August 29, 2025: Snorkeling is dangerous.
Happy Long Weekend!
Fresh off a cruise to nowhere (thanks Hurricane Erin), I want to lead with a story I have opinions about.
Family Sues Cruise Line After Drowning During Bermuda Port Visit
Respectfully, snorkeling in the open ocean will always carry risks. Full stop. The claims that the ship was visiting "outside of tourist season" (the beach was not closed); "fewer lifeguards were available" (did the excursion explicitly state lifeguards were stationed?); and the "cruise line did not disclose recent drownings at the site" (nobody does - it's bad for tourism) are red herrings.
The bigger issue for me is the victim willfully attempted to rescue a little girl (not from their party?) who was drifting out to sea. That's a heroic thing to do, but it's also not his job or the purpose of the snorkeling excursion. Also note the family tags the cruise line (deep pockets), not the local tour provider (small pockets).
This op ed might come across as cold, but I think the inherent risks are being conflated with agency & personal responsibility. As a frequent cruiser, I've participated in multiple, cruise line-sanctioned snorkeling excursions in places such as Grand Cayman & Curaçao where it was apparent to me (as an experienced lifeguard) participants had neither fully read nor fully understood the terms & conditions of the snorkeling excursion.
As examples, I went into the Royal Caribbean app to screenshot the lengthy terms & conditions of two snorkeling excursions available on an upcoming cruise to Turks & Caicos. There are plenty of opportunities to understand what you are committing to, prior to adding the activity to your cart & checking out.
I am all about education & advocacy in water safety & drowning prevention. However, I also firmly believe that when all of the boxes have been checked in terms of informed consent, safety briefings, weather monitoring, inspected equipment, licenses, emergency plans, etc. there also needs to be some personal accountability when people - either through omission or commission - willfully ignore the realities of the open ocean as an untamed, uncontrolled aquatic environment that can change on a moment's notice.
I understand this family lost their loved one under tragic circumstances that probably could have been prevented, but I don't personally think that's the organizer's fault or responsibility.
Two Women Are Rescued From Hot Tub at Remote Cabin
My conjecture here is that they had mobility restrictions that prevented them from physically climbing out?! I have lots of questions.
Vancouver parents blocked from teaching their kids to swim in public pools
The viral article of the week in Western Canada. Private coaching/instruction policies are not new, many facilities have them in place. However, the way this message was delivered when Vancouver has a severe pool space shortage and lengthy swim lesson waitlist definitely made how this landed much worse.
Airbnb adds safety feature to waterfront listings and homes with pools
People need this. Kudos to the influencer I follow who once admitted on Instagram Stories that she hadn't considered how the beautiful, ungated pool at her cliffside villa rental in Mexico was a significant drowning hazard until she showed up with her toddler and realized her mistake.
Police seek suspect accused of stealing credit cards from swimming pool locker room
Even if you have signs posted saying your aquatic facility is not responsible for lost or stolen items, do you have proactive policies to monitor non-swimmers rifling through change rooms?
Dallas could close all community pools over the next three years
"The proposed cuts come as the department is looking to slash $3 million from its budget by cutting positions, closing pools and reducing hours at recreation centers."
Man drowns in Scarborough pool while swimming with child
Parents sue city, 4 lifeguards after 2024 drowning death of their son
Not surprising given how outspoken the family has been, but really unfortunate that they tagged the individual lifeguards because their lives will be destroyed by this legislative process.
Moore Payne Law Files Negligence Lawsuit Against Tradewinds Apartment Hotel After Drowning Death of 5-Year-Old Girl
I don't normally features press releases about lawsuits (yes, that is a real thing), but this one highlights very common foreseeable risks I often encounter at hotels & condos.
Wisconsin missing kayaker who faked his own death and fled U.S. is sentenced to 89 days in jail
The most frustrating thing is the time spent by Bruce's Legacy on this search when they could have been helping another family. Similarly: Maine man accused of faking his own drowning arrested by U.S. Marshals
Fire crews respond to poolside roof collapse in Wilton Manors
The video footage is scary!
Swimming pool slot reserved in Ixelles for plus-size people
If you can read French, the original post is here with a more detailed explanation about their manifesto to make sport spaces more body-inclusive.
Comprehensive Study Validates Pool Bonding Methods for Safety and Reliability
Download the complete report here.
Think before you drain: Protecting our rivers from pool water
An important, infrequently discussed topic I've started adding to the Certified Pool Operator (CPO) class after a student told me they drain their cabin hot tub weekly into the grass. Wait, didn't you say your cabin is in a national park next to a salmon river? 😳 Also: City of Wichita using pool water at MacDonald Golf Course
Pueblo West board president pitches new swimming pool at half the cost of previous proposal
What could possibly go wrong? "The key, he said, would be to limit the building size to 11,900 square feet so a sprinkler system is not required."
Lyndhurst woman teaches aquatics at 100 after surviving near-drowning in her youth
"It wasn’t until she was 80 years old that Rose embarked on this new career path, getting her certification to be an instructor."
Water Parks: Retooling for Evening Operation
I just said this in last week's newsletter!
Swimmers take fight for 50-metre pool to B.C.'s top court
The saga continues...
AISD Changes Field Trip Rules After Student Drowns at Pool Party
CPSC Approves New Federal Safety Standard for Neck Floats to Prevent Infant Deaths and Serious Injuries
I guess if people are going to insist on using them, a standard will help keep more babies safe?!
Morocco’s Summer Beaches See 14,040 Drowning Cases in Two Months
20-year study shows Australian pool drowning down by 46 per cent
Ontario Investing Over $7.7 Million to Build New Aquatic Centre in Uxbridge
The Greater Toronto Hamilton Area (GTHA, formerly GTA) desperately needs more pools.
Michael Phelps is right. USA Swimming’s failure runs deeper than medals
Man drowns after fall from paddleboard on Yellowknife’s Long Lake
Not unlike snorkeling, for some reason, people still have it in their mind that using a paddleboard is not "boating" and doesn't pose any risks.
Broken glass cuts season short for Decorah pool
Includes a great photo I would recommend downloading for future communication if you want to a develop a no-SCUBA (style) goggles policy for your pool.
And, with that, you've officially made it to the end of summer. Congrats!
Katie Crysdale
Lakeview Aquatic Consultants Ltd.