The guys hanging out in the luxurious cabana
The Mike and Bob Show broadcasting live from Ocean Breeze Waterpark
The Show. Standing is Slightly, Mike Powers, Some Other Guy, and Bob Fresh. Manny Fresh is in the front row.Hugh
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
The Mike and Bob Show
On Friday the Mike and Bob Show visited Ocean Breeze Waterpark! Mike and Bob can be heard every afternoon from 2-7 on 96x. The guys broadcasted live from one of our cabanas for the second year in a row. Bob Fresh even showed up in a new swimsuit and fedora he purchased just for this occasion. Slightly Overweight Richie Cunningham participated in the Cannonball contest, and we didn't even have to refill the pool. If I ever decide to join in, be ready. There will be no water left! The guys will be returning next month for the Jungle Adventure Dive Show, so come check them out while they're here!
The guys hanging out in the luxurious cabana
The Mike and Bob Show broadcasting live from Ocean Breeze Waterpark
The Show. Standing is Slightly, Mike Powers, Some Other Guy, and Bob Fresh. Manny Fresh is in the front row.
The guys hanging out in the luxurious cabana The Mike and Bob Show broadcasting live from Ocean Breeze Waterpark The Show. Standing is Slightly, Mike Powers, Some Other Guy, and Bob Fresh. Manny Fresh is in the front row.
Friday, June 19, 2009
An Interview with Bixby from Rainforest Experience: LIVE!
I recently sat down with Bixby from Bixby and Friends Presents:Rainforest Experience LIVE to discuss the show that is now appearing at Ocean Breeze Waterpark! I wanted to pass it along to you!
I’ve been to your show so many times, but for those who have yet to experience it, can you tell me what it’s all about, Bixby?
The show is a thirty-minute entertaining and educational performance about saving the rainforest. In the show my Toucan pal Treetop and I are your tour guides, trying to save the Rainforest from its destruction of 46 million acres a year. Join in the fun as I utilize magic, audience participation, comedy and live exotic animals to make an unforgettable learning experience!
What kind of animals do you have?
We have Allie the 18 foot Burmese Python, Maddie the Ring-Tailed Lemur, Jumps the Red-eyed Tree Frog, and 17 other species!
Do any of them eat bananas?
Yes, Maddie the Ring-Tailed Lemur and Tikatou the Kinkajou eat bananas.
I bet they couldn’t eat more than me though!
Well they do eat over 60 pounds combined per month.
So wait…. Do you have any bananas on you?
Of course!
*Munching on a Banana* When can we see these animals?
The animal display is open throughout the day following our first showing and is home to our animal family.
If we can see the animals all day, when do we get to experience the show?
You can see our live show Bixby’s Rainforest Rescue two times per day Sunday through Thursday and three times daily Friday and Saturday.
I’ve been to your show so many times, but for those who have yet to experience it, can you tell me what it’s all about, Bixby?
The show is a thirty-minute entertaining and educational performance about saving the rainforest. In the show my Toucan pal Treetop and I are your tour guides, trying to save the Rainforest from its destruction of 46 million acres a year. Join in the fun as I utilize magic, audience participation, comedy and live exotic animals to make an unforgettable learning experience!
What kind of animals do you have?
We have Allie the 18 foot Burmese Python, Maddie the Ring-Tailed Lemur, Jumps the Red-eyed Tree Frog, and 17 other species!
Do any of them eat bananas?
Yes, Maddie the Ring-Tailed Lemur and Tikatou the Kinkajou eat bananas.
I bet they couldn’t eat more than me though!
Well they do eat over 60 pounds combined per month.
So wait…. Do you have any bananas on you?
Of course!
*Munching on a Banana* When can we see these animals?
The animal display is open throughout the day following our first showing and is home to our animal family.
If we can see the animals all day, when do we get to experience the show?
