Make A Programming Splash
Dip in the pool at your park or camp becoming old hat? Inflatables eliciting ho-hums instead of squeals of delight?
And the relay race is on!
Why not make a big splash with a little friendly competition, like they did in Ridgewood, N.J., this summer?
In partnership with Commercial Recreation Specialists (CRS), the city's Graydon Pool hosted its first official Wibit tournament in late July.
Utilizing the pool’s new Wibit Aquatrack, the “2012 Wibit 50-Meter Splash” featured teams of five participating in a relay race across the floating challenge course.
Offering musical entertainment, a cookout, and prizes worth up to $200, the city’s goal was to engage not only the younger generation, but to entice “big kids” from high school age on up to find the fun again at the local swimming pond.
“There hadn’t been much change over the last 50 years to Graydon pool,” explains Steve Diamond, who has been the pool’s director for the past two decades.
“We didn’t really have anything for kids to do other than swim in the pond and jump off the diving board.”
Since the Wibit installation in 2011, Graydon Pool has seen significant change. “In the summer, Wibit sign-up lists fill quickly every day,” says Diamond.
“We also have noticed more external community groups and out-of-town residents purchasing day passes to use the Wibit course, from day camps, to the local YMCA, and swim lesson groups…and the lifeguards love it just as much as the younger kids do!”
The Wibit 50-Meter Splash generated a lot of community interest, with registration sheets “flying out the door all month” according to Sean Martyn, the event’s coordinator. With the turnout a success, Martyn assures it will be the first of many annual relay and community Wibit events throughout the coming seasons.
Commercial Recreation Specialists, headquartered in Verona, Wisc., has local representatives in New Jersey, and serves customers across the United States and the Caribbean.
With over 40 years of combined industry experience, CRS is not only an equipment supplier for select vendors, but also offers design, planning, installation, and operations services.