Hugh Mongous at the Grand Illumination Parade!

Hugh Mongous participated in the pre parade activities last night at the Grand Illumination Parade in Downtown Norfolk. He even made it on the news! Check out the video here to catch his screen time!

Holiday Season Pass Sale!

2011 Season Passes are currently on sale for $49.99 (plus tax). This pass price is only valid until December 31st, so make sure to get yours soon!

Passes are currently available on our website. Passes can be purchased at the park or over the phone by calling 422-4444 beginning Monday, November 22nd. They will be available at our kiosk at Lynnhaven Mall beginning on Wednesday, November 24th. Hours of operation will be available soon. We will also have a Toys for Tots drop off box at all locations!

With all of these options to buy your pass, there's no reason not to get one now! Hurry, and you'll be able to fit an entire summer of fun under your Christmas tree!

Farewell to Summer!

School is back in session and we are sad to say that summer is ALMOST over. There are only 2 more days left to splash and play on our 16 water slides and in our million gallon wave pool. That's right - our final two days of 2010 are on Saturday, September 11th and Sunday, September 12th. We are open from 10:00am - 6:00pm both days!

To help say farewell to summer we are offering the following deal:
All-Day Admission tickets for this weekend are Buy One Get One FREE when purchased online at Ocean Breeze Waterpark's web page by 11:00pm on Friday, September 10th! To get this special deal you must order them ONLINE on our web site and enter Promo Code BLOG2010.'
*This is an advance ticket special and is only available online through September 10th!

If you are a 2010 Season Passholder, you may bring one friend for ONLY $5 (plus tax). The Season Passholder buddy tickets may only be purchased at our tickets booth on Saturday and Sunday and do not need to be purchased in advance.

So come on out and celebrate the final days of summer at Ocean Breeze Waterpark! There will be lots of FUN and HUGE discounts throughout the park!

Last Friday Night Lights of the Season!

This Friday, August 27th is the final Friday Night Lights of the season! We've partnered with Z104 this week to bring you$10.45 admission! We close at 8, so $10.45 admission starts at 4:00pm and continues to 8:00pm. We'll continue to offer specials for everyone who comes out, and we'll have a great time for our last Friday Night Lights event of 2010!

Christmas in July Starts on July 21st!

Christmas in July starts Wednesday, July 21st and continues on through July 25th! We are starting our Toys for Tots drive early this year, and invite you to help us celebrate by bringing a new, unwrapped toy for children that are less fortunate.

We are also welcoming Santa Claus to town! He will be at Ocean Breeze Waterpark visiting the kids from 11:30 to 3:30 from Wednesday, July 21st until Saturday, July 24th. He will be here from 11:30 to 4:30 on Sunday, July 25th.

Ocean Breeze Waterpark will be decorated and ready to celebrate Christmas in July! Don't miss out on a great weekend!

Friday Night Lights!

Friday Night Lights has been awesome the last few weeks, and we're really excited for this week too! This Friday starting at 5:00 pm we will welcome 92.9 The Wave listeners to the park, where anyone who mentions the promotion will get in for $9.29! How great is that?! So make sure you bring the kids and tire them out before bed, and take advantage of special deals and promotions throughout the night! We'll see you this Friday at 5!

Christmas in July!

Santa Claus is coming to town...in July! That's right, the boys and girls at beach have been so good that Santa is coming back to town for his vacation!

From July 21-25 we will be celebrating Christmas in July at Ocean Breeze Waterpark! We'll celebrate with Christmas music, crafts, games and prizes. Santa Claus will be "vacationing" at Ocean Breeze and can't wait to find out whether the kids think they've been naughty or nice so far this year. What's better than celebrating Christmas twice?...and not having to worry about the hustle and bustle of the actual holiday and with the added bonus of warm weather. And you get to do it all at Ocean Breeze Waterpark!

We will also be starting our Toys for Tots drive early this year, so please help is celebrate by bringing a new, unwrapped toy. This will help us donate even more once the holiday season comes to the boys and girls hoping for Santa to visit them this Christmas!

Storytime Tomorrow!

Tomorrow is the second storytime of the season at Ocean Breeze Waterpark! This week's theme is pirates, and starts at 11:00 am. So bring the kids and let them enjoy a half hour of stories, games, crafts and a snack while you relax nearby!

Ocean Breeze News!

We are now officially open from 10:00am - 7:00pm Sunday through Thursday, and open from 10:00am - 10:00pm Friday and Saturday until August 7th! For more information about the schedule from August 8th until September 12th, check out our schedule here.

