July 18, 2025: Every action doesn't require a reaction.
Good Morning,
We are 45 days out from Labour Day. Depending on where you live & work, summer is either almost over or barely half-done.
I've been thinking a lot about momentum versus movement this week. The idea is that movement is the false sense of productivity we get from accomplishing repeating tasks every day (email, water chemistry tests, bather stats, client calls, etc.) Meanwhile, true momentum only comes from the big-picture projects we're all avoiding because we don't have capacity to stop daily movement to fix chronic momentum problems (replacing that outdated sign, writing a new facility procedure, documenting that staff member who's always late, revamping the swim schedule, sourcing a new supplier, etc.)
I, too, am very guilty of doing every little piece of movement to keep the train running smoothly down the track... at the expense of starting bigger momentum projects. Website redesign. Newsletter search functionality. Speaker package updates. Poolaide Webinar repackaging. 10+ hours of new video footage to cut & edit for YouTube.
My current solution? I read this article a month ago, and now I roll the dice ("The Dice Game") every time I have a random hour free. Maybe it doesn't move the needle and get the full project done - yet - but at least I'm making progress.
Where does that hour ~ come from? Every time I get an email or phone call, I now try to stop and ask myself "Does the amount of attention I'm giving this task match its true importance?" If not, every action does not require a reaction.
The goal is momentum, not just movement.
Usually it's a real struggle to balance news coverage across the different areas of our industry (facility operations, programming & water safety) in the newsletter each week, but this week has a little bit of everything with no extra effort by me.
Chandler PD recommends charges in drowning of TikTok influencer’s son
As I've said in the past, I don't believe parents should be charged in drowning fatalities. However, this is a tough spot for this police department to be in because failure to charge the dad (mom was out) might otherwise appear like celebs receive special treatment.
'You're an angel' — Life-saving Leamington teens rush to rescue man struggling in Lake Erie
Thanks to a reader for sending this good news over! The teens took their lifesaver training (Bronze classes) at their local facility.
Pool passes on loan at Bruce County Public Library
If you haven't been to a public library in a while, many now have lending programs such as family passes to local attractions or specialized equipment like outdoor gear and 3D printers. Why can't pool passes be a part of this, too?
Chicago Park District’s Internal Review of Douglass Park Pool Shooting Identifies ‘Gaps’ in Oversight
I did not cover this story when it first occurred because it was so bizarre that a lifeguard shot someone at the pool. However, the key takeaway for me now that we have more information is that every single aquatic staff needs to be thoroughly vetted, irrespective of age, experience or how little internal capacity you have to do those checks in the middle of the busy summer pool season.
Mecklenburg County now allows residential pool rental
If you've followed Lakeview on Facebook long before this newsletter, I've always had concerns about Swimply, the private/residential pool rental app. This is a very interesting approach in North Carolina to not ban individual rentals entirely - something several US counties & states have tried unsuccessfully because Swimply has more money for lawyers & lobbyists - but to address the problem proactively.
South German public pools ban ‘burkinis’ in crackdown on ‘unhygienic’ swimwear
THERE IS NOTHING UNSANITARY ABOUT A PROPERLY MADE BURKINI.
Why doesn’t Baltimore County have any public pools? Blame segregation.
Each February for Black History month, journalists take a very superficial look at segregation in aquatics - a huge issue that our industry hasn't taken full reconciliACTION. This is one of the most comprehensive articles I've ever seen, tackling many sides to the issue specifically in Maryland.
Mom Called ‘Dramatic’ For Hiring a Lifeguard For Her Kindergartener’s Pool Party
More like mom of the year!
12-year-old girl dies after being pulled from inflatable pool
Inflatable pools are no less dangerous just because they don't appear dangerous. They're also very heavy.
Details revealed after man dies in water at Centennial Beach as family questions lifeguard response
The family is alleging the lifeguard did not clear the pool or locate the victim for 30 minutes.
Asheville's Grant Center pool will have unarmed security guards for the summer, city says
If you know of any other non-waterpark aquatic facilities with security, can you please email me in confidence? I'd like to collect some more information on this.
Oberlin Splash Zone recruiting parents to volunteer lifeguard to combat staffing shortages
Like asking parents to help coach their kids' sports teams, this is a new one for me: asking parents to become lifeguards to help increase pool access for their kids.
Supervisor ‘laughed off’ warnings before child’s death on Mass. field trip, DA says
This gives us a lot more context on the story I first reported last week. "The investigation revealed that at least three children alerted a supervisor that Giver [the victim] was unable to swim and that she’d gone underwater."
10 Best Women’s Thick Strap Training Swimsuits For Real Swimmers
The struggle is real if you're not a skinny Minnie.
People Won’t Stop Pooping in New York City’s Public Pools
Someone with too much time on their hands made freedom of information requests for pools in one of the largest cities in the world, and is surprised that there are accidental fecal releases (AFRs).
At some federal beaches, the lifeguard chair is empty
When lifeguards are employed by the National Park Service (NPS) who recently experienced significant funding cuts.
Kim Jong-un hails new North Korean beach resort as one of country’s ‘greatest feats’ this year
Likely a project where we will not see any project attribution on any of the water slide manufacturers websites.
Drift Away Wellness Spa
I don't often showcase facilities we work with on permitting & regulatory documentation, but here's a tour of a new site in Calgary that I'm particularly proud of!
We've added a new 2 day x 8 hour Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA) Certified Pool Operator (CPO) class on Zoom Tuesday, July 29 & Wednesday, July 30.
Please note registration closes on Tuesday, July 22. If you're not sure if you can get approval prior to that shipping deadline, please contact me so we can work something out.
A kind reminder that if you've taken a CPO class with us before and enjoyed the experience, or benefited from any resources I've shared or suppliers I've referred over the years, please consider leaving us a Google Review using this link. Every little bit helps us to reach new customers & costs you nothing.
All the best.
Katie Crysdale
Lakeview Aquatic Consultants Ltd.