You can see our live show Bixby’s Rainforest Rescue two times per day Sunday through Thursday and three times daily Friday and Saturday.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Girl Scout Water Safety Day
Saturday was the second annual Girl Scout Water Safety Day at Ocean Breeze Waterpark! We teamed up with local Girl Scouts to teach the girls about water safety. There were lots of fun activities planned for the girls. One station was set up for them to paint with our awesome watercolor sheets. What's on these sheets you ask? Well only a picture of the coolest, most handsomest guy in town: ME!
Check me out, catching a wave!
There were also some great activities teaching them about water safety. We went over the importance of obeying lifeguards and listening to what they say through a game called "Lifeguard Says." They definitely learned that you should always swim near a lifeguard! We discussed Water Conservation and its role in the environment. Speaking of the environment, its always necessary to slather some sun screen on when you go outside, so of course we discussed that! Finally, we went over all the aspects of safe swimming and got in the pool to review them!
Monday, June 15, 2009
All You Ever Wanted to Know About Lifeguard Training
Our lifeguards at Ocean Breeze Waterpark take their jobs very seriously. Its their responsibility to keep their eyes on the water to keep the park safe.
Lifeguards start their jobs with an instructional course on lifeguarding. There is no requirement to be certified when you apply, because our guards are certified by Ellis & Associates after they are hired. Ellis & Associates may be unfamiliar to some of you, but they are extremely well known and respected within the waterpark industry. In fact, 99% of the waterparks in the United States certify their lifeguards through Ellis & Associates.
Before a guard can take the course he or she does need to pass a few tests. They must be able to swim 200 meters in 5 minutes or less and spot and retrieve a brick from a depth of 10 feet. Deep water lifeguards (guard water deeper than 4 feet) must also be able to tread water for 2 minutes while holding a 10 pound brick. After passing these tests the training begins!
Guards learn different water safety skills, including the correct way to perform water rescues and how to identify a person in need of help. They are given in depth First Aid training and spend hours learning, practicing and passing CPR certification tests. All Ocean Breeze Waterpark lifeguards are fully trained in adult, child and infant CPR.
Prior to opening day, our guards attend Lifeguard Orientation. At this orientation they are trained on how to work every position and ride in the park. Before they are permitted to work they must pass a series of written tests on their lifeguarding skills and the rules and policies for each and every ride in the park.
Lifeguard training does not end with their certification class. In fact...it is only the beginning. Our guards review and practice their CPR skills nightly. We discuss new situations and training points every day. Ellis & Associates requires 4 hours of In Service training a month, but at Ocean Breeze Waterpark we hold our Guards to a higher standard. We typically fit in 8 to 10 hours of training a month!
Throughout the summer CPR mannequins and silhouettes (flat pieces of fabric resembling a person) are hidden in pools to test the lifeguards ability to spot a person in distress. Additionally, guards are pulled from their positions and given "surprise" CPR tests to measure their abilities under pressure and in unexpected situations.
Finally, Ellis & Associates audits the lifeguarding staff periodically throughout the summer. An auditor will buy a ticket to the park and secretly watch the guard staff performing their duties throughout the day. This is Ellis' way of making sure that their standards are being upheld to the highest levels. Ocean Breeze Waterpark receives an audit score and reviews the results with the guard staff. We have already been audited once in 2009 and received an "Exceeds Standards," the highest score possible! Year after year our lifeguarding staff is given Safety Awards by Ellis & Associates for their outstanding performance.
Ocean Breeze Waterpark's number one goal is to provide a safe and fun environment for all of our guests to enjoy. Our wonderful lifeguard staff makes all of it possible!
Lifeguards start their jobs with an instructional course on lifeguarding. There is no requirement to be certified when you apply, because our guards are certified by Ellis & Associates after they are hired. Ellis & Associates may be unfamiliar to some of you, but they are extremely well known and respected within the waterpark industry. In fact, 99% of the waterparks in the United States certify their lifeguards through Ellis & Associates.
Before a guard can take the course he or she does need to pass a few tests. They must be able to swim 200 meters in 5 minutes or less and spot and retrieve a brick from a depth of 10 feet. Deep water lifeguards (guard water deeper than 4 feet) must also be able to tread water for 2 minutes while holding a 10 pound brick. After passing these tests the training begins!