Storytime is also back at Ocean Breeze Waterpark! Every Monday at 11am, bring the kids for storytime! We will entertain them for a half an hour with books, crafts and snacks while you relax nearby. Does it get any better than that?!

Also, make sure that you become a fan of Ocean Breeze Waterpark on Facebook for access to exclusive deals for our Facebook Fans!

Fridays are Family Fun Nights!

Beginning June 25th, Ocean Breeze Waterpark is open until 10 pm! Start your weekend off by enjoying Family Fun Night on Friday nights at Ocean Breeze Waterpark. There will be dinner and drink specials, live entertainment and activities for the little ones.

Each Friday a different radio station will feature a special Friday night deal for prices after 5pm! So be sure to tune into your favorite radio stations to figure out which station is offering the deal of the week!

Friday nights are sure to be tons of fun for your family at Ocean Breeze Waterpark! Bring the family, wear the little ones out, put them in their pajamas and they'll be asleep before you get home! Maybe you'll even get to sleep in on Saturday!

Father's Day!

Are you looking for something totally awesome to do with Dad on Father's Day? Ocean Breeze Waterpark has a great solution!

This Sunday, June 20th is Father's Day. And as a special gift to Dad, you can bring him to Ocean Breeze Waterpark where all Fathers get in FREE with a PAYING child! That's right! You can spend a nice relaxing day at the waterpark and Dad gets in free as long as you pay for a child's admission.

How awesome is that? You can race your Dad on Paradise Pipeline, go for a dip in Runaway Bay Wave Pool, maybe even challenge him to ride Walk the Plank or Pirates' Plummet. This Father's Day, the possibilities for fun at Ocean Breeze Waterpark are endless!

The Hampton Roads Show!

This morning there was a segment featuring Ocean Breeze Waterpark on The Hampton Roads Show! Click on the link to see the video and get info about the park. It's got good stuff about things that Moms can do with their kids, information and pictures featuring our newly made over cabanas (can you say UPGRADE) and footage of the park! Don't miss it!

Sometimes a Guy Needs a New Coat...

of paint! This weekend Todd from T.A.L.E.N.T. came out and repainted me, and then added a little something new to the park. Todd gave me my makeover several years ago, but also painted the wave pool building when the new wave system was installed in 2001 and the Hurricane building. I think I look pretty sharp now!

Bright and new!
Up close shot of my belly!

Check out my pearly whites.

And this is the something new! They painted my (gigantic) footsteps. These will go from the wave out to me!

We Need a Gorilla!

Hey folks! We are in need of someone to be me this summer! That's right! ME! A gorilla needs some days off, right?

Waterpark Mascot Tryouts are next Wednesday, June 9, from 4pm - 5pm. These tryouts are going on rain or shine, so make sure you come out and try out!

The tryouts are at Ocean Breeze Waterpark, so park in the main parking lot or have your ride drop you off at the front gate (sorry, no one is allowed with you at the try out). I will meet you at the gate and take you to try out when everyone arrives!

In order to be Hugh Mongous there are a few criteria that must be met:

1. You have to be 5'7" tall.
2. You need to be able to tolerate heat.
3. You have to be able to move well.
4. You need to want to be Hugh Mongous! You need the drive to entertain people and help ensure their visit is a fun one!

A few details about the try out:

• You need to be here at 4pm sharp. That means a quarter to 4. Not a minute later!
• Wear shorts, a t-shirt and sneakers. Please don't show up with jewelry, hats or flip flops on.
• Bring a towel and a CLEAR water bottle (in order to tolerate the heat, you should probably stay hydrated).
• Be prepared to show your ability to move. You will be taught several basic dance moves as a group and we will observe you as a group. You will also be taught a short series of dance moves and be asked to repeat it.
• You will have a brief verbal interview with the manager or a current mascot. Be ready to share dates you will NOT be available to work, as well as WHY you think you should be Hugh Mongous.
• If time allows, you will have the opportunity to try on the costume.

You must RSVP by emailing mwood@oceanbreezewaterpark.com or calling 422-4444 ext. 227 by June 9 at 9 am.

P.S. YOU DO NOT NEED EXPERIENCE TO BE HUGH MONGOUS. All the training will be provided if you are hired. To get hired you need a great attitude and you need to show that you can learn to move like Hugh. See you on the 9th!

Ocean Breeze Waterpark's New Commercial!

Have you all seen our new commercial? If not, check it out here!

