There is more than one way to enjoy exercise at a swimming pool - in fact you don’t even need to get wet.

The Medway Big Splash is back for the third year and this time it promises to be more fun than ever thanks to a new ‘It’s a Knock-Out’ style competition which includes zorbing.

For those who have never experienced zorbing, imagine being inside a giant hamster ball and rolling around on the surface of the swimming pool. It’s harder than it looks.

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Teams of four or more people aged 16 and over will battle it out against each other in a series of other challenges during the competition as well, including water sports and a giant inflatable obstacle course.

While everything else over the weekend is free, there will be an entry fee of £3 per person for that competition, which is to be donated to the Oliver Fisher special baby care unit at Medway hospital.

Kirsty Gill knows how important the unit is after her son Zachary, now 10 months, had a long stint there.

She said: “Zach was born three months premature and spent just shy of seven weeks in Oliver Fisher, including over Christmas, time usually spent with close family. All the nurses and staff on the wards became our close family.

"I had to leave him with them overnight every night and that is a huge responsibilty you’re handing over, but never once did I leave the unit scared about who was looking after him. He was in the safest hands and they really did care for him as much as I would.

“It’s reassuring to know people care enough to want to buy new equipment and fund more nurses and more incubators, because there’s that scary possibility that you go into labour and they are not enough cots.

“This event is fantastic because it’s completely focused on your family and it’s healthy.”

As well as the new challenge the Big Splash will also feature Pool Parties with fun family games, music, giant inflatables and a family gala with races and medals.

The Big Splash sessions offer aqua zorbs, diving, water polo, aqua Zumba, synchronised swimming, lifesaving and more while the Medway Big Swim will see people swim a distance they can manage and it all tallies up to an overall total.

Big Splash events will be held at Medway Park, Strood Sports Centre - where the pool has been dyed pink for the occasion - Splashes and Hoo Sports Centre over January 16 and 17.

Cllr Howard Doe, responsible for sport in Medway said: “The first year 1,600 took part, and 2,500 last year. We want more than that this time and I’m sure we’ll get it.

“Once people have tried it, they often come back and we get more people using the facilities, which is great. It makes people fitter and they learn to swim, which could save their life.”

Those taking part in the Big Swim distance swimming challenge at Strood Sports Centre are also being encouraged to raise sponsorship if they can for the Oliver Fisher unit.

Registration is now open and people need to pre-book a place for all activities at www.medway.gov.uk/bigsplash.