September 2009 Table of Contents

When Aquatica, SeaWorld’s waterpark, opened last spring it was the first major new park addition to the Orlando area in nearly a decade. Read more

One of several theme parks in Australia’s Gold Coast, Wet’n’Wild Water World is Australia’s largest waterpark. Read more

One of three family-owned Schlitterbahn waterparks in Texas, the Bavarian-inspired waterpark resort in New Braunfels includes more than 15 water slides, seven children’s water playgrounds and a stationary surf machine. Read more

Operators say Caribbean Bay is the biggest indoor and outdoor water park in the world Read more

Located within Vivaldi Park resort, which is best known for skiing, Ocean World is an Egyptian-themed indoor/outdoor waterpark that includes several distinct zones to entice all types of patrons. Read more

When industry pioneer George Millay first opened Wet ’n Wild more than three decades ago, the idea was essentially to create a theme park with water rides. Read more

Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon is one of two Walt Disney World Resort waterparks. Read more

Thanks to detailed theming, it’s always winter at Disney’s Blizzard Beach waterpark. Set on the slopes of fictional Mt. Gushmore, it’s the newest of the two Walt Disney World Resort waterparks. Read more

Part of the Chime Long entertainment complex, the tropically themed Chime Long waterpark is the largest waterpark in Asia. Read more

Tokyo Summerland is known for its many pools and attractions, including Adventure Dome, a covered space featuring a wave pool and open year ’round Read more

Located on the beach of Porto das Dunas, in the Brazilian state of Ceará, Beach Park, includes Aqua Park, one of the few waterparks in the world facing the ocean. Read more

Located between two top hotels on the shore of the Arabian Sea, Wild Wadi Waterpark is the only Arabian-themed amusement venue in the United Arab Emirates Read more

Situated on more than 30 acres of Great Smoky Mountains woodland, Dollywood’s Splash Country opened in 2001 and features more than a dozen aquatic rides and attractions — all designed to complement the area’s natural beauty. Read more

Celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, Water Country USA is the mid-Atlantic coast’s largest waterpark. Read more

Six Flags Hurricane Harbor features more than 26 rides, slides and pools. Read more

Designed in harmony with the natural beauty of the surroundings, including Mt. Sorak, Sorak Waterpia blends the relaxation of a European spa with the excitement of a traditional waterpark. Read more

Nestled in the desert community of San Dimas, Calif., east of Los Angeles, is Raging Waters waterpark. Read more

With 96 acres of slides and attractions, Splish Splash includes rides and attractions for all types of guests. Read more

Adventure Island is Tampa Bay’s only waterpark. Located across the street from Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, the 30-acre waterpark features a combination of high-speed rides and low-key attractions in a tropical Key West-inspired atmosphere. Read more

Operators say Schlitterbahn Galveston Island is the world’s first convertible waterpark. Read more

Wet’n Wild Emerald Pointe is North Carolina’s largest waterpark. Read more

The tropical paradise-themed World Waterpark is a 5-acre indoor waterpark located in West Edmonton Mall, North America’s largest entertainment and shopping center. Read more

Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, Hyland Hills Water World is perhaps the first publicly owned, full-sized waterpark. Read more

Residing in the heart of Wisconsin Dells — the waterpark capital of the world — Noah’s Ark has 49 water slides, two wave pools, two endless rivers, four children’s water-play areas, the Paradise Lagoon activity pool, three family tube rides, minigolf, ret Read more

Six Flags White Water — the Southeast’s largest waterpark — celebrates its 25th anniversary this year Read more

Headlines around the world call attention to global warming, drought conditions, carbon footprint reduction and going “green. Read more

With summer nearly over, the aquatics industry is on track for a sad milestone: 2009 may be one of the deadliest drowning years on record. Every day, it seems a new tragedy makes headlines. Read more

I’d been in aquatics for what I considered to be a long time and had just taken a job at a great new facility Read more

Each year, I provide awareness training to new and returning lifeguards to help them become aware of potential sex offenders Read more

USA Swimming has named its 2009-2010 National team. Read more

In the months since the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act went into effect, problems have come up and nationwide compliance is still far from complete. Read more

is hosting a virtual conference to help aquatics professionals deal with today’s new economic realities. Read more

In spite of the recession, aquatics facilities have raised more than $300,000 for cancer research and other charitable causes. Read more

In a review of 477 personal injury lawsuits filed against Orlando, Fla’s. three largest theme park companies, the Orlando Sentinel found approximately half were slip-and-fall incidents. Read more

The pressure to compete is tough and several well-established waterparks are struggling. Read more

USA Swimming has named its the 2009-2010 National Team. Read more

Several communities facing budget cuts found strategies to maintain aquatic operations last summer. Read more

Shawn DeRosa, JD, has replaced industry veteran Tom Griffiths as manager of aquatic facilities at Penn State University in State College, Pa. Read more

By late October temperatures have cooled off, kids are back in school and summer is a distant memory. Read more

A new survey launched by the Department of Kinesiology at University of North Carolina- Charlotte aims to collect information directly from lifeguards regarding their responses to water-related incidents. Read more

California’s legislature has passed a highly anticipated bill to address the Pool and Spa Safety Act, and is moving forward on other legislation likely to impact the aquatics industry. Read more

With record cool summer temperatures, operators down the East Coast and through the Midwest reported decreased attendance for the usually hot months. Read more

Several months after the new head of the Consumer Product Safety Commission warned against noncompliance with the Pool and Spa Safety Act, the agency has officially begun nationwide compliance, and may be stepping up its enforcement efforts. Read more

Michael Phelps is truly a champion. Read more

Over the years, I have experienced a great deal of criticism from guests, and even fellow waterpark managers, for our policies requiring life jackets for younger guests. Read more

What we generally refer to today as the “core,” Joseph Pilates called the “powerhouse.” Read more