News Roundup #14, including the 2024 Paris Olympics
If you run an outdoor pool, hang in there: we are less than 30 days away from Labour Day and your reprieve from summer staff shortages.
I don't know about you, but I have been on a steady diet of replaying Olympic Swimming narrated by Byron MacDonald (who I used to work with at the University of Toronto) on CBC Gem, and I must not be the only one: no one seems to be replying to my emails?! We'll see if this week is any different.
ICYMI, some pool-related highlights:
People are alleging the swimming pool is too slow?
Lakeview Aquatic Consultants doesn't endorse pool products or manufacturers, but this time lapse video of the swimming pool construction in La Defense Arena (after the Taylor Swift concerts!) is pretty amazing if you've never seen anything like this before in our Certified Pool Operator (CPO) classes.
I have plans to discuss these things plus much more (inc. the filthy Seine, Canada's medal scorecard, etc.) in an upcoming Olympic recap interview for YouTube with my friend, Coach Dave Ling. If you follow me on Instagram, we recorded an IG Live about Tokyo swimming back in 2021.
Our latest release on YouTube.
Summer pool season doesn't stop just because of the Olympics. Here are some other headlines that crossed my desk last week:
See photos from Adel Family Aquatic Center's Cardboard Boat Regatta
Do you cardboard boat races or egg drop competitions at your aquatic facility? These are good, old fashioned fun: it's an inexpensive way to get kids through the doors and off their phones. All it requires is a bit advanced planning to save or collect cardboard. As a bonus, there is almost no impact on pool water chemistry if the wet cardboard is removed from the pool before it breaks down complete.
Sex assaults at pools and rec centres can rise in summer, warn Edmonton police
I asked people on Instagram how they felt about this headline, and I got a lot of different opinions about whether or not there has been an actual increase in crime at public pools or increased awareness leading to increased reporting.
Episode 359 – Lessons from CNC24
I enjoy dipping into the Attraction Pros podcast when I see an episode that connects with my interests. It's primarily focused on dryland activities (amusement parks, zoos, aquaria, family fun centers, etc.) but there's usually takeaways we can apply to the aquatic industry.
In this episode, I particularly enjoyed one of the host's discussing a recent road trip and the impact that staff members had on amplifying the facility/amenity experience during a simple security briefing.
We'll see you next week.
Katie Crysdale
Lakeview Aquatic Consultants Ltd.