Winging And Kicking
As an old-timer in aquatics, I’ve taught literally thousands of hours of swimming lessons. I became a water-safety instructor (WSI) in 1977 and water-safety instructor training (WSIT) in 1984, and have maintained those certifications.
Ready, Set, Swim
Whether done on-site or on a trip, swimming can be one of the most challenging activities to host at camp. Not only does the environment have to be fun and engaging, but swimming must be done safely with large groups of kids—all of whom have varying swim levels.
Camp Administration 101: Guidelines For Swimming
Campers swimming and engaging in other water activities with friends can be the highlight of the summer. However, swimming is also dangerous and should be taken seriously
Evaluating Water Activities
Water is a staple of many camps. Yes, of course, camps provide and encourage drinking water throughout the heat of summer, but water also hosts a number of activities that allow campers to cool off, squeal with delight while playing with friends, and beam with pride while learning a new skill (or even brush up on an old one).
Totally Tubular
You might say that Jeff Walden is a 21st Century Renaissance man, at least in the hybrid world of day camp instruction and the best sports ever created -- surfing and skiing.
Fear Detergent
SOAP (Strategies to Overcoming Aquatic Phobias) and Water is for those afraid to go near or in water. It offers dry-land counseling and teaches strategies to overcome aquatic phobias for all ages in a
Where Have All The Lifeguards Gone?
As a long time pool rat, I’ve noticed a disturbing trend—fewer and fewer teen-agers show any interest, let alone demonstrate a serious approach, to becoming lifeguards and swim instructors.
Specialty Swimming Instruction
Aggghhhhhhhhh!!!!” Sara screams as her parents struggle to get her into her bathing suit for her first swim lesson. She’s terrified of the water, the unfamiliar surroundings, and the change in routine.
24-Hour Swim-A-Thon
Whether you’re a camper, staff member, family of either or a part of the larger community, there is a multitude of lessons to be learned from the camping experience. Perhaps the most powerful lesson a
Water Trails
Winding its way through New York, Vermont, Quebec, New Hampshire and Maine, the new 740-mile Northern Forest Canoe Trail offers both the casual and expert paddler a unique
Aquatic Accessibility
According to the American Journal of Public Health, an estimated 54 million people in the United States were living with a disability in 2005. Considering the average lifespan of both the
Swimming Pool Chemical Technology Automation
The increasing awareness of recreational water illnesses has led to the prolific advancement and acceptance of swimming pool chemical treatment equipment. Today there is a wider acceptance of
Fluid In Motion
The importance of hydraulics in swimming pool/spa design and application has been misunderstood by some aquatic professionals who believe that understanding hydraulics is only necessary when first
Blast Off And Paint!
After 40 layers of paint and bumpy patch jobs, the swimming pool is looking old and tired. A job that used to entail touch-up paint and small fixes has become a battle of putting Band-Aids on chunks of
Swimming Pool Filtration
When beginning any course on filtration, my first question to the class is, “Have you ever walked up to a pool and it looked as if diamonds were jumping off the water?” This imagery of sparkling water is the result
Weighing The Options
The annual operating cost for a typical outdoor 25-meter x 50-meter pool--including water, power, heating and pool chemicals--is about $256,000. The largest expense is natural gas at $184,400 (72 percent
Grade "A” Lifeguard
“As a lifeguard you have six hours of boredom [interrupted] by 30 seconds of terror,” says Mike Howard, operations director for Coney IslandPark in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Sunlite Pool at Coney Island receives
Confessions Of A Pop-Up Queen
As the high school sophomore bobbed in the water, supportive counselors shouted encouragement at her first water-skiing attempt. "Let the boat pull you up! Keep your arms
Safeguarding Aquatic Facilities
The protection and safety of guests at aquatic facilities has gained recent attention with the passing of the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act of 2007 (H.R. 1721). President Bush signed this into law late in 2007 as the first federal pool and spa safety legislation.