November 19, 2025: IAAPA Expo
Greetings from the IAAPA Expo in Orlando!
I planned to attend every other year (because it's a 15-hour trek to Florida from Calgary), but a number of factors conspired to bring me again this year, and I'm very happy to be here!
The week started off at the inaugural Water Park Day at H2O Island and Universal's Volcano Bay (you can see my photos here & here.) A big emphasis in the education sessions was the proliferation of adults-only and evening/nighttime events. This is a trend I've reported repeatedly in this newsletter over the last year. As one speaker put it, "This is new revenue because these guests will never otherwise come to our aquatic facility during regular operations." We'd all do well to consider how we can invite them into our facilities for 2026.
The last two days have been a mix of brand dinners and the tradeshow floor (more on Instagram later today). This is the only show in North America I'm aware of where you can sit down with international brands like Polin, Polgun, Arihant, Murphy's Wave, Porviva, etc. and compare them to the North American brands from Empex to Life Floor.
In the current economic & political climate where people have strong reasons to purchase from one company/place or another, it's important that I be aware of what is available at all price points, not just the obvious or easy options.
Why do we say no to an international water slide manufacturer? Why do we say no to a new safety flooring made in the USA? Why do we say no to a different style of lifeguard uniform? Why do we say no to a proven product, but one with no installation in our area?
If the decision is fully validated by careful research and a decision making matrix, then great - own that decision. But if you're just saying NO to go along to get along? Saying no might be done 100% arbitrarily and out of habit.
I still have another full day at the tradeshow, including two more water park-specific events, so I'll be sure to include my key takeaways in either the November 26 newsletter or via a YouTube vlog.
Here's all the interesting news that crossed my desk this week. As always, I try to include a variety of topics, but some weeks skew one way simply based on world events and cultural moments.
Boy drowns in display home swimming pool in Victoria's north
A new water safety hazard I'd never previously considered has now been unlocked.
'No warning signs' on beach where dad and son drowned
Swimming teacher twins, 80, 'feel at home' at pool
Couple gets married in YMCA pool where they first met
These are the two feel-good stories you need in your life this week!
Opinion: The nicest pool in the South Coast is underutilized
"I don’t see any (good) reason why organizational form (i.e., profit versus nonprofit) should make a difference in renting the pool."
Abbotsford Centre renamed as Rogers Forum
Sponsorship is no longer just the domain of the private, for-profit sector. Many organizations are looking to mitigate increased operating costs by selling what they already have: eyeballs who walk through the space every single day.
A Brighter Future for PSN and Aquatics Int’l
Both magazines have been aquired by Kenilworth Media.
Letters to the Editor: Get large businesses, foundations involved to support pool
Newport man pleads guilty to child cruelty after grandson nearly drowns in pool
"He was sentenced to one to two years in prison on the charge of cruelty to a child, and up to six months in prison on a charge of reckless endangerment."
Woman sentenced in toddler drowning death released after guilty plea withdrawn
She was sentenced to six to nine years in prison.
Influencer Emilie Kiser is sharing more about layers of protection for drowning prevention on social media.
Three civilians honoured for bravery during BC summer drowning incident
Heartbreaking details emerge after 3 Tenerife tourists dead in beach tragedy
"Saturday is being described as the "most tragic black day" in the island's recent history, with three deaths and 15 injuries in just five hours."
Provision of heated water in public swimming pools starts today
I thought this was kind of unique press release: the outdoor pools in Hong Kong will now be heated since temps have fallen below 23C.
Family fights for stricter Florida laws on pool features after daughter's drowning death
Young father remains in coma after nearly drowning; good Samaritans thanked for rescue
In hospital deaths from morbidity (complications) of submersion are not tracked as drowning statistics. Further, someone could "survive" a drowning incident, but sustain lifelong injuries that severely impact their quality of life and ability to conduct activities of daily living.
CPA cautions against online purchase of inflatable neck rings for children
Calgary father dies trying to save daughter, 7, from massive wave at California beach
Heroic Dad Dives Over Fence to Rescue Toddler in Pool
This is an older video, but it's still one of the greatest on-camera backyard pool rescues and worth a reshare if you're a water safety advocate in your friend & family circles on social media.
Registration for our last CPO class of the year (December 8 - 11, 2025) will close on Monday, December 1. We have no Zoom CPO classes scheduled December 11, 2025 - January 25, 2026 but are available for private group bookings in person or via Zoom.
Adieu from Orlando.
Katie Crysdale
Lakeview Aquatic Consultants Ltd.
PS. The audio version of the November 12, 2025 newsletter is available here.