Making Pools Accessible: A Unicare and Para Mobility Partnership in Pool Hoists & Aquatic Solutions
Workshop: Pool Hoists & Aquatic Solutions for Therapists
– Empowering safe water access through clinical know-how
Wednesday 20 August 2025
Cannington Leisureplex
At Unicare Health, we believe in the enabling power of patient handling equipment and the critical role it plays in the daily lives of our clients. This importance extends beyond daily life on dry land.
Access to swimming pools or spas should not be a luxury, but a basic right for seniors and people with disability. Hydrotherapy offers proven rehabilitation and mobility benefits for people of all ages, driving innovation in technology that makes safe water access possible for those with limited mobility.
That’s why Unicare Health is proud to be the sole distributor of Para Mobility in Western Australia. Para Mobility is an Australian-owned and operated company, dedicated to manufacturing high-quality aquatic disability equipment.
In August, we were delighted to host a brand-new Unicare training workshop on pool hoists and aquatic solutions at Cannington Leisureplex. The session was led by Para Mobility’s National Sales Manager, Tania Modde, who brought years of expertise in delivering safe, client-focused aquatic access solutions.
Exploring Pool Hoists & Aquatic Solutions
Tanya introduced the Pelican Pool Hoist, the only Australian-made and manufactured pool hoist, and the only hoist in the world designed for multiple applications.
The single-arm Pelican Pool Hoist can be used with an aquatic wheelchair or a lifting sling, with a safe working load (SWL) of 150kg or 200kg.
The twin-arm Pelican Pool Hoist can be used with an aquatic wheelchair, lifting sling, fixed solid seat, or platform, with the dual arms keeping attachments perpendicular to the water.
Both models are suitable for above- and below-ground pools and spas.
Therapists learned about the Kingfisher Pool Access Seat, designed for individuals who require some assistance but maintain greater independence than Pelican Pool Hoist users. With a SWL of 150kg, it can be operated by a carer or independently via a waterproof hand controller, and folds away compactly for discreet storage.
The Platypus Pool Steps is a custom-made option for pool users who are uncomfortable with using traditional vertical swimming pool ladders. The steps (SWL 150kg) require no pool modifications and can be easily installed and removed.
The group also learned about Platypus and Pelican Aquatic Wheelchairs, made from lightweight, furniture-grade PVC. These wheelchairs are pool-safe, won’t absorb heat in the sun, and are designed to be fully immersed in salt, chlorinated, or fresh water.
Making a Splash!
After morning tea, therapists gathered poolside where Cannington Leisureplex’s own Pelican Pool Hoist was ready for demonstration.
Tania, now in her swim gear, walked participants through the hoist’s intuitive remote controls and demonstrated how easily the boom could be manoeuvred.
Using the Leisureplex’s Platypus Aquatic Wheelchair, attendees then had the chance to operate the hoist themselves, and lowered Tania into the water.
Participants also trialled hoisting Tania in the Pelican Floating Seat Sling, another Para Mobility lifting solution. This hands-on session gave therapists valuable experience and a deeper appreciation for how simple, yet vital aquatic assistive equipment can be.
Thank you
We’d like to thank the therapists who joined us for this workshop and deepened their clinical understanding of pool hoists and aquatic access solutions. We trust the session provided valuable insights into the world of aquatic assistive technology.
A special thank you goes to Tania Modde from Para Mobility for leading the session and sharing her knowledge with both the Unicare team and our attendees.
