Discounted entry to a pool in a landlocked city on a 38-degree day was the perfect recipe for lengthy queues at Big Splash Waterpark.
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But it was worth it for hundreds of families.
The heat was unbearable for some who abandoned the 1.5 hour wait to enter the Jamison venue's 'Babies Day Out' on Friday, but more than 1,000 people persevered to secure a refreshing dip, free cake and bonus swimming lesson.
In light of the string of drowning deaths in NSW and one in the ACT over the Christmas break, the pool's owners joined forces with swim school Aquatots to provide free swimming demonstrations between 9am and 11am.
Big Splash owner Aaron Watkins expected a big turnout for the annual event but believed the addition of safety lessons boosted this year's figures.
"We probably have about 500 families here, with each bringing a couple of kids, and more will come yet," Mr Watkins said shortly after 10am.
"We have been steady lately with usually more than 1,000 through the doors in the recent weeks. But it's very busy today with the $6 entry for an adult and child under five, including a free drink and a cake, and the Aquatots demonstrations."
Aquatots mananer Elina Sarri decided to run the free demonstrations at Big Splash after discovering in devastation the NSW drowning toll rise to 19 over the holidays, including the death of several toddlers.
"What we are doing today - because of all of the horrible incidents lately - is we are trying to spread the water safety message," Ms Sarri said.
"We have done the jump and turn, so that if kids fall into the pool they can pull themselves back to the wall, and later we will be doing the jump and roll onto their backs, which is great for river safety."
She urged parents to stay within an arm's reach of children swimming in pools at all times, ensure the pool is fenced, have a CPR chart nearby and enrol them in swimming lessons as young as six weeks old.
Two-year-old Isabella began swimming lessons as a bub. Her mother Nikki Krajacic said she could now confidently swim underwater unassisted, kick and blow bubbles.
"The things she's learned could save her life," the Casey mother said.
"Especially because we have a pool, I think it's so important to learn these skills as early as possible."
But education was not the only reason hundreds of parents flocked to the jam-packed pool.
After queuing for more than an hour, Latham's Chantelle Mundy and her 19-month-old son Levi craved nothing but a big splash.
"There are so many people here, and when we were lining up a lot of people left," Ms Mundy said.
"But it's been worth it. It has been fun going down the slides and playing in the water."
"It has been very hot lately."