Guards learn different water safety skills, including the correct way to perform water rescues and how to identify a person in need of help. They are given in depth First Aid training and spend hours learning, practicing and passing CPR certification tests. All Ocean Breeze Waterpark lifeguards are fully trained in adult, child and infant CPR.
Prior to opening day, our guards attend Lifeguard Orientation. At this orientation they are trained on how to work every position and ride in the park. Before they are permitted to work they must pass a series of written tests on their lifeguarding skills and the rules and policies for each and every ride in the park.
Lifeguard training does not end with their certification class. In fact...it is only the beginning. Our guards review and practice their CPR skills nightly. We discuss new situations and training points every day. Ellis & Associates requires 4 hours of In Service training a month, but at Ocean Breeze Waterpark we hold our Guards to a higher standard. We typically fit in 8 to 10 hours of training a month!
Throughout the summer CPR mannequins and silhouettes (flat pieces of fabric resembling a person) are hidden in pools to test the lifeguards ability to spot a person in distress. Additionally, guards are pulled from their positions and given "surprise" CPR tests to measure their abilities under pressure and in unexpected situations.
Finally, Ellis & Associates audits the lifeguarding staff periodically throughout the summer. An auditor will buy a ticket to the park and secretly watch the guard staff performing their duties throughout the day. This is Ellis' way of making sure that their standards are being upheld to the highest levels. Ocean Breeze Waterpark receives an audit score and reviews the results with the guard staff. We have already been audited once in 2009 and received an "Exceeds Standards," the highest score possible! Year after year our lifeguarding staff is given Safety Awards by Ellis & Associates for their outstanding performance.
Ocean Breeze Waterpark's number one goal is to provide a safe and fun environment for all of our guests to enjoy. Our wonderful lifeguard staff makes all of it possible!
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
A Few Updates
Hey Everybody! If you're looking for a new way to follow the latest happenings at Ocean Breeze Waterpark (besides this blog, and becoming a fan on Facebook), check us out on Twitter! We tweet under the name OceanBreezeVB. We'll give real time updates on what's going on right now at Ocean Breeze Waterpark!
In even bigger news (you may want to call it Hugh Mongous news...get it?) on Father's Day, Sunday June 21, all you Dads out there will get in free with a paying child! That's right! FREE! All you need to do is pay for your child, and your admission is free. It even counts if you're child has a season pass and you don't! Or if you're a Grandfather. Bring your big kid and let them pay, and you can get in for free! So make this a Father's Day to remember and bring the whole family out to Ocean Breeze Waterpark!
See you soon!
Hugh
In even bigger news (you may want to call it Hugh Mongous news...get it?) on Father's Day, Sunday June 21, all you Dads out there will get in free with a paying child! That's right! FREE! All you need to do is pay for your child, and your admission is free. It even counts if you're child has a season pass and you don't! Or if you're a Grandfather. Bring your big kid and let them pay, and you can get in for free! So make this a Father's Day to remember and bring the whole family out to Ocean Breeze Waterpark!
See you soon!
Hugh
Monday, June 8, 2009
Bixby is Here!
Last month I announced the Summer Entertainment Series at Ocean Breeze Waterpark. I am pleased to announce that Bixby and Friends Presents: Rainforest Experience LIVE is now showing! This show is free with your admission to the park, and you will love it. Bixby and his rainforest animal friends will help families learn the value of and basic ways to save the rainforest and the environment in which we live. After the show you can tour the exhibits to see even more Rainforest creatures!
Catch the show daily from June 5 to July 5, 2009.
Here are some pictures of the crew setting everything up!
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
The Best of the Beach!
THANK YOU! Thanks to you, Ocean Breeze Waterpark was voted to The Virginian Pilot's Best of the Beach for the fourth year in a row! We won Gold in the following categories:
Best Entertainment and Recreation: Best Children's Entertainment
Best Entertainment and Recreation: Best Family Entertainment
Best Entertainment and Recreation: Best Tourist Attraction
It is truly awesome to be the recipient of this award for the fourth consecutive year, and we want to thank everyone who voted for us!
Hugh
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