The New York Times reported last week that “It’s Going to Be Dangerously Hot for 100 Million Americans.” Then it added, “Nearly a third of the U.S. population was under an extreme heat warning, with heat indexes in some cities climbing over 110 degrees, meteorologists said.”
But you didn’t need them to tell you that, did you? Not if you’ve been outside lately. Basically, it feels like August decided to get here a couple of months early.
So… it would be a great time to take a swim, right?
Fortunately, that option is available to us, despite the shortage of lifeguards we wrote about last month. If you’ll recall, we said that the Stephens Grove pool was opening, but we warned you that you would be swimming at your own risk, because we didn’t have lifeguards at that point.
Well, things are a little better now, and we now have a new pool schedule posted, with lifeguards. But the schedule only goes through July 2 because that’s as far as our pool company has been able to arrange for lifeguards at this time.
And our board president, Shannon Waterman, still warns everyone to take special care: “The pool will only be open if we have a guard or attendant,” she says, but everyone should still think in terms of “swim at your own risk.”
And note that our new rules are still posted on the website, and that they require children under the age of 14 — as opposed to the previous requirement that was set at 12 — “MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY A PARENT OR GUARDIAN OVER 18YRS OF AGE.” And yes, it’s in all capital letters like that — as are the words “SWIM AT YOUR OWN RISK.”
So enjoy the pool — cool off, get some exercise, have fun. But know the rules, and stay safe. That’s what matters most.
And note that our swim team has been training since last month, and our first meet was on June 7, and competitions continue through the rest of the month. So, go, Stingrays!
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