June 20, 2025: Cryo is Coming
Good Afternoon,
I would not consider myself very superstitious. Last Friday, June 13th was a lovely day spent out in Waterton National Park after working with a client; I had absolutely no complaints. What has followed has felt like one of those weeks where you're barely treading water, and I'm not the only one questioning if this is Friday the 13th, the week-long edition.
I said last week that summer is finally here, but what I really should have said is the onslaught of work that has many pool operators now counting down to Labour Day is officially here. Only 73 days to go.
I've also now had two inquiries about cryo therapy in the last two weeks, and seen this ad (below), so I think this is a personal services/wellness fad that's potentially headed our way.
I'm busy, you're busy, so let's jump straight to the pool/aquatic news stories that caught my eye this week.
Lifeguard walked away as 2 brothers drowned and N.J. school covered it up, lawyers say
"“The lifeguards not only failed to act — they lied to the police about their actions and staffing levels that night, apparently unaware there was surveillance video," the statement said."
High schooler paralyzed in pool party accident defies the odds ahead of graduation
Because we all need a good news story in the midst of all the bad news you're going to read in this week's newsletter.
Families say kids got chemical burns from Cape Cod hotel pool, hot tub
Having a Certified Pool Operator (CPO) certification, or passing your recent health inspection does NOT guarantee your pool's safety.
Don't tiptoe around why Emilie Kiser's son drowned | Opinion
Direct, but also not wrong.
This is why your pool water is cloudy
British father of two breaks his neck after stranger pushes him into shallow swimming pool as a prank during Benidorm holiday
We really need to stop making pushing people into pools socially/culturally acceptable; it often leads to serious injury, including paralysis.
Images show construction of +Pool designed to float on East River
After almost 14 years of discussion, it's actually happening.
36-mile open-water swimming race, the longest in North America, returns this weekend to the Red River
What could possible go wrong?
7-year-old boy dies snorkeling with friends in pool, Ohio cops say. ‘Unimaginable’
Few parents & caregivers understand that snorkels are not toys; they are specialized equipment.
Fairfax Municipal Swimming Pool to hold ‘Dollar Swim Day’, closed Saturday and Sunday
Initiatives like this are important opportunities to provide access to everyone in your community. $4-8 admission may not seem like a lot of money, especially given the cost to actually operate the swimming pool, but it's definitely insurmountable for some.
Rural pools trial swimming without lifeguards
Worth a listen, even if I don't personally agree.
Acadia stands firm on permanent pool closure
There was no 11th hour reprieve this week.
Swim fans ask city council to deny additional funding for Vancouver Aquatic Centre renewal
Because we didn't get our way, let's be bitter and prevent other people from having functional pool space to use. SMH.
Smaller amusement parks hope for a strong summer under the shadow of tariffs
How is your pool doing in this climate of economic & political uncertainty? I'm hearing reports in Canada that pool attendance is all over the place, but mostly down due to fewer spending dollars. What about you? Please consider replying with your thoughts.
AITA for refusing to open my pool w/o a safety gate?
Yes!!!
Will Windsor relocate Sandpoint Beach or shut it down permanently?
At least nine people have drowned in the area since the beach opened in 1980.
'Traumatic experience for everybody': Union urges water training, more resources after Lacamas Lake drowning
In a lot of communities, firefighters are expected to respond to open water emergencies. I'm not suggesting they're not qualified to do so, but we have also seen through repeated firefighter drowning fatalities that more training & specialized resources are required for these environments.
New Jersey launches water safety program to cut down on drownings, especially among kids
The state of New Jersey is the third US state to launch a state-wide water safety strategy.
National Drowning Prevention Week
Free resources from the Alberta & Northwest Territories Lifesaving Society to prepare for NDPW in July.
PRODUCT PROFILE
Glimmer Body Art
This will seem random, but this is a product I saw at the IAAPA show last year that I've been meaning to showcase it. I have no connection to this company, but they did a tattoo on me, and I was genuinely impressed by how long it lasted over the next week. I think it would be a fun revenue opportunity at special events.
I'm a bit behind on this week's YouTube content, so the final word goes to this excellent email signature from an Ontario Recreation Facilities Association (ORFA) staff member I was corresponding with. 👏👏
Katie Crysdale
Lakeview Aquatic Consultants Ltd.