nac08

Addressing H2O Quality @ Splash Pads

Is your water brown by 2:30? Can you keep chlorine in your splash pad? This session, "Splash Pads: A Water-Quality Nightmare--Special Challenges and Solutions," addressed the challenges presented by splash pads and how aquatic facility operators can explore and find solutions on how to control circulation and also to learn minimum daily operation standards.

Presenters Richard Young, Aquatic Commerical, Saratoga, Calif., and Kent Williams, Newcastle, Calif., identified that splash pads are used by children and not adults. This then presents the problems that all AFOs must face: circulation, water treatement, drains, reservoir design, and so forth.

Young and Williams stated that "if there's water, then we've got issues." People tend to think that splash pads are actually safer than swimming pools, but it is actually quite false. Algae grows in areas that are not properly and regularly chlorinated, feature water may see more people first before it actually sees chemicals, and water is not stirred up enough in the water reservoir, which can then lead to brown water coming out of your splash pad.

Cyanuric acid and its effects and levels were discussed, specifically how it should not be used as it affects oxidation and slows the kill rate of bacteria. Participants learned the suggestions on proper ratios for chemical automation and how to address the special challenges that occur. "Treat all feature water before it returns," said Young.

A critical issue for anyone who attends a waterpark, whether it be an AFO, a lifeguard, or a customer.

A Day of Learning

Friday kicked off two days of intensive learning opportunities for NAC participants, with education sessions covering topics from staff training and management to maintenance and operations to liability and safety.

Friday afternoon's "The Eye of the Beholder" session espoused the benefits of developing a "Secret Swimmer" program at your aquatic facility, a group of clandestine individuals who can give you information about your facility and staff: customer service, user perception, and valuable advice. During a simultaneous session, participants learned the nuances of the "Lifeguard's Eye"--its key components and how it is able to detect a distressed swimmer in crisis.

Sessions--covering topics from recruiting and retaining aquatic staff to incorporating multi-sport activities (such as triathlons) into aquatic programming--continued on Saturday. All in all, it's safe to say that participants left NAC08 better informed--and happier--than when they arrived.

Dealing With Pedophiles @ Pools

Did you know that more than 80 percent of victims of molestation or sexual abuse know their molestor? Or that fewer than 5 percent of molestations are reported?

The key to preventing these situations, said speaker Barbie Bylsma-Houghton of the city of Commerce, Calif., who presented the session "Child Protection Training for Mandated Reporters" on Friday, is "developing an environment that puts the offender, not the child, at risk. Screening and supervision are the two key strategies."

Pools are key targets, said Bylsma-Houghton, because many times kids are there without parental supervision. In addition to "two-deep recreation supervision," where two adults are always required to be with participants, she advocated the following steps for dealing with situations of potential molestation:

1. Let the suspect know that you've got your eye on them.
2. Identify your concerns to the suspect.
3. Explain why his conduct was inappropriate.
4. Give the suspect specific instructions.
5. Notify the facility supervisor immediately about the situation.

It is incumbent upon agencies, Bylsma-Houghton said, to train staff to recognize and report suspected abuse or molestation. This training includes communicating recommended rules and procedures, explaining typical molestation patterns and methods, and defining the ongoing effects and repercussions of abuse.

Award Winners Make a Splash

Following this morning's keynote address, Juliene Hefter, NRPA National Aquatic Branch immediate past president, congratulated and recognized this year's NAC Scholarship and NAB Award recipients. Among the winners was the city of Omaha (Neb.) Parks, Recreation and Public Property Department (pictured at left).

The 2008 winners:

NAC Scholarships

Jennifer Bistrack, Annapolis (Md.) Recreation and Parks
Candace Ellsworth, Derby Recreation Commission, Mulvane, Kan.
Todd Leland, City of Long Beach (Calif.)
Leo Mota, City of Lakeland (Fla.)
Katharine Racicot, City of Bakersfield (Calif.) Recreation and Parks
Kathy Willcox, City of Woodburn (Ore.) Community Services Dept.

NAB Awards

Aquatic Safety: Raleigh (N.C.) Parks and Recreation

Distinguished Aquatic Service: James Wheeler, City of Oakland (Calif.)

Excellence in Aquatics

Class I: Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation, Lawrenceville, Ga.

Class II: City of Omaha (Neb.) Parks, Recreation and Public Property Dept.

Class III: City of Roseville (Calif.) Parks and Recreation Dept.

Class IV: Arlington Heights (Ill.) Park District

Class V: Geneva (Ill.) Park District

Class VI: Itasca (Ill.) Waterpark

NRPA would like to congratulate all of the 2008 NAB Award and NAC Scholarship recipients.

Veatch for the Stars

Easily one of the most inspirational keynote addresses was delivered during Friday morning's NAC Opening Session. Chauncey Veatch, the 2002-03 National Teacher of the Year, who became a teacher in 1995 after ending his active-duty service in the U.S. Army, spellbound participants with his unique and encouraging relationships with his students, many of whom are non-English speakers, have special needs, or are involved with gangs or drugs.

Veatch, whose mission is to be a "dream-maker, not a dream-breaker" for his students, told participants that two themes dominate his daily classroom philosophy: literacy and leadership. A powerful force in California's Coachella Valley, his belief in his students' ability to succeed was palpable.

Listen to an excerpt of his delivery here:

Exhibit Hall: New Friday Hours

Please note that the NAC Exhibit Hall will open at 10 a.m., immediately following the General Session, on Friday, March 28.

Hall Opening Goes Swimmingly

Some of the nation's leading vendors offering the latest products and services for aquatic professionals could be found at the grand opening of the NAC Exhibit Hall last night. Attendees, who could interact with the vendors, learn about their products, and even make purchases, enjoyed themselves. Take a look at the action below:

Speaking of . . .

Public speaking. What do you do? How do you learn to get over the nervousness and the sweaty palms? A handful of attendees came to the "Sweaty Palms: The Neglected Art of Public Speaking" session to learn how they can better present to their staff, boards, councils, commissions, and others. Attendees stated their goals and hopes on overcoming the fears of public speaking.

"Be yourself," said Juliene Hefter, CPRP, deputy director of the Wisconsin Park and Recreation Association. "Don't try to be anyone you are not."

It was an intimate setting where the people were grouped in small breakout sessions and discussed who they were, what they did, and what they liked about their job. The first step was to present these facts to others in the group. They then discussed different aspects with presenters of how to make it easy to speak: how to dress, practicing before the mirror, and, most importantly, being knowledgeable about your subject. Many attendees stated that they were uncomfortable in dealing with their councils and in dealing with opposition.

As the session continued, participants became more at ease with one another and the presenters were very successful in getting the attendees to speak in a more professional manner.

Mandating Safer Pools and Spas

Last December, Congress approved the first national pool-safety legislation, the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act, which includes a requirement for states to demand safety devices be installed on all pools. It was the key message behind this afternoon's session "Legislative Issues: The New Pool and Spa Safety Act and Suction Entrapment Avoidance," presented by Steve Barnes.

"We deal with these hazards every day," said Barnes, chairman of the Association of Pool and Spa Professionals' Technical Committee," we just have to learn how to deal with them appropriately."

The legislation will provide grants to states to enable the required installation of enclosure fences, safer drains and drain covers, and vacuum-release systems within one year to prevent drowning and injuries. It also provides $29 million in funding for the Consumer Product Safety Commission to implement the law, as well as additional funding for education.

Thanks to Our Sponsors

Taking in the aquatic facilities outside the convention hall doors, this seemed to be a particularly opportune time to thank not only our host city of Palm Springs, Calif., for a spectacular conference, but also our sponsors: Water Technology Inc., Pulsar System, and H2O Innovations. Thanks to all of you for your support and contributions to a fantastic event.

Fore Me, Fore You

The sun was just peeking its head over the mountain tops that surround downtown Palm Springs this morning when some 60 golfers boarded the bus to participate in the NAC Golf Tournament at Desert Willow Golf Resort, just a short drive away.

No matter the early-morning departure; these guys and gals didn't seem to mind. Of course, the fact that they were on their way to tee off at one of Golf Digest's "Places to Play" probably didn't hurt matters any. In addition to outstanding golf in a stunning setting, players were treated to a BBQ lunch and received a Nike goodie bag that included sports-specific clothing and balls. Play on!

What's New in Aquatics?

"A lot of communities," said Douglass Whiteaker, of Water Technology Inc., "have the dream of building a new aquatic facility, and residents start to ask, 'Why don't we have facilities like our neighbors?'" There is a process to guide them from vision to reality, he continued.

That process was discussed in detail during Thursday morning's "What's New in Aquatics: The Tale of Aquatic Design From Vision to Reality." The process takes communities and agencies from defining mission and vision to determining financial feasibility to sustainable operations at your new facility.

"Design, feasibility, and operations," said Whiteaker, "go hand in hand throughout this process."

We were able to catch up with Whiteaker during a break in the action to ask him a few questions. Listen to what he had to say:

Hangin' With the King

Saying the 2008 NAC Local Host Committee has outdone itself would be a major understatement--especially judging from Wednesday evening's social event. No, it wasn't held at a restaurant. And, no, it wasn't held at an aquatic facility.

It was held at the Elvis Honeymoon Hideaway, the site where, in May 1967, Elvis and Priscilla Presley spent their honeymoon night. And if that's not unique enough, there were drag queens calling a bingo game and an Elvis impersonator. And, of course, there was lots of fun, good eats, and big smiles.

Well done, host committee. It's going to be tough to top this one!

NAC08: Program Highlights

Register today for NRPA’s National Aquatic Conference & Exposition, the premier event for aquatic professionals. This year’s highlights include:

Keynote speaker Chauncey Veatch, the 2002-2003 National Teacher of the Year. Part of Veatch’s mission as a teacher is to be a “dream-maker for my students, not a dream-breaker.”

An exciting exposition. Attention, exhibitors: Reach key decision-makers with your products and services. Visit the 2008 exhibit and sponsorship Web site and gain access to the event floor plan, booth pricing, an interactive exhibitor contract, 2007 attendee demographics and much more.

The National Aquatic Management School. A three-year program, NAMS is designed to provide aquatic professionals structured curriculum, specific learning outcomes, nationally recognized faculty and essential tools and resources.

For details, visit the NRPA Web site.

Welcome to the NAC08 Blog

The National Recreation and Park Association's National Aquatic Conference & Exposition is the premier nationwide event for aquatic professionals. Drawing hundreds of attendees annually from all areas of aquatics, NAC provides attendees with the tools, concepts, and resources to be effective and successful in the challenging aquatics environment. With the combination of leading-edge, peer-reviewed education programming and a powerful exposition, attendees get the knowledge needed to apply current trends and best practices towards more cost-effective, efficient, and safety-oriented operations.

NRPA is pleased to offer this NAC blog as a service to the parks and recreation community. Staff and volunteers will offer insights and news on the activities taking place at the 2008 National Aquatic Conference.

For those of you who will join us in Palm Springs, Calif., March 24-30, this site will serve as a great location for reading up on sessions, events, and activities you've missed. For those of you who are not able to attend the conference, you can participate in the event, no matter where you are. Read about the event and post comments and thoughts to any of our posts.