They tried to go over it, under it and round it, but only a few successfully made it across the giant inflatable obstacle course at Medway Park.

There was lots of laughter as contestants found themselves slipping and sliding into the pink-coloured swimming pool.

The It’s a Knockout style competition was a new addition to this year’s Big Splash and the team challenge trophy went to the team from BAE Systems.

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Swimming pools across Medway ran a variety of free fun aquatic events across the weekend and also joining in the fun were Olympians Kate Haywood and Mhairi Spence.

Kate, who holds the British record for 100m breaststroke, kicked off the pool party at Medway Park on Saturday, before heading off to help with taster sessions at Strood Sports Centre.

She said: “Some of these guys may not have been in a swimming pool that often or got a chance to play on the inflatables and with the balls and all sorts of things, so I think events like this are brilliant.

“I made lots of friends from swimming, it was fun, it was sociable. You don’t have to be a competitive swimmer, you can get into diving, synchronised swimming, you can just come down to the pool and splash around and have a good time.”

Activities on offer ranged from aqua zorbs, diving, synchronised swimming, water polo, aqua Zumba, to lifesaving and more.

Those taking part in the distance challenge swam 60 miles at Strood Sports Centre on Sunday while raising money for the Oliver Fisher Special Care Baby Trust at Medway Maritime Hospital.

Watch: The Big Splash returned to pools across Medway this weekend

The Big Splash is the first of three mass participation sporting events run by the council. The Big Ride is in June, followed by the Medway Mile in July.

For more pictures, pick up a copy of Friday's Medway Messenger