Latest news with #waterpark
Daily Mail
6 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Travel expert reveals top tips for staying safe at waterparks - from how to avoid a waterslide wedgie to the dangers of leaving chlorine on skin
A trip to a waterpark is an essential part of summer for many families - whether holidaying abroad or in the UK. From splashing in a pool to riding the rapids, the popular attractions are often packed with fun activities. However, there are some hidden dangers to consider when trying to keep the family safe. Travel expert Oliver Brendon has revealed the often overlooked things that are vital when visiting a waterpark. Though slipping down a waterslide at full-speed and crashing into a refreshing pool of water at the end might sound fun, it might not be a positive experience for all. Small injuries like 'painful grazes' and awkward 'wedgies' can cause enough discomfort to ruin a day out. Oliver explains, 'It might sound like a playground joke, but wedgies on waterslides can actually cause minor injuries. 'Children, and adults alike, can end up with painful grazes or cuts from not keeping their legs crossed properly on the way down. 'The speed and pressure of the water can really catch you off guard and leave you feeling uncomfortable for the rest of the day. 'To avoid this, it only takes a few seconds to remind your child to cross their legs and hold that position, but it can make all the difference. 'It's one of those things you laugh about later, but it's definitely worth preventing in the first place.' Another important factor to consider when splashing in a pool all day is the impact of chlorine on skin. Oliver warns that leaving the otherwise useful chemical on our bodies for too long could cause harm. He adds, 'I understand the instinct to dry off, grab a snack, and head home after a long day, but skipping the post-pool rinse-off can cause problems later. 'Chlorine left on children's skin can be really irritating, especially if your child has any sensitivities. 'A quick rinse at the showers near the pool is all it takes to avoid this and it makes a big difference. 'It's a small step that can prevent itching and complaints later in the day.' One important consideration that Oliver flags is how important the colour of your child's swimming costume is. Certain colours aren't very visible in water and the travel expert recommends sticking to bright, bold options. He says, 'It's not something many parents think about, but the colour of your child's swimsuit really does matter when it comes to safety. 'Blue and green tend to blend into the water, making your child harder to see, especially in a wave pool or when things get busy. 'Brighter colours like pink and yellow, particularly if they are neon, stand out far more clearly. 'As a parent, it gives you a bit of peace of mind knowing your child is easy to spot. It also really helps lifeguards if they ever need to scan a crowded area.' Oliver's final piece of advice is how to avoid losing a child at the waterpark, which can often be busy and crowded. He recommends identifying a 'meeting point' where the children can easily find if they ever stray away from the family. The expert explains, 'With so many people around and lots going on, it's surprisingly easy for children to become separated from their parents at a pool or waterpark. That moment of panic is awful. 'To avoid it, I suggest families set a clear meeting point as soon as they arrive, somewhere easy to find and explain to kids. Tell your child that if they lose sight of you, they must go straight to that spot and stay there. 'It takes all the panic out of the situation and can help provide a calm and simple resolution to an otherwise stressful moment.'
