September 20, 2024: drool in the pool
Happy Friday!
Fresh off of teaching a Certified Pool Operator (CPO) class in Calgary, I wanted to comment on new facility trends. I don't think we can necessarily extrapolate a wider aquatic industry shift from what I'm seeing, but I do think all three of these things are clearly here to stay.
1) I have now had two customers operate canine aquatic rehabilitation facilities and/or swim clubs, and they're not the only ones: there's nearly a dozen more facilities open or under construction in our province of just 4.8m people. These facilities do not require CPO training because they are not permitted like a normal commercial swimming pool for human usage, but it's beneficial for owners and operators to understand what they're up against. Apparently dog fur makes the pH go down?!
2) Float and/or sensory deprivation and/or isolation tanks have been a trend in the USA for 10 years, but previously hadn't really taken off in Canada outside of niche biohacking culture. However, in 2024, combined with the surging demand for wellness experiences like a Nordic/Scandinavian spa ritual, salt cave, cold plunge or sauna, I can't seem to go a day without getting a targeted Instagram ad for a new, heavily-salted aquatic facility opening (Instagram ads are notoriously not well segmented, so these are across Canada).
Float tanks exist at the fringes of swimming pool regulations, except in provinces/states (see Florida, Ontario, BC, formerly Wisconsin) who have taken a clear stand that they are still a risk for being a vector for infection. (If you heard about the Thermea bacterial outbreak in 2022, it's alleged to have occurred due to deficient salt levels and lack of supplemental sanitizer.) Many operators I've spoken to maintain they are "not pools" and do not require CPO training, so I was very happy to have an operator in class this week who genuinely understood the possible risks of disease transmission.
3) Workplace amenities have become bougie...even in Canada. I had the facility manager for a private corporation with a new building (campus) for employees complete with swimming pool, hot tub, weight room, boxing ring, infrared sauna, relaxation room, etc. provided as part of the overall employee compensation package. Apparently this is no longer just the purview of Silicon Valley tech, and headed to a normal city near you.
In other news this week -
Shen pool slide decals honor Grace Johnson
It's the consequence of employing teenagers that, on multiple occasions, I've had lifeguards get into a major car crash or colleagues whose team members have died. In this particular case, I spent a week at the pool where the girls' deaths (they were lifeguards) hung over the facility in a very tangible way. Recognizing a departed team member is important for the community, and not nearly enough facilities do it.
Legislation Introduced to Make Swimming Lessons More Affordable
If adopted, this law would allow people to submit swimming lessons as a qualifying medical expense to workplace health spend account (HSA) programs, similar to a gym membership. Some Canadian provinces have tried to do something similar with the Prescription to Get Active program, but there was no funding to back it up. It's unclear if some employers would be able to opt out.
National Safe Swimming Recovery Program
The Eastlink Centre in Grande Prairie, AB is participating in a program to provide free lifeguard training, including financial assistance in the form of mileage and subsistence. I'm highlighting this pilot project because not enough aquatic facilities understand the opportunity cost of lifeguard/swim instructor training, whereby a potential candidate can't afford to be without wages for the 100+ hours it takes to earn the qualifications to be employable.
POV: after swimming in 2008
Because we could all use a good laugh, too. If you did anything in the pool in the early 2000s, the double polo and wet hair stains ring true!!
Bill would require swim safety classes in Michigan schools
Michigan continues to see a huge number of drowning fatalities each year on the Great Lakes, so creating a low-budget education component in schools feels like an excellent step in the right direction. Lots of states have tried to go hard with actual swimming lessons legislation (see most recently Florida), and that's just not scalable without a private sector funding partnership.
ICYMI, last week I wrote about why I'm now spending 50% of my non-teaching time on YouTube.
I'm headed to the World Waterpark Association (WWA) show in a few weeks, so please let me know if you plan to be there - I would love to meet up.
All the best.
Katie Crysdale
Lakeview Aquatic Consultants Ltd.