate to aqua aerobics, that’s young people and old people,” Lambton Pool’s aqua fitness instructor Hannah Hartley said. 

“It can be as high or low impact as you want.

“There’s something about being in the water that equalises people.” 

Ms Hartley has organised the pool’s participation in World Aquathon Day this Saturday. People are invited to join an aqua fitness class, or three, to raise money for the Cancer Council. 

Ms Hartley said the event was partly inspired by her mother, Susan Browne, who has been attending classes while undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer.

“She’s very motivated,” she said. 

“The support and friendship around the class for Mum has been amazing.”

Ms Hartley said she took a deep dive into the world of aqua fitness when she had children and was looking for an outlet to use the skills she gained working in the film and television industry. 

“Fitness is kind of what got me through the change of becoming a mum.

“I was wondering, ‘What could I do with my skill set? What needs a bit more oomph?’” she said. 

“Aqua aerobics was the ugly duckling of fitness for a long time. But because when you’re in the water you’re hydrostatic, your heart rate slows down a bit so you can push yourself that little harder.”

The Aquathon will feature live music and performances from synchronised swimmers. Participation in the Aquathon is $10, $25 for families, with classes running from 9am to noon.

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