Washington Post
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Washington Post
How to survive water park season with savings, safety and sanity
Parents, consider this your warning: A water park visit is probably in your near future. Spending your Saturday simmering in industrial-strength chlorine may not top your dream itinerary, but you'll be among the tens of millions of people wading into wave pools in the name of childhood joy. And with the planet turning up the heat, the splash scene is expanding: 23 new parks will open in 2025, according to hospitality consulting firm Hotel and Leisure Advisors. So you might as well go in with eyes wide open and SPF 50 at the ready. Whether you're braving the body slides, pretending to relax in the lazy river or just trying to keep your kid from licking the handrail (again), consider this your survival guide for splashing smarter, not harder. Alex Ojeda has turned getting soaked into a full-time job. As a bona fide water park influencer with 15 million social media followers, he's splashed his way through 50 of the wildest water parks on the planet. He's braved beasts like the world's tallest waterslide at Qatar's Meryal Waterpark, a nearly minute-long vertical drop that looks like a dare from the devil himself. These days, Ojeda's expertise isn't just viral, it's practical: Royal Caribbean hired him to help design its Perfect Day Mexico water park. One thing he's learned? Those safety rules plastered on signs and shouted by lifeguards aren't just for show. 'In the U.S., I never get scared about an injury because here everything is about lawsuit prevention,' Ojeda says. That's not to say accidents can't happen. Something as simple as disregarding weight limits can compromise balance, increasing the risk of a tube tipping and causing serious harm. James Harhi, founder of lifeguard training company StarGuard ELITE, says 'the biggest mistake people make is thinking their kid can swim, but not realizing how much energy they're burning all day.' In Harhi's experience, most rescues happen when little swimmers get fatigued. That's why StarGuard ELITE always urges the parks they consult with to offer free life vests. But the hardest truth to hear? 'The biggest danger we deal with is parents scrolling instead of watching their kid,' he says. The real secret to surviving a day at the water park isn't just bravery — it's paying attention. Lines? You'll wait in them. That epic ride your kid's been hyping up for weeks? Might be closed for maintenance. And that postcard-perfect sky? Could be dumping rain by lunch. Water parks are a lot of things, but predictable isn't one of them. To dodge the weather drama altogether, skip the skies and head indoors. That's the whole idea behind the Great Wolf Lodge empire, 23 American resorts that draw roughly 13 million people annually, according to spokesman Jason Lasecki. Kept at a toasty 84 degrees year-round, the brand is just one option in a growing universe of climate-controlled water parks, which Hotel and Leisure Advisors says will expand by five this year. If you have thrill-thirsty teens, a fast pass might save the day. Like theme parks, many water parks now offer skip-the-line perks. At Splash Country in Dollywood, guests can grab a TimeSaver H2O pass for $55 and get priority access to eight rides. For unlimited speedy entrances all day long, that'll be $70. As for avoiding poolside meltdowns over closed slides, your best bet is to call ahead or check a park's website to confirm which attractions are up and running, according to Todd Andrus, a marketing executive for management firm Premier Parks. And before you go, have a heart-to-heart with your kids: Not every ride will be open, not every plan will go perfectly and that's okay. It might surprise the casual water parker, but shoes are actually encouraged these days for safety and comfort. With so many slippery surfaces, a little traction on your feet can improve a day at the parks. That said, your little darling shouldn't be cannonballing in Nike Airs. 'I really like Crocs,' Ojeda says. A water-friendly shoe that won't slip off mid-slide or float away halfway down the lazy river is the best bet. In this instance, Velcro is your friend. And at some parks, such as Raging Waters in Los Angeles, you can buy water shoes in the gift shop. In Ojeda's line of work, abrasion is an occupational hazard. 'I'm a big rash guard guy,' he says. In fact, Ojeda has a collection of rash guard shirts — one from nearly every park he's visited. He says they're a must for slide goers. Ojeda also has strong feelings about swim trunks. He swears by trunks with built-in compression liners, such as Chubbies. 'You can wear them all day and you don't feel like … well, the word is chafing,' he says. For anyone suiting up for a splash day, consider this your Speedo era. Sure, a trendy two-piece slays in selfies, but today's slides can send you flying. Summit Plummet at Disney's Blizzard Beach clocks in at highway speeds, and the last thing you want is a wardrobe whoopsie in front of a full audience of lounge chair spectators. And Disney spokesperson Darrell Fry would rather you keep things appropriate for the younger crowd. 'Be sure to wear family-friendly swimwear [no thongs],' he said. Three words: Get the cabana. 'Not all of us can go stay at a five-star hotel,' Andrus says. 'But you can rent a cabana. And I will tell you, it's a complete and total game changer.' Shady oases in a sea of sunburn and chaos, cabanas are fast becoming the water park world's VIP upgrade. Borrowing a page from the luxury resort playbook, more parks now offer these breezy sanctuaries for rent. At Virginia's Massanutten, most options include lounge chairs, coolers and ceiling fans. Even indoor water parks are making room for them. In Oregon, the air and space-themed Wings & Waves Waterpark — notable for its four waterslides that come out of a real Boeing 747 aircraft stationed on the roof — has First Class Cabanas, which can be reserved for up to nine people ($200 if booked online, $225 if booked in the park) and come with a $50 food credit from the on-site cafe. Go ahead, treat yourself. As Andrus says, 'Your kids are going to feel like rock stars.' At your municipal splash pad, no one's batting an eye if you roll in with a tote bag full of chips and juice boxes. Some parents have whole pizzas delivered to the spraygrounds. But try that trick at a major water park and it probably won't float. Some people resort to smuggling. Andrea Upchurch admits to covertly entering water parks with a small backpack purse with Goldfish crackers, pretzels and protein bars for her kids. 