May 9, 2025: Water Safety Month
Good Morning,
Did you know that May is Water Safety Month? Whether your facility has lifeguards or not, it's always a great opportunity to conduct water safety education. It can be as simple as showcasing a few tips on your organization's social media accounts; printing posters for the change rooms; creating a display/activity table in the lobby; and hosting special events or programs.
Work smart not hard: if you need ideas to borrow, I've provided a few reputable organizations with free resources and graphics. No need to reinvent the wheel!
Lifesaving Society (Alberta)
American Red Cross
National Drowning Prevention Alliance (NDPA)
Josh the Otter
Swim Angelfish
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
Center for Disease Control (CDC)
At capacity for May? Put it on the calendar for June/July or program a calendar reminder now for 2026.
As summer and the outdoor pool season approaches in the Northern Hemisphere, the number of mentions of "swimming pool" or 'drowning' scraped in my daily Google News alerts explodes. I promise this list (below) is curated and each article is selected because I feel there's a point to be made or a conversation to be had.
To respect your time, I didn't add as many comments where the heading is self-explanatory.
Police investigating swimming pool sexual assault in Richmond Hill
Last year, I had a discussion with my colleague on YouTube asking: are swimming pool assaults increasing or are we just getting better at reporting?
TDSB committee ponders big cuts to curtail $58M budget deficit
I'm not convinced the pools couldn't bring in more revenue to cost recover if properly programmed. There is - quite understandably - a lot of red tape and restrictions to renting out swimming pools in schools, but Torontonians lack enough pool space at it is; it's a shame to close available pools that are severely underutilized.
Crew 'insufficiently trained' to save drowning woman
Using volunteers - instead of paying people - does not exempt you from providing training or ensuring they have sufficient credentials.
Mother speaks of distress knowing people filmed son as he drowned in Cork river
She's taking her anger and channelling it into change: Drowning victim’s family seeks law to prosecute people posting video of tragedies online
Sister charged after 5-year-old brother nearly drowns in pool as she sits nearby, police say
Yes, children should be supervised, but charging someone for a fatal drowning - especially a sibling; where was the parent? - is not the solution in my opinion.
Pool in Ross River, Yukon, won't re-open again this year, 7 years after closure
Missing Paperwork on Drainage Grate Causes Closure of Coral Springs' Cypress Water Park
Genuinely happy to see someone took anti-entrapment prevention seriously. We've talked at length (content warning) about the Houston entrapment that occurred in March 2024, including several videos on YouTube.
America’s Malls Are Making a Comeback—This Time As Fitness Destinations
If this trend hasn't taken off in your geographic area, it's coming. I became convinced of this after listening to this book and noticing the growing number of pickleball parlors (think CHICKEN N PiCKLE) built at or adjacent to malls.
Inside the unlikely reinvention of the Canadian department store
In Ottawa this week, I visited a client who's building a massive swim school in a mall. Repurposing empty retail space increases foot traffic mid-day and offers owners lucrative rent discounts or build-out incentives with the benefit of ample parking and on-site support like customer service & security.
A $25M splash: Pool upgrade an investment in 'future generations'
It's costing $$$ to keep a lot of these legacy facilities going, but it's still cheaper than wholesale replacement.
Local water park shares sanitation regimen amid law change to public pool inspections
Last week, I shared Idaho will no longer conduct state swimming pool inspections after July 1. Some aquatic facilities realize that a standard of care that is higher than the law will appeal to clients.
Charge homeowners with swimming pools and big gardens more for water, industry urges
"According to their proposals, frugal users would be rewarded with cheaper pricing per unit, while excessive users, including those with swimming pools or large gardens, would be forced to pay more."
Abandoned Victorian church that’s been turned into one of the UK’s most beautiful swimming pools
‘Keeps kids healthy, safe and active:’ New children swimsuit donations needed in Spokane
Lots of people find this gross, but one of the lasting legacies I'm most of proud of in my work in Lac La Biche County (AB) is the used swim suit donation program. Swimsuits are not affordable, and access to swimwear is a major barrier to entry for some families.
A Whole New World: Miral and Disney Partner to Create New Park in Abu Dhabi
A 7th Disney theme park will be built in Abu Dhabi, cementing the emirate as a "family theme park destination." It will be adjacent to the existing Yas Island Water Park currently under expansion where a fire broke out last month.
McLeansboro Fire Taking Applications to Fill Your Swimming Pool
This is being done as a community fundraiser rather than purchasing fill water from a commercial water service company.
Proposal puts moratorium on swimming pool construction in Lahaina
The argument by opponents is that swimming pools are wasting the island’s most precious resource.
'I get to be a lifeguard': Spokane NAACP program boosts swim skills for local high school students
As I said on Instagram, one of many things I love about this interview is how humble Alex is about his work and how seriously he takes conveying experiences in a way that makes you, the viewer, FEEL like you are right there with him. He's not just a pretty face - tremendous research and effort goes into researching aspects of the facility and showcasing (for example) aquatic amenities that poolies care about.
See you next week!
Katie Crysdale
Lakeview Aquatic Consultants Ltd.