With less than two months left, 2012 is quickly coming to a close, and several events left a mark that won’t soon be forgotten. Among them: The London Olympics, where nearly 10 world records were broken and Michael Phelps ended his swimming career as the most- decorated Olympian ever; the March 15 deadline for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, later extended; and the Sept. 18 announcement that USA Swimming had banned for life longtime elite coach Rick Curl, following an investigation into sexual abuse allegations. But what about some of the headlines you might have missed? Here’s a look back at five little stories that got big attention and lots of feedback from those followingAquatics International via social media.
Marines Salute Water Workout
The U.S. Marine Corps has adopted a low-impact pool running workout. The regimen, known as “water cadence,” now is in place at 15 Corps swimming pools, according to a report in The Marine Corps Times. Workouts as long as 60 minutes are designed to push participants to their limits.
The Scariest Hotel Pool Ever?
The Holiday Inn Shanghai Pudong Kangqiao has such a unique pool, CNN covered the design in a profile. The pool is located atop the 24-story hotel, and one section juts out to the side. A specially constructed glass bottom allows swimmers to look directly down into the street far below.
German Waterpark Bans Women from Slide
After several women were injured, a German waterpark banned female guests from riding one of its high-speed slides. The waterpark, Galaxy Rutschenparadies is part of the Therme Erding sauna complex near Munich. “We are trying to do right by women; we don’t want to discriminate against them,” the manager told The Local, a German news source in English. Still, the story made headlines worldwide.
Bikini Lifeguards
One Chinese waterpark made headlines by reportedly offering to pay female lifeguards more money if they agreed to work in bikinis. The news appeared in several Chinese news publications in August. Reports, which did not name the waterpark, claimed the ladies were offered as much as three times more than the normal pay.
Near-Drowning in Lazy River
A near-drowning at Menlo Aquatic Center raised several concerns in June. The incident happened in Perkasie, Pa., when a 3-year-old girl was found lifeless in the lazy river. Bystanders, one of whom was a volunteer firefighter trained in CPR, were able to revive her while lifeguards called 911, according to reports. The incident raised a discussion among Aquatics International readers over whether pool management or parents were more responsible.