Let us know what your favorite part of the commercial is!

Junior Lifeguard Camp!

Do you have (or are you) a child between the ages of 9 and 15 who would be interested in learning first aid, water safety, team building, CPR and rescues? Then I have the perfect idea! Sign them up for Ocean Breeze Waterpark's Junior Lifeguard Camp!

If your child is 9-12 the following sessions are available:

• Session 1 - June 21 - June 25
• Session 2 - June 28 - July 2
• Session 3 - July 5 - July 9
• Session 5 - July 19 - July 23
• Session 6 - July 26 - July 30

If your child is 13 - 15 the following advanced sessions are available:

• Session 4 - July 12 - July 16
• Session 5 - July 19 - July 23
• Session 7 - August 2 - August 6

Advanced sessions include the CPR certification card and book.

Session 5 is available for both age groups so that parents with children in both can sign them up for the same week!

All campers receive an official camp t-shirt and two snacks. Packed lunches need to be provided for each camper. For more information give us a call at 425-1241 or email camp@oceanbreezewaterpark.com to obtain registration materials. The sessions fill up fast so sign your camper up today!

We're Open!

Ocean Breeze Waterpark is officially open for the 2010 season! You can check out our schedule on our blog and also on our website. Also, be sure to become a fan on Facebook and get the latest updates and news!

Over the next week we'll bring some updates about the park's opening, a new paint job for me (I look good!), Father's Day specials, and general news about Ocean Breeze Waterpark!

Did You Guess?

If you guessed that a fresh coat of paint was being applied to Runaway Bay Wave Pool... you were right! In the coming weeks our pools and slides will get new paint. And eventually some water too!

It takes a lot of hard work to get the park ready to open on May 22, and all of our departments pitch in. From setting up shops to painting slides, and getting chairs set up and rafts blown up, this is truly a team effort!

In the coming weeks we'll have even more behind the scenes information. And to all of you who haven't purchased your 2010 season pass they are on sale for $64.99 until May 1st when the season pass price will increase! We are selling passes online, over the phone at 422-4444 and at Greenbrier Mall. Our hours at the mall this week are April 26-28, 3:00-8:00 and April 29-30, 10:00-9:00. Don't forget, prices increase this Saturday, so get yours now!

Which Pool?

It's time to paint the pools!

Which pool is getting painted in this picture?

One Month!

Happy Earth Day everyone! Today officially marks ONE MONTH until we open for the 2010 season! Let the countdown begin!

We are really excited to welcome all of our guests to the Waterpark this year. Over the next few weeks you will get to see all of the work that goes into getting Ocean Breeze Waterpark ready for a new summer of fun!

Admissions Department

Getting everyone in the park everyday takes a lot of hard work! These hard workers are the first impression our guests get when they come to the park, so it's very important to be polite, pleasant, quick and efficient.

Admissions Cashiers
Identify the needs of the customer in a quick, efficient and pleasant manner is the top priority. This experience sets the tone for the rest of the guests visit at Ocean Breeze Waterpark. Admissions cashiers need to be good listeners, have awareness of all current promotional offers and excellent cash handling skills so that the transaction can be fast, friendly and fun. Selling tickets and selling and redeeming season passes are the key responsibilities. Employees in this position work indoors in a very high paced and occasionally high stress environment. An ability to problem solve and patiently handle customer concerns is a plus. Applicants should be levelheaded, confident and approachable. Cashier experience preferred. Must be 18 years of age or older.

Gate Greeters
Welcome our guests to the park! Our gate greeters are the final entrance check point on the way into the park for our guests. This is where we complete a final verification of their tickets before their day of fun in the sun begins. Gate Greeters must be highly aware of who is coming in and going out, and very engaged and focused in their conversations with each guest. Guests have access to this staff from both outside and inside the park so employees in this role must be able to answer a broad variety of questions about the Waterpark. This gate staff also wishes guests farewell when they leave. Applicants must be 16 years of age or older and eager to be ambassadors for the Waterpark. Prior knowledge of the Waterpark is a plus.

Bag Checkers
All bags that go in to the Waterpark are checked for items that are not allowed inside, to protect the general safety and comfort of our guests. The best candidates will be able to accomplish this in a quick and effective manner while being very comfortable enforcing Waterpark rules with a smile. Employees that can make this experience less uncomfortable for our guests are highly valued. Confidence, a good sense of humor and the ability to remain calm are skills that help in this position. Bag checkers work outside in the shade and must be able to stand for the duration of their shift. Applicants should be 18 years of age or older.

