Carlsbad Water Park Opens for the Season

By Misty Cryer

Beginning with the Falcon Fest, a celebration for Loving High School graduates, the water park opened to the public on May 23. With an experienced manager and trainer, increased staff, upgrades to the park, and dedication to raising awareness, a great season is expected.

The water park, located at 708 Park Drive, is open Tuesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission to the water park is $5, with free admission for children three and under and seniors age 62-plus.

“We also have private rentals after hours, to rent out the entire park, on Fridays and Saturdays from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.,” said Courtney Lindsey, Manager of Carlsbad Water Park.

Moving here from Alaska in 2019, Lindsey said, “I have actually been in aquatics for a long time. I worked at an indoor water park in Alaska for 14 years when I was younger. I was a supervisor there and became manager when our manager left.” She said she also worked for the government on base at Fort Richardson in Alaska.

She stepped away when adopting her oldest daughter. Lindsey said, “I had two young children at the time.”

When the manager position at the water park opened, Lindsey said she was teaching lessons at the natatorium and training lifeguards there. With her five children in school, she said the timing was right for her to come back to the profession.

While some are still “trickling in” from hiring for summer, this year the number of employees dedicated to the water park and guarding the river is increasing compared to last year, said Lindsey. “I have 30 lifeguards, I have eight front desk attendants, and then six lead guards, and one assistant manager,” she said.

As far as training goes, Lindsay said, “I’m an American Red Cross instructor.” She explained that lifeguards who guard the river must be deep-water certified, while water park guards can be certified for shallow water. “Some kids are only certified for shallow water lifeguarding, but the majority are deep-water certified,” she said.

Due to word of mouth, Lindsey said, “I had so many applications that I couldn’t even hire everybody.” She said that was a welcome change, and a bummer as well because she likes to have the kids ready and there working.

Growing up in the military and in Alaska, Lindsey said she was taught to leave things better than she found them, a concept she tries to pass on.

“There was always just a pride in the outdoors and making sure that it is always beautiful and that you can continue to enjoy it,” said Lindsey. She said even before working at the water park, she and her family would go out and pick up trash because they enjoy the water. She encourages park visitors to help by picking up the beach while picking up after themselves.

With improvements to the water park and the park staff putting in a lot of effort to keep the place nice and clean, she said, “We are trying to change the way that people treat the park.” She said they want everyone to come in, have fun, and be safe, while adhering to the rules and enjoying the low admission fees.

To increase awareness, Lindsey explained that cotton is a “no-no” because it is a natural fiber that breaks down in the water, is dyed, and retains laundry soap and fabric softener. “We are already combating sunscreen, hair product, and soap,” she said.

“The chlorine has to work really hard to keep the water nice and clean, so the more we do preventatively, like showering before you get in the water, making sure you’re not wearing cottonwear, wearing appropriate swimwear, or something that doesn’t break down in the water, it helps keep that water clean so we aren’t having the issues had in the past with cloudy water or algae in the water.”