News Roundup #11
With summer fully underway in the Northern Hemisphere, I just want to go on record as saying that this entire news roundup could be the dozens of fatal & non-fatal drownings showing up in my daily Google News Alerts. It's not that I don't care, but the reality it's an unfortunate cycle we see repeated in our industry every summer.
11-year-old boy drowns after inflated tube flips in B.C. lake
Every year it seems an increasing number of people experience fatal drowning after playing on or using inflatables in deep water where they cannot swim. In light of this recent incident in BC, I really appreciated the safety on this promotional pool float being sold by Chik-Fil-A that clearly states.
Phyllis Dewar Outdoor Pool now offering free sunscreen
This is a great idea, but I do wonder how much sunscreen will end up in the swimming pool? Applying it to your skin right when you pay admission doesn't necessarily leave enough time for it to be absorbed before getting into the water. Without proper signage or education, I think there's the potential for very cloudy pool water and lots of sunburns as bathers expect more sun protection than they're actually getting.
World’s Longest NON-STOP Swim*
✔️ 510km (317 miles)
✔️ The Yukon River (Canada)
✔️ No stopping, sleeping or touching land!
✔️ Water temperature 9°C/48.°F
Pending third-party verification, Ross Edgley - an extreme/high performance athlete - is claiming to have swum the world's longest non-stop swim in extremely cold water. This story was sent to me by an industry colleague, and I will never understand WHY some people feel called to perform these huge feats of endurance.
'If I didn't discover mermaiding, I wouldn't be here'
Mermaiding made a resurgence in the swimming pool industry about 10 years ago as companies like FinFun realized they could design monofins with beautiful colours and patterns. Mermaiding is now also taking off as a personal business venture - I recently stopped at the mermaid bar in Great Falls, Montana - as well as a mental health coping mechanism.
Swim with Princesses July 21 at the Outdoor Pool
I'm often asked what are some easy and inexpensive ways to bring in new users to your pool? A themed swim like this is a no brainer. Someone on staff definitely has a stash of Halloween costumes or there may even be someone in your community who offers princess birthday party services. Hire them to visit your pool or barter for their services in trade for free advertising.
If you don't have a plan for team training in July, why not checkout this great planning webinar by ALIVE Solutions? It's part of the 2020 POOLaide Webinar playlist.
Thanks so much for being here!
Katie Crysdale
Lakeview Aquatic Consultants Ltd.