July 10, 2026: Sounds of Summer
Greetings & Happy Friday,
I'm coming to you late this week because I was waiting for inspiration to write the op ed that usually prefaces the news, and I just don't have any wisdom to share with you this week. It's summer: it's hot, everyone's busy, short-staffed or covering vacations, and it's just a lot, so I'm not going to add to your pile.
A reminder that you can always submit your pool questions to our anonymous advice column for me to discuss in an upcoming newsletter.
Alberta Health Services (AHS) recently made small tweaks to the following forms. Legacy links still work, but be sure to download the most recent June 2026 edition for your records if you're working in the pool industry here in Alberta.
Anti-Entrapment Compliance Form for Public Swimming Pools
Information to Complete Anti-Entrapment Compliance Form
There's a pretty wide mix of stories this week, despite it being a slower news week (lots of people OOO) with Canada Day, America's 250th, and some person's wedding in NYC.
Ex-state parks superintendent accused of secretly recording naked lifeguards
I have no idea why more people aren't talking about this?!
State parks superintendent accused of having 2 million secret nude recordings of employees
It appears men were the target, not women.
Cultus Lake Waterpark remains closed, eyes mid-July reopening date
I don't think we can read too much into this headline: the repairs are going to be technically complicated, so not something that can be quickly or easily remedied. However, I don't like that all information on their website about the incident is still below the page break?!
As I said to someone earlier this week who asked for an update on the original incident, even though the weather in interior British Columbia justifies opening in July until late September or early October, I would be surprised if they open at all this summer. I am also concerned that we haven't had any meaningful updates on the kids who were in hospital in serious condition. Yes, the families are entitled to privacy, however if they had been released and were "ok," I think we'd have heard that, too.
Records: Toddler found alive in hospital morgue after being pronounced dead by Arizona doctor
This is an older incident, but it's back in the news because public records have now been released, including the police report and photos of the scene. Two lay responders (i.e. the police officers) documented signs of life in the hospital for over an hour after the doctor declared the child dead.
Regular Pool Maintenance Optimizes Pool Experiences
Thanks to Briana for including me in this National Recreation & Parks Association (NRPA) magazine article.
Smart glasses expose a gap in Canadian privacy laws
If you are new here, we've been talking about the impact of these for months in aquatic & recreation settings - scroll back through our archives.
Minnesota Supreme Court takes up case over ‘Airbnb-style’ backyard pool rentals
I'm entirely unsurprised the company has the funds & desire to take this all the way to the top: if Minnesota wins enforcement of residential pools, that threatens the business model in all other states. Not sure what I'm talking about? Watch my presentation from the Southwest Pool & Spa Show in February.
Canada's Summer McIntosh breaks 200m butterfly world record
It's worth noting the original world record (WR) from 2009 was set during the now-banned super suit era.
Pool board continuing its shower policy talks
At one of my facilities, we used to allow campers & truckers to pay for showers with a wristband that made them ineligible to swim.
Paris summer ritual returns with 3 supervised Seine swimming spots
Even though the river has been "cleaned up," I'm still not sure I would put my ears or eyes into the water: the bacteria count tested during the 2024 Paris Olympic open water swimming events was substantive.
Reasonable Adjustment and Special Consideration Policy
This is a Royal Life Saving UK policy, but I really liked this document within the context of last week's deaf lifeguard video.
Teen dies on Duke of Edinburgh expedition
Buffalo introduces free pool membership ID system as summer swim season begins
Unique idea: "According to city leaders, the new membership process is designed to improve safety while making it easier to track attendance at public pools. As part of the registration, swimmers must provide an emergency contact, allowing staff to respond more effectively if an emergency occurs."
Project Lifesaver program urged after boy drowns in Menands pool
Water quality matters to drowning prevention! "“Unfortunately, due to its condition and chemical content, a false bottom impression was observed, leaving all inspectors to believe the pool was unoccupied and did not require a dive team for inspection."
Lenexa’s Ad Astra Pool reopens with $8M rebuild: Zero-depth entry, diving boards, new bathhouse
This is such a lovely layout/design!
Kids with autism are prone to drowning. Florida is trying to prevent that
This is a great 6-minute audio listen.
Florida increases age limit for swimming lesson vouchers as drowning numbers approach record level
6 Louisville pools shut down after testing positive for bacteria
I personally feel bacteria is underreported because because few jurisdictions have mandatory, routine bacteria testing (like Alberta & Saskatchewan); most places are on demand once there is concern to be investigated.
Victorian pool to reopen years after Covid closure
I had the opportunity to see this pool in person when was visiting the Ruth Lee UK factory in 2024.
Region's first stainless steel pools come to Kitchener, set to open near the end of the year
Stainless steel basins are very popular in Europe, but still relatively new in North America. The quality of the steel (the source country, the ore blend, the workmanship/welding and thickness) are all incredibly important during the procurement process.
N.J. open water lifeguards recognized as first responders
My daughter Chloe died at Camp Mystic. How does this all end? | Opinion
Click here to read without a paywall. "As I said during my testimony...this story could have unfolded differently. There could have been apologies. There could have been contrition. There could have been meaningful conversations about accountability and the right way to move forward... Had the parents of Heaven’s 27 not committed themselves to uncovering the truth, it is entirely possible that the events of that night would have faded from public scrutiny and escaped meaningful accountability." (emphasis added)
If you haven't been to a World Waterpark Association (WWA) annual conference and tradeshow, my vlog from 2025 (yes, 9 months late!😂) is now live.
A detailed cost analysis of attending the show is available in the 2024 video.
Thanks to my friend Paige Lacroix of Shining Stars Swim School for letting me repost in full the AquaTalk podcast we recorded just weeks before the Pandemic started in 2020 on the YouTube channel. The impetus for suddenly doing this was the realization that another podcast I recorded with someone else around the same just disappeared from the internet completely after they stopped paying their domain fees. 😭
Have a great weekend & see you again in a few short days.
Katie Crysdale
Lakeview Aquatic Consultants Ltd.