July 11, 2025: Camp Mystic
Good Morning,
Welcome back after we skipped last week's edition due to the Canadian & US national holidays.
I had a several things I planned to talk about this week, but the main story that's been bouncing around my mind was the dozens of girls killed recently at Camp Mystic (Texas) due to flash flooding. If you attended summer camp, this New York Times podcast will make you cry. If you didn't attend summer camp, this feature will explain everything about how camp changes lives.
Without assigning blame when it's too early to truly understand what happened, this incident should become a watershed moment in our industry's understanding that very few drowning incidents (fatal or otherwise) occur in physical pool basins.
Here's every aquatic industry news story I think you should be aware of right now -
Two individuals charged in death of 12-year-old, who drowned during school field trip at Beartown State Forest
"The permit for this trip indicated that 25 students were attending this trip however, it was over 35."
Harrowing details reveal teen lifeguard impaled by beach umbrella was just 2 inches from horrific outcome
Thankfully it was "only" in her arm, and she's since been discharged from hospital.
Woman takes legal action after spa chlorine exposure
"Mrs. Hollingworth said she was awaiting surgery on her eye as a consequence of the exposure."
“We Just Needed the Right Environment”: The culturally-safe swim sessions empowering women in Newport
Just because certain demographics don't (currently) attend your aquatic facility doesn't mean they don't have a desire to swim.
Houston health inspectors rarely fine swimming pools for dangerous conditions
I hate to say it, but this is the same jurisdiction where Aaliyah Lynette Jaico was killed in March 2024, so this is not entirely surprising. I have several videos on YouTube about the incident.
Girl who fell off Disney cruise "was not being held" by father at time of incident, authorities say
There's a lot of conflicting information about what led to the girl falling off the ship in the first place, but what we do know is dad tread water & supported her for at least 20 minutes until the ship could stop and deploy a life raft to rescue them.
Kits[ilano] Pool Replacement
The City of Vancouver is doing a feasibility study for the 2027-2030 Capital Plan
Mom Learns 20-Year-Old Son Is Missing After Cops Break Up Party. He's Found Dead in the Pool the Next Day
There doesn't have to be an intention to swim for a fatal drowning to take place.
"Too good to pass up:" Kingston takes plunge on $3 million splash-and-play water park
The title is terribly inaccurate: this is a huge revamp to Kingston, ON's waterfront with swimming zones & an inflatable obstacle course. Increased access to aquatics is a good thing, but having spent many summer days in Kingston, this is also a legitimate tourism & zoning concern that needs to be properly studied.
Paralympians express disappointment over swimming venues for LA in 2028
For the first time in 40 years, Paralympians will not get to use the same venue as Olympic swimmers.
Shattered tempered glass goggles prompt Livonia officials to drain lap pool
I want to reshare this article I wrote because I've had many broken glass-related inquiries in the last few weeks. The City of Red Deer recently recommitted to no glass snorkel masks at their aquatic facilities.
New Jersey Water Safety Strategy
This is only the third US state to adopt a statewide drowning prevention strategy.
Amsterdam Is Bringing a New Wave Pool to Its Canals
With all due respect to surf industry proponents, are people living in the center of Amsterdam actually looking for opportunities to go surfing? Just because you can build something doesn't mean you should.
Miramichi aquatic centre to be named after former N.B. premier
Water Exercisers in The Villages being forced to share pool with Combo Swim
Most municipal pool manager have been on the receiving end of vexations aquafit demands at some point in their career, so it made me laugh to actually see this in print.
Shell Knob, Mo., community holds life jacket drive in honor of boy who drowned
A pancake breakfast & lifejacket drive sounds like a very impactful community event.
Carnival Drops Controversial Rental Fee – But Is It Still Too High?
This story was the laughing stock of the cruise community, but I mention it because I still see aquatic facilities charge for lifejackets and other pool equipment; I just don't see how that's constructive to the user experience or successful operations.
Therme releases new designs for Ontario Place waterpark and spa
The plan is significantly scaled back from what was previously announced.
Joyful Parisians take a historic plunge into the Seine after 100 years
Have we forgotten all of the bacterial infections reported by Olympic swimmers in 2024?
Pittsburgh institutes chaperone policy at Ormsby Pool
Unpopular opinion, but I don't think kids should have to be supervised by someone 21 years of age or older. This policy is extreme and privileges children who have a guardian that age off work mid-day during the summer. There's got to be a better way to address aquatic staff concerns.
Inflatable swimming pool cracks the floor of a building in Mallorca
One of the reasons why inflatable pools should not be used on balconies and high rise buildings: water is HEAVY.
Doctor staged drowning to cover up daughter’s murder during Miami vacation: MDSO
I share this because I recently attended a nursing webinar where it was explained that more attempted murders are presenting in hospital ERs as drowning incidents.
Toddler left with permanent brain damage after nearly drowning in bathtub, reports say
It's not perfect (there was no "near drowning") but kudos to the journalist explicitly states the devastation this family faces now that their child can't engage in activities of daily living (ADL) without support.
Yakima Valley cities look at ways to keep community pools afloat
Inside India's Amusement Parks And The Rise Of Thrills
Asia - including China & India - are huge, as of yet untapped markets for large segments of the aquatic industry, especially as it regards to a new middle class with disposable income & time to recreate.
Chinese tourist drowns off Indonesia’s pink beach after skipping life jacket to pose for camera
Research shows surfers play a critical lifesaving role
Surfers may know a particular area of coastline better than even lifeguards due to years (10,000 rule) spent in that area.
Thank you for reading! If you enjoyed this week's newsletter, please consider forwarding it to a friend or colleague who could also benefit from weekly industry updates.
Katie Crysdale
Lakeview Aquatic Consultants Ltd.