'We also have a meal plan for Carowinds Carolina Harbor Waterpark, but it's only one meal,' she says. 'So we go somewhere in the park and get a splittable meal and treat it like a snack to share.' After the fun in the sun, the Upchurch family finds someplace less expensive to eat outside the park's gates. Not all venues frown on a BYO feast. At Silverwood Theme Park's Boulder Beach in northern Idaho, for example, picnics are practically encouraged as long as guests follow the rules. 'Guests can bring in a soft-sided 12-by-12-by-12-inch cooler with small snacks or a personal lunch,' says publicist Sally Spaulding. 'Also, you may bring in factory sealed, nonalcoholic beverages.' The best move: Pack a tailgate picnic for pre- or post-park eats, then research in-park summer dining deals. At Magic Theme and Water Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas, a Gold Season Pass ($140) gives visitors unlimited park visits as well as one free meal per trip. The term 'accessible' gets thrown around a lot these days, and travel writer Jaclyn Greenberg says a lot of it is lip service. 'My son Henry loves to have fun but is unable to walk or talk,' Greenberg says. 'For my family, flat, easy-to-access paths, large restrooms and changing areas with an adult-size fold-down table, as well as a few calmer rides — such as a lazy river with a zero-gravity entry — are bonuses we look for so my son can have fun with the rest of my family.' Finding all of that in one place is still a rarity. But there are signs of progress. Ojeda highlights Morgan's Inspiration Island in San Antonio, which bills itself as 'the world's first ultra-accessible splash park.' The site offers free waterproof wheelchairs, complimentary ventilator bags and water-collar covers for tracheostomies — details that make a difference. Still, Greenberg says, 'I don't love places that are only or mostly for people with disabilities. I want places that are inclusive for everyone.' For her money, DreamWorks Water Park in East Rutherford, New Jersey, was the answer. 'We booked surfing lessons for my family for my birthday, and they had two staffers there to surf with my son so the rest of us could take typical lessons,' Greenberg says. 'He sat on the surfboard with one of them. It was crazy, but so cool and great that he was happy and participating and we could also do something that was challenging for us.' No one likes dealing with soggy cash, especially water park staffers. That's one reason more parks are ditching dollars altogether and moving to fully cashless systems, from entry fees to snack bar purchases. 'All of our Premier Parks have moved to a digital season pass,' Andrus says. 'People are already carrying their phones in waterproof pouches. Now you can just scan your phone and go — no need to worry about cash.' Pro tip: Be sure to check a park's payment policy before arrival. Some parks won't accept cash at all, and you don't want to be stuck high and dry without a way to pay.
BBC News
3 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Vale of Glamorgan council defends Cosmeston aqua park emails
Council bosses have defended comments made in correspondence made public after plans for a controversial water park were given the to the attraction at Cosmeston Lakes Country Park, near Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan, obtained emails involving the council and Aqua Park Group using the Freedom of Information showed the firm proposed a potential 15-year deal and was told there was an "agreement to move forward with you behind the scenes".But council leader Lis Burnett said no agreement to begin the trial was made before a decision was made by cabinet members in March, and that a suggested 15-year term was at the company's suggestion alone. A council spokesperson also said the comment "moving forward" referred to moving forward with the preparation of a draft heads of terms document and discussions on requirements for water sampling and other operational added that if cabinet members had not given their approval in March, and if Natural Resources Wales had not issued its consent, "discussions would have stopped".The attraction had wanted to relocate after being based in Cardiff Bay since 2019 and includes an inflatable assault course with slides and climbing frames Councillors raised concerns about the emails obtained by the Save Cosmeston and the Vale campaign group during Monday's full council accused the authority of not involving locally-elected representatives and residents sooner as discussions about the scheme went back to it was only in March when the plans were discussed publicly at a council cabinet ward councillor Anthony Ernest said it had been "very badly handled".And Plaid Cymru group leader Ian Johnson said he had "strong concerns" about how quickly it went from being publicised to receiving email from a Vale Council officer to Aqua Park Group on 23 January said there was an agreement for the council to pursue a licence for the company to trial an attraction at Cosmeston Lakes this went on to add that a report on the proposal would need to go before council cabinet members and stated "it will be essential to avoid any sort of publicity about your move before the cabinet report is agreed". Ms Burnett told councillors: "It is entirely normal for staff to have discussions with potential partners to assess feasibility before bringing proposals to cabinet and the council's other committees."This is necessary to allow us to carry out due diligence and risk assessments in the public interest."The aqua park is being trialled until September after which the council will decide whether to consider allowing such an attraction to operate the following season at the country park which has been an official nature reserve since 2013.
The Sun
4 days ago
- Health
- The Sun
My little boy came home from school trip with 2nd degree BURNS after he was left to fry in 30C heat with no suncream
A FURIOUS dad has slammed teachers for allowing his child to 'fry in 30-degree heat without sun cream' on a school trip. Simon Oakley claims his 12-year-old son Oliver came home from Barcelona with agonising second degree burns. 4 4 4 4 The Parklands High School pupil set off for Spain from Chorley, Lancashire, for a week-long holiday with classmates and spent nearly 24 hours travelling to the country via coach. But fuming dad Simon says the nightmare happened on the final day when the school trip took them to a water park. Simon, a self-employed furniture maker, said: "When I saw how bad the burns were, I was extremely upset. 'I feel incredibly let down and disappointed with the school. 'Oliver told me that the sunburn happened on the final day. The kids spent the full day at a water park. 'We later learned from Oliver that he hadn't had any sun cream on all day and wasn't wearing a T-shirt or a hat." Simon continued: 'This left him fully exposed to the 30-degree sun and heat. 'We found out about his sunburn on Thursday evening while he was travelling back. 'He sent us a few messages saying his shoulders and back were really sore, and even did a short video so his mum and I could see how red and blistered his skin was. 'Over the next 48 hours, the blisters got much worse and new ones kept developing.' I laid on the beach for just ONE hour but the sunburn was brutal and left me looking like a wasp-stung dog - don't make my mistake Simon claims Oliver was given paracetamol and heavy-duty plasters were applied to his burns but the youngster was in 'agony' by the time he got home. Oliver's parents rushed him to Preston Royal Hospital for treatment. Nurses allegedly confirmed that the burns were of a second degree nature and popped his blisters before peeling away the damaged skin. Simon said: 'They headed home straight from the water park at around tea time. 'It was only on the bus journey back, which took over 24 hours, that the burns and blisters started to develop and he was in agony for the majority of the journey back. 'He did let the teachers know towards the end of the journey, and they stuck some plasters on his blisters and gave him a paracetamol.' The family have since lodged a formal complaint with the school. 'SCREAMING IN AGONY' Simon was left unimpressed with the school's response to the situation, he claimed: 'They gave him some paracetamol and then applied heavy-duty plasters to the blisters. 'The plasters had to be peeled off the next day at hospital, which left Oliver screaming in agony and in tears on the floor. 'I submitted a formal complaint to the school. The headteacher phoned me back but I was essentially told there was nothing more that could have been done for my son - even though seven teachers were on the trip.' Parklands High School were contacted for comment on multiple occasions but a reporter was told over the phone by a receptionist that 'no one was available' to comment. Oliver went on the school trip on May 24 to May 30. But his dad says it has taken the child's skin 'about a month' to 'get back to normal' and he has some very faint scars from the burns. Simon added: 'He's okay now but is a little wary about going out in the sun because of what happened. "I just want other parents to know this can happen and schools need to take sun safety seriously. 'No child should come home in that kind of pain after what's meant to be a fun trip."
The Standard
4 days ago
- The Standard
North Korea bars foreign tourists from new seaside resort
(FILES) Domestic tourists react after riding a slide into a swimming pool at the Myongsasimni Water Park in the Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Area in Wonsan, North Korea's Kangwon Province on July 2, 2025. North Korea has barred foreigners from a newly opened beach resort, the country's tourism administration said on July 18, just days after Russia's top diplomat visited the area. (Photo by KIM Won Jin / AFP)