Retail
Gift Shop/Candy Store
Sending our customers home with memories of their visit, and ensuring that they have everything they need during their day is the goal of the retail department. Retail employees work in our gift shop, locker rentals, candy store and inner tube rentals areas. We are looking for employees that are approachable, outgoing and excited about suggestive selling. Merchandising and maintaining sales displays and cash handling are essential parts of each position. Sales experience is preferred but if you enjoy setting up displays, are not afraid to interact with customers and you have a positive attitude, join our retail sales team.

Food and Beverage

This time of year gets incredibly busy at the Waterpark! I've been spending the last few weeks conducting interviews, painting pools, selling season passes...oh wait. No I haven't. That's what everyone else does!

Today I'm going to jump back into giving you all some ideas about different jobs at Ocean Breeze Waterpark. I'm going to cover our Food and Beverage department, which has a few exciting choices!

What's your favorite part of amusement parks? It's the food right? Juicy hamburgers, pizza, funnel cake, Dippin' Dots! So many fun and tasty options, and someone has to make them and sell them! We need Food Service Employees to prepare and cook food, serve food, set up and breakdown catering, operate carts, and complete general cleaning and stocking. All of these positions require excellent customer service, and a commitment to satisfying the customers!

We're also looking for Cabana Host/Poolside Servers to take care of our guests that have “paid for shade.” The customers expect a superior level of customer service. Our hospitality team provides food and beverage service to these cabana and poolside guests. To be a cabana server, you need to learn the menu extensively, take orders and remember them, and make sure you deliver them quickly! If you want this job you should be ready for a challenge, love to work outdoors and be eager to give these guests 110%. You need to have strong customer service skills and the ability to work as a team with food preparation staff. And you also must be 18 years of age or older.

We also need a Bartender to pour, shake and serve behind the bar at Scallywags! Our pirate themed establishment needs mixologists that can prepare drink requests efficiently and accurately. Bartenders must provide excellent customer service, maintain the bar area and support the goals of the hospitality team that provides service to cabanas and poolside guests. Previous cashier experience is preferred.

Incentives!

We now interrupt blogging about the different jobs at Ocean Breeze Waterpark to highlight a few of the incentives of actually being an employee!

• You get to work outside all summer long!
• You get to meet and work with new, fun people!
• There are monthly employee parties!
• Competitive pay!
• All Employees get a FREE season pass!
• You get DISCOUNTED season passes for family members!
• FREE tickets to Ocean Breeze Waterpark!
• Competitive pay!
• Incentive program (we're always on the lookout for employees who are doing their job the right way)!
• The opportunity to build your career!

Do any of those things sound like icing on top of the cake of working at waterpark all summer long? Then go online and apply today!

Best of the Beach!

Voting is now under way for the The Virginian Pilot's Best of the Beach! This year we are nominated 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

We have been a Gold recipientof this award for the last four years. We are truly thankful that we have so many supporters who love our park and continue to vote for us!

Voting is incredibly easy! You can create an account on hamptonroads.com and vote online, or you can text your vote in to 21333. Only one text can be received from each cell phone, and you must enter the following text into the body of your message.

Best Family Entertainment: Send the message to 21333 and text the word CEV

Best Children's Entertainment: Send the message to 21333 and text the word CEU

Best Tourist Attraction: Send the message to 21333 and text the word CEW

Thank you for helping to make Ocean Breeze Waterpark the Best of the Beach!

Park Services!

Do you want to help keep Ocean Breeze Waterpark clean? If something is dirty, unorganized or messy – do you need to fix it?

We are looking for focused and detail oriented people to do one of the most crucial jobs at the Waterpark – maintaining the appearance of the facility and grounds. Park service members responsibilities include cleaning and clearing tables, chairs, restrooms, walkways, windows and floors throughout the day. You will also be asked to return tubes, mats and life jackets to their storage positions. Weeding and raking in targeted areas may be requested. Trash collection is also a primary responsibility.

It does get hot and you do a lot of walking and standing, but it's a great job! You get to learn a lot about the park because our guests usually come to you for information. Previous experience is not required, and this position is open to 15 year olds! If you're 15 and looking for a great summer job, this is it!

Aquatics Positions

When it comes to Lifeguarding, only the most responsible candidates should apply. There is the fun aspect of being out in the sun all day, but it goes hand in hand with the responsibility of saving lives. Guest safety is the number one priority for our Lifeguards. If you apply you can expect rigorous training, which