While operating any aquatics facility you will find a cornucopia of struggles. Waterparks, specifically, take these issues and multiply it to a much larger scale.
Just one of these struggles is disseminating a policy or rule change to subordinate staff efficiently. More often than not, a change comes rapidly as a result of a previous incident, and a quick implementation is needed. Calling a staff meeting before opening often is a natural step.
This approach often leaves staff filling in blanks with their individual judgements. Each staff member could then enforce the policy/rule change differently, causing confusion and frustration to patrons. A reassuring approach to ensure uniformity with implementing such changes is to give the information to the varying levels of staff regularly throughout a day.
Because it may not be feasible for a senior manager to go to each individual employee multiple times, senior lifeguards also could be used to deliver the important information to staff. The senior manager would need to meet with the senior lifeguards multiple times to ensure the information they are giving stays the same (preventing whisper down the lane). These senior lifeguards then go around and reinforce understanding of the new policy/rule. If any uncertainty arises, the staff member can clarify with management and get back to the lifeguard. This way enforcement is kept to a single opinion, and not multiple.
An example of this in action is implementing a new “no non-swimwear rule," meaning a designated swimsuit must be worn in the water and on attractions. Some lifeguards may consider spandex, sports bras for women, mesh shorts or gym shorts and other attire as swim wear. Other lifeguards may see these items as violating the new policy.
Nowadays, the range of materials used in swim wear, and the style of swim wear can range greatly. Depending on why the manager has changed the policy can effect what is restricted and what’s not. Consistency from the start is important in ensuring a successful new policy/rule implementation, making the manager's opinion the voice of the staff.
