April 4, 2025: Montana hot springs

Good Morning,

Do you ever have one of those weeks that starts out one way on Monday, but then ends up a completely different way by Friday? That's me this week. I almost missed this newsletter because I'm in Bozeman, Montana unexpectedly and didn't realize it's Friday based on the way the trip reoriented my week.

I've lived in Southern Alberta since 2016 and never had much love for Montana: it's just somewhere to drive through on the way to somewhere else. But yesterday, with the snow-flecked peaks and empty roads, it was a beautiful drive, and I understood why some people are obsessed with the outdoor lifestyle showcased in Yellowstone.

Do you know what else was beautiful? Bozeman Hot Springs. I stopped yesterday and stayed over 2 hours. With 12 different pools of varying temperatures (indoor & outdoor), the live band on the pool deck (!) on Thursday night, endless free towels, premium bath products in the showers, smoothie bar and the overall value for $21 USD (non-resident rate) to stay as long as you like, I highly recommend it. (If you've stopped before, a huge renovation was completed by new owners in 2024. They hope to add a hotel and expand further over the next 10 years.)

I've also never been so impressed with the landscaping around a series of outdoor pools? There was strategic shrubbery and decorative rocks to create visual interest, privacy and deck areas that could be rented out by groups; it was a really excellent use of the dead space. Yes, there were small things to be addressed (missing tiles, algae starting near the coping of one pool, etc.) but for as many pools as I do see, I really enjoyed my time on site and felt the operators cared about the swimmers.

When I arrived at 4:15pm on a weekday, there was only 15 ~ people in all four outside basins (inside was a bit busier because they host after-school swim lessons.) The outside was a bit more crowded when I left (50~ across four large basins; people come for the live music), but still not mobbed. There is tons of poolside seating, decorative lights and fire pits, ambient music (when there's no band), tons of free parking, etc. Schedule note: the owners are religious, so take note of the weekly Friday night and Saturday daytime closures. Otherwise this place is open late for us night owls!!!

Front desk staff could only partially answer my operational questions: outdoor pools are treated with chlorine and recirculate; indoor pools are drained and filled each night; no clue what type of filters or chemicals are used; heat is heat pumps; all the water comes from the owner's private aquifer on 400 acres, and definitely has other properties because it smells, but my skin feels amazing.

The State of Montana tourism board has a Hot Springs Resorts & Pools page with 18 other facilities, some of which I'm going to try to hit today my event tonight. I know this because the targeted Instagram ads year were a lot, but - joke's on me - because they eventually worked? Follow on Instagram for more hot springs info over the next few days.

Here's the latest aquatic industry news this week -

Yes, the elephant in the room is that tariffs are now a reality for all of us (not just Canada), so I'll be chatting about how I think this is going to impact the aquatic industry in next week's newsletter (April 11).

Park board approves 25-metre pool for renovated Vancouver Aquatic Centre
I doubt this is the final decision on this.

Disney’s Blizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon will both be open for guests this summer for 1st time since 2019
One of the complaints I've seen bubbling online is WDW prices keep increasing as service levels drop. I expect this is a business decision because they think they can make money (i.e. fill two water parks) and address those complaints.

Emerald Hills Pool closed until September for $2.5M repairs
This article got lost from last week's newsletter drafts, but I still wanted to mention it (albeit late) because - and I'm not looking to throw rocks; I don't have any inside information - but that's a lot of money for a facility that's less than a decade old. I did appreciate administration's effort to highlight other aquatic amenities available in Sherwood Park via this social media video because I'm sure residents are not happy; this is a long closure.

Future of Pools
In the nicest way possible, this Swimming Canada toolkit looks suspiciously similar to the resources issued by Aquatic Sport Council Ontario earlier this year. Katie chatted with Anne for YouTube about their white paper, calling for more 50m pools to be built.

Avoiding Cellulitis
Lots of students in CPO class have asked about skin rashes over the years. This short article by microbiologist Dr. Roy Vore provides excellent guidance about when to be concerned (is there a fever?) and signs that it's not simply not just a pH imbalance causing skin irritation.

Neighbour complaint could end decades-long backyard swimming lessons in St. Thomas
I'm all for following the rules when it comes to municipal zoning and bylaws (Swimply, swim lessons or otherwise), but if she can document she's been teaching at the site for 34 years while the city looked the other way and there hasn't been a zoning change, I see the potential for legal action.

Sydney’s Beloved Bondi Beach Smashed By Massive Tides
What's been described as a "king tide" smashed railings, cracked concrete and broke into the lifeguard office at Bondi Icebergs Club, one of the most famous outdoor swimming pools in the world on the edge of Bondi Beach. Video footage of pool damage starts around the 1 minute mark.

Frankenmuth police investigate after man allegedly exposes himself at Zehnder's Splash Village
No one wants to talk about these incidents, but they do certainly happen in aquatics. One of the big questions I have over the last few years is whether this occurrences are increasing or to be just have better staff training and reporting? I chatted about this with a colleague on YouTube last year.

London’s Design Museum takes a deep dive into our love affair with swimming
If you will be in London during the next six months, this exhibit looks like it can't be missed! My next ISO Meeting is supposed to be in London, but dates are still TBC. 🤞

$25 Million Verdict Against Pool Manufacturer in Child Drowning Case
When providing guidance to any aquatic facility, I always say it comes down to how the pool is actually being used. It doesn't matter how well something was designed or built, if there is a flaw that can be exploited and customers do (abuse) it, that's a problem for your organization and should be addressed. "That's not what we intended" is never going to be good legal defense.

A classic example is that if you know kids are regularly lathering up with liquid hand soap in the bath/change rooms before going down the water slide at your hotel, it's time to switch to far less exciting (but definitely more expensive) foam soap. Lawsuit price > soap price. "Swim at your own risk" doesn't cut it when the temptation - and lack of supervision - is right there.

CHAN Wai Lap: LOVEGUARD
"Chan Wai-lap’s Loveguard [art exhibit] offers a unique perspective on the role of lifeguards and human connections in contemporary society.... There's great photos and videos of the exhibit on Instagram.

They’re in Hot Water in Idaho. Here’s Why That’s a Good Thing.
Part of the 50 States, 50 Fixes is a series about local solutions to environmental problems. This is a brief article about how geothermal (heat) pumps are location-specific, and a good explanation for those who may be less familiar with how they work.

‘This is Australia, we’re surrounded by water’: how a nation of strong swimmers is losing its way
A longer op ed about cultural attitudes to swimming in Australia changing.

Surfing in downtown Anoka? $55M project could turn Rum River Dam into a whitewater attraction
I don't think this is inherently a bad idea, but I do think it will cause confusion, i.e. more people will think it's ok (safe) to swim near dams, without realizing it's special infrastructure. We already routinely have many drowning fatalities in and around dams. April is Low Head Dam Public Safety Awareness Month.

There was also an earthquake in Thailand at the end of last week. We've seen terrible devastation in Laos with thousands dead or missing. I don't like reduce human tragedy to some shaking pools, but - if you are interested - there are tons of videos floating around the internet of rooftop pools in Bangkok (including swimmers on inflatables) shaking during the earthquake, if you are interested.

Thanks for being here!

Katie Crysdale
Lakeview Aquatic Consultants Ltd.