Why Sea World in San Diego is a Great Day for the Whole Family!

By: Rose Beasley

There is more to summer fun than just hitting the beach or local public swimming pool.  The city of San Diego in  California is a glorious smorgasbord full of fun attractions and activities to entertain even the most fickle of travelers.  From incredible zoos to sea cave kayaking and harbor cruises to water parks, San Diego has it all. However, there is one attraction that is a combination of what the city offers and that is our local Sea World!

SeaWorld is an animal theme park, oceanarium, outdoor aquarium and marine mammal park, located inside Mission Bay Park in beautiful  San Diego, California . MBP is more than fifty percent water and is the only Sea World location with a view of the ocean. Here, there is unlimited fun to be had whether you want to have a special encounter with one of the many animal attractions like dolphins or orcas, ride a thrilling roller coaster, chill in a water park, catch a show, and so much more.

Aquatica San Diego has returned for its eighth and final season in 2021.  Experiences at Aquatica range from lounging on sandy beaches to splashing playfully in pools, and  journeying down water slides. In compliance with state safety guidelines for water parks, Aquatica will operate with enhanced health and safety protocols for cleaning and sanitizing, physical distancing, and face-covering requirements in certain areas. Aquatica will be open daily for the final season from now to Monday, September 6.

Think the fun ends at sunset? Not a chance! Get ready because when the sun goes down, the party is only getting started. Go from day into night and watch the park light up at SeaWorld’s Electric Ocean. Stay late all summer to enjoy exotic worlds of light and music and experience your favorite SeaWorld attractions in a whole new way. Party with glowing sea creatures and world-class DJs for a dance party beneath the waves. The evening’s grand finale is a fireworks spectacular that is defiantly Instagram worthy! The event is currently running and will continue through Monday, September 6.

For all the kids and kids at heart, the magic of Sesame Street comes alive at the Sesame Street Bay of Play.  Enjoy the new heartwarming show all about the beauty of friendship, show off your best dance moves at the Furry Friends Dance Party, and take a break with the new Sesame Street Story Time. Also, don’t forget to attend all the new places to meet and greet with your favorite Sesame Street characters or to check outBig Bird’s Bistro where guests can find delicious eats and sweet treats.

Those are just a few of the amazing activities you will find to do at Sea World. It is fun for the whole family and you will make memories that will last a life time. So next time you find yourself in one of Southern California’s best cities, be sure to make planning a day at Sea World a priority. You will definitely not be disappointed that you did!

To begin planning you trip visit seaworld.com 

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June is Ocean Awareness Month

By: Rose Beasley

The summer season is truly an amazing time of year.  School is out, the beaches are open, and there are lots of events and holidays to take part in.  Right now everyone is shopping for Fathers Day this weekend and getting  prepared for the Fourth of July festivities and fireworks that are only a few weeks away. However, there is a lesser known event that is taking place this month. June is not only the official start of summer but is also Ocean Awareness Month. Every year, a proclamation designating June as National Oceans Month is issued. Additionally, the United Nations General Assembly designated June 8th World Oceans Day. This day of recognition was first declared in Rio de Janeiro at the Global Forum on June 8, 1992. It is now almost three decades later and is still going strong!

Ocean Awareness and Activism

Ocean awareness and activism refers to the efforts of organizations and individuals whose aim is to bring about social, political and environmental change in the areas of conservation, pollution and endangered species. Each year, the ocean is celebrated in all its glory for the whole month of June. It is a beautiful time to come together and celebrate the ecosystem that is essential to the survival of marine life and people. That’s right, the ocean is very essential to the survival of people. Do you enjoy that delicious seafood platter at your favorite restaurant? Sea is another word for ocean and that gourmet goodness on your plate came directly from it.

National Oceans Month was organized in an effort to help people recognize our connection to the ocean and to raise awareness about the dangers it faces. According to the Marine Conservation Institute, the ocean is the largest ecosystem on earth and serves as the planet’s life support system.  After all, it generates over half of the oxygen we breathe, provides at least one fifth of the animal protein we eat, provides millions of livelihoods that stimulate both local and global economies, provides important ingredients for critical medications, and so much more. In spite of this knowledge, many people continue to disrespect and abuse the world’s oceans.

According to a study done by the University of Georgia, 18 billion pounds of plastic trash winds up in our oceans each year. To put that in perspective, it’s enough trash to cover every foot of coastline around the world with five full trash bags of plastic that is compounding every year. Need more incentive to take action?  There are 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic debris in the ocean. Of that, 269,000 tons float on the surface, while some four billion plastic microfibers per square kilometer litter the deep sea. Also, there is an island of garbage twice the size of Texas inside the Pacific Ocean and the North Pacific Gyre off the coast of California is the largest oceanic garbage site in the entire world. It’s here that the number of floating plastic pieces in the water outnumbers total marine life six to one in the immediate vicinity. The source for this information is Rubicon.com 

Treating our ocean’s resources with respect should be a top priority. We also have to keep in mind the future generations who will  need the ocean in order to live a prosperous life. So as you celebrate summer at the beaches this month be sure to remember how the ocean takes care of you and how important it is for us to return the favor.

 

For more information visit the following websites: 

https://www.census.gov/newsroom/stories/ocean-month.html

https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/ocean/30days/

President Joe Biden’s Proclamation on National Ocean Month  

 

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Pool Swimming vs. Open Water Swimming

By: Rose Beasley

 

There are a number of differences between a swimming pool and open water and just because you’re a strong pool swimmer, doesn’t mean you’ll be good at open water swimming. Swimming in open water is drastically different from pool swimming. In a pool, you are not swimming against currents or waves but swimming peacefully on flat, unmoved water allowing you to pull your body more easily through the water without the added resistance or physical elements. In open water, like the ocean, you are facing rip tides, waves and swells that can push and pull your body in a number of different directions. Even if you are in excellent physical condition, perfecting your swimming skills in a controlled body of water like a swimming pool is highly recommended. This is excellent advice because even the best swimmers are at risk in the ocean due to overlooked elements including shortness of breath, the cold temperature of the water shocking the body, and sudden panic brought on by noticing a shark or other marine creatures nearby.

The differences between open water swimming and pool swimming are vast.

One difference that is very important to consider is your swim stroke. In open water, it is important to practice sighting because you will be swimming in a much bigger space. Swimming pools give you the advantage of always knowing where you are and what is around you.  Also, cloudy or foggy weather can decrease visibility making it harder to see where you’re going. This next difference is very important to understand.  In open water you will face swimming in rougher conditions and through waves and choppy water, whereas in the pool the water is guaranteed to be still. Failing to adapt to these conditions can have drastic and scary consequences.

Consider mental challenges that may arise when swimming in open water. Cold water temperatures aren’t the only mind game large bodies of water can play on.  Open water has a number of other mental challenges that don’t exist in the pool. For instance, you cannot stand up in the middle of a lake or sea like a pool which is a controlled area. You may also not be able to see anything apart from darkness below. Therefore, the feeling of being out of your depth or what lies underneath can be a major challenge to overcome. Swimming in open water takes a lot more energy and you may need to take a break.  There are no lane lines or walls to hold onto and the water may be deep enough  that you can’t touch the bottom. In this case you’ll need to be able to tread water. Not sure how? No problem. Treading water is something you can learn to do in the deep end of the pool with instruction from a swim coach or experienced open water swimmer.

Although swimming in open water is more difficult, there are also many health benefits to taking a dip in a lake, river or ocean. These benefits include the following:

• It has been proven by scientists that being immersed in cold water three times a week increases your white blood cell counts which helps fight infection and boost your immune system by activating antibodies and increasing the metabolic rate.
• In Sweden it’s common practice to let babies take naps outdoors in the cold, which has proven to not only help them be more resistant to diseases but they also sleep deeper and more soundly. Insomniacs are told to have cold showers to aid their sleep.
• In Siberia as a ritual they dump a bucket of cold water over the head of children aged 2-6 years old. It has shown that 95 per cent of children who participate are healthy through the flu season as opposed to 75 per cent of those children who do not take part.
• Better circulation – cold water exposure over time is shown to improve circulation, since cold water exposure causes your blood flow to be re-directed to your vital organs. It forces your body to circulate your blood more efficiently and effectively.
• Temperature regulation – cold water helps limit heat loss. As it decreases core body temperature it actually regulates overall body temperature.
• Relief from symptoms of depression – cold water has proven to help relieve the symptoms of depression. Due to the high density of cold water receptors in the skin, a cold dip is expected to send an overwhelming amount of electrical impulses from nerve endings to the brain, which can result in an anti-depression effect.
• Healthy skin and hair – cold water helps close the pores and doesn’t dry out your skin like the warm and chemically treated pool water. It is also great for your hair as cold temperatures close the hair cuticles, making it stronger.
• No chemicals – as well as irritating the skin, chlorine is absorbed by the body primarily through inhalation. Many pool swimmers suffer a cough or sore throat during and following a training session. Open water swimmers can breathe deep the fresh air of their surroundings.
• Energy increase – cold water boosts energy levels, nerve endings stand up and the heart starts racing. It is one of the best possible ways to give yourself a natural high.
• Helps you maximize your breathing capabilities – cold water forces you to breath deeper, by forcing you to pause momentarily as a reflex to the immersion. This opens up the lungs and helps bring in more oxygen.
• Minimize pain – reduces chronic pain, body aches and inflammation, regulates nervous system, improves kidney function and overall improves circulation.
• Non- resistance activity – ideal sport for individuals who have had injuries or impairments as it’s a non weight bearing activity and resistance free, in addition you are working the majority of muscles so you still get a workout.

Regardless of where you choose to dive in, swimming is an amazing physical and mental workout. Just be sure to always follow safety regulations, always swim with a buddy or two, and remain aware of how your body is responding to conditions.  Now go make a splash this summer!

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The Story behind Abbey’s Hope Organization

By: Rose Beasley

Sadly, it is not uncommon to hear about a tragic death or injury to a child that is water related.  Pool time, bath time and beach time is supposed to be fun time. No one is thinking about the dangers lurking around them when they are laughing and making new memories with their loved ones. The really scary part is that the danger is not always the water itself. There are other risk factors that most of us would never even think about. The story behind Abbey’s Hope Organization is a shocking reminder to always be aware of what is around you and your children.

In June 2007, six-year-old Abbey suffered a horrific injury. While playing in a public wading pool, Abbey unknowingly sat on a poorly maintained drain that was unequipped with the appropriate safety devices. The powerful suction eviscerated Abbey, ripping her small intestine from her body. Nine months of medical care followed, including 16 surgeries, multiple organ transplants, several infections and many, many nights spent in a hospital bed. Despite the best medical care, Abbey went peacefully with her family by her side in March 2008. In the hospital, Scott and Katey Taylor made a promise to Abbey. The promise was to make sure this kind of injury never happens to someone else. It was with that goal in mind that Abbey’s Hope Charitable Foundation was founded.

In spite of the tragedies that occur everyday, it is true that traditional forms of drowning and entrapments, entanglements and eviscerations are completely preventable. Also, these prevention tactics are easily achieved.  Drowning and entrapments can be prevented by using what is commonly referred to as “layers of protection.” These are safety devices and behaviors that are used together to help prevent injuries and deaths from happening.  For instance, children should be actively supervised when they are in or anywhere near water. Pools and spas of all kinds should be completely surrounded by an isolation fence with a self-locking gate. They should also be built and maintained so as to prevent entrapments, entanglements and eviscerations from happening in the first place. Something else that is very important to remember is that safety drain covers and back up safety devices like a safety vacuum release system should be installed. Children should be taught how to swim at an early age and adults should be trained in CPR. Doors alarms, pool alarms and automatic pool and spa covers add an extra layer of safety. These efforts, combined with others, quite simply, saves children’s lives and prevents injuries.

Let’s make Summer 2021 the safest and most happily memorable one yet.

BECOME A WATER WATCHDOG

Children can drown in seconds. Yes, even in pools where lifeguards are present. That’s why we’ve designed the Water Watchdog Program. The idea is simple. One adult wears the Watchdog Tag around bodies of water and follows the rules below. When the designated Water Watchdog needs to take a break, he or she hands off the tag, and the responsibility, to another adult.

TAKE THE PLEDGE

As a Water Watchdog, you agree:

•   To maintain constant visual contact with the children in your group.
•   Not to drink alcohol, talk on the phone, socialize or read while watching children.
•   To keep a phone near the water for emergency purposes only.
•   To remain by the water until relieved by a new Water Watchdog.

To learn more about becoming a Water Watchdog, to donate to the cause or to just learn more about the organization click the link https://abbeyshope.org

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