October 15, 2025: Sexual harassment in aquatics survey
Greetings,
If you've worked in aquatics for any length of time, you know that you can arrive at work thinking your day will go in one direction, and it ends up going in completely another! Every day is entertainment, and rather than fight it, here's my newsletter - that was mostly written several days ago - being finalized at 7 o'clock at night after a very rich - but long - day.
Recently (I'm going to be vague on purpose), I spoke with an industry colleague who stated they believe they were terminated from their job for reporting that their male supervisor had "tapped the butts" of female aquatic staff - in bathing suits - with a clipboard on different occasions. The manager apologized, i.e. acknowledged one incident, and denied two other incidents. My colleague believes they were terminated when they persisted with HR regarding growing discontent amongst their aquatic staff due to lack of action.
I want to explore the topic of sexual harassment in aquatic workplaces in a future newsletter, so I'd appreciate if you could please complete this anonymous survey if you have any personal experiences to share. Please also feel welcome to recirculate the link with anyone in your aquatic network. The fact that the above type of behaviour is (still) happening in 2025 makes me think there's something out there that we probably need to be talking about, kind of like my lifeguard injuries & fatalities presentation.
I try not to provide too many articles from paid resources for free, but I caught up on a stack of WWA Magazines recently, and it made sense to share some of my favourites as we go into the WWA Show in Orlando next week.
You and your business: Keeping an eye on things
Nigeria's Sunrise Waterpark
I love that they recognized at least 25% of guests may not know how to swim, so they chose to incorporate dryland activities (likes ropes courses) at their park.
Waterbomb Bali's Eco-Quest
I love that they placed a huge emphasis on not destroying natural flora during construction. They also have a huge commitment to waste diversion; an emphasis on offering local, traditional foods and unique services for parents such as manicures & massage.
I also love Jason Feifer's weekly newsletter. This one is particularly good for those of us who just need to get started: The Most Important Word is “Yes”
I don't want to say it was a slow news week because there's still 20+ articles below, but no big event or theme comes to mind.
Disney pairs aggressive discounts with small price increases at US parks. Here’s why
As someone who's literally going to Walt Disney World (WDW) this weekend before the World Waterpark Association (WWA) conference, and was already horrified at the $400 USD/person price tag for a 4-day Park Hopper Pass with military discount and no meals (I literally just went on a cruise to Mexico for that price?!) I completely agree with the New York Times and Matt Belloni on this episode of The Town (starting at 11:50~) that this is a bridge too far & likely the last time I will ever go to WDW.
Fayetteville mother seeks answers, justice after daughter drowns at unlicensed daycare
This is a new one, not the Bronx story we shared last week.
'Tragedy waiting to happen': Renewed calls for ban on unfenced temporary pools
Lots of people think inflatable or temporary pools are harmless, but it only takes a few inches of water to drown.
AHS orders Cochrane day spa to close cold plunge tub for operating with no permit
A basin with cold water (cold plunge) is still a 'pool', at least here in an Alberta, and must follow regulatory guidance. It would only be if it's an ice bath (bath tub + cold water + ice) for a single person, dumped after each use, that wouldn't require regulation under provincial swimming pool regulations.
Abbotsford seeks resident input on swimming pool strategy
The bizarre link between Nicolas Cage movies and swimming pool deaths
Lifeguards: Phuket’s first and last defence against tourist drownings
The author alleges drowning fatalities are not tracked, and nothing is being done to warn tourists about dangerous surf conditions during monsoon season.
Pharrell Williams Celebrates Black Surfing at Virginia Wave Pool
YMCA looks to operate Harry Bailey Aquatic Centre once renos finish
Who remembers my newsletter from earlier this year regarding the YMCA trying to take over the SLS Centre in Cochrane?
Proposed Vancouver Aquatic Centre seeks height, density relaxations
In America’s Cities, Saunas Are Becoming the Hottest Social Spot
I'm definitely seeing this to an extent in Canada with places like Offline Wellness Club promoting contrast therapy as a way to get "offline." I also recently got an Instagram ad for Alfa Club coming to Oakville, Ontario which will include barbering.
What do saunas have to do with aquatics? In some jurisdictions, when they're paired with basins or pools, they may be inspected or regulated more (differently) than as a personal service in a dry gym or day spa.
Here's a few other articles on the topic because I am currently living and breathing Nordic spas - including saunas, cold plunge, etc. - for the foreseeable future.
Sauna Market in US to Grow by USD 151.3 Million from 2025-2029
NYC's tech in-crowd is making this cold-plunge and sauna studio the hottest spot in town (click here to read if the original appears paywalled)
Sweating and Storytelling in a Williamsburg Sauna
Get Your Sweat On: The Benefits of a Sauna
Finland's obsession with saunas is going global, but are they any good for you?
Aufguss: the wacky wellness ritual taking over European spas
I have a client bringing Aufguss to Alberta next month. I will report back once I see it in person.
Home Saunas Are The Next Big Thing
I would like to watch TV in my sauna, please & thank you.
Katie Crysdale
Lakeview Aquatic Consultants Ltd.
PS. A video/audio version of last week's newsletter is available here.
PPS. If you are at WWA next week and want to meet up, please connect with me by hitting reply on this email! I'd love to catch up with you in person. I am arriving in Orlando early & staying late.