Live Chat Water Parks: Creating a Culture of Safety from the Frontline Perspective

In 2003, I decided to shift my career away from home to Dubai – United Arab Emirates, and join the waterpark industry as a lifeguard.  It was my interest to interact with guests of different nationalities, making sure their experiences were safe and seeing guests smiling. The waterpark industry allowed me to do so.  After my two years of lifeguard contract completed, I was promoted as a team leader and from there on, I saw myself growing in the industry.

Am very humble, trustworthy, faithful person and representing the waterpark industry plus Ellis & Associates for being part of the instructors.  Working in the waterpark industry requires flexibility and adapt to changes.  Also you are exposed to work with many different nationalities, cultures and religions, so one have to be open minded to overcome such challenges when occurs.  The waterpark industry is fun to work in, but it need to have right attitude to deal with different people, hard work, dedication and important is to be consistent as it’s the key element to success.  On top of that my family keep me motivated and focused.  My favorite part in the industry is when you train new members the skills and seeing them succeeding in the career.  

Training is my favorite part; when you train people, you are not only teaching them new skills, but you might be changing their mindset, and their perspective in so many things beyond the specific training skill.  I was honored to participate in the World Largest Swimming Lesson since 2010, as well as kids with disabilities “Funday Sunday Event” in Wild Wadi Waterpark, Dubai, U.A.E.  In Desert Falls Waterpark in Qatar we have launch the World Largest Swimming Lesson in 2022.

I have been inspired and mentored by so many people in my career since the first day I joined.  I have worked with and reported to many experienced leaders in the industry.  To mention few of them are Glenn Davidson, Christopher Perry, Hayden Holmes, Robert Klock, Maria Houbenova, Svetlana Petrova, Mariana Marx and Scott Wellington who inspired me because of their consistency, commitment, motivation and allowing me to see things from a different perspective.

I have been enjoying the journey of this industry and I do appreciate all those we have pass path together in this industry for their support, motivation and encouragement on what I do.
 

Starting his career in the aquatics industry in 2008, Saso entered the industry as a shallow lifeguard with Ellis & Associates at Wild Wadi Waterpark. During this role, he uncovered his passion for learning and teaching the intricate lifeguarding philosophy. Working through the ranks of Wild Wadi, Saso now works as the Associate Director of Operations for the Jumeirah Group overseeing the water safety at Wild Wadi Waterpark & Jumeirah Beach hotel. 
Saso holds a CPO, Lifeguard Trainer, and Rescue Diver certifications.
 

Sean is an 18-year veteran of the aquatics, leisure, and attractions industry. His career started in 2005 with Six Flags Hurricane Harbor New Jersey and progressed through other Ellis and Associates client facilities and in multiple roles in Delaware, and in Northern Virginia with Prince William County Parks, Recreation, and Tourism. Sean’s work experience also includes a multi-year stint as a National Staff Auditor with Ellis and Associates where he conducted hundreds of unannounced safety operational audits across the USA, Canada, and the UAE. Throughout this entire time spent working to make the aquatic facilities he worked with and consulted at safer, Sean refined his skills in a multitude of aquatic environments. This hands-on experience in large seasonal waterparks, small non-profits, and multi-faceted government organizations have given him a unique perspective on meeting the objective of preventing drowning. He considers this experience through each of these positions and locations as instrumental in helping further his passion for preventing the loss of life due to drowning. Sean recently joined the team at SST as a Client Services Manager in 2021. This position has opened him to the opportunity to spread his knowledge and expertise to clients across 40 countries. The passion of the staff members at the facilities he works alongside and the ability to reach and educate people across international, cultural, and language borders help to keep him motivated to continue the mission he set out on over 18 years ago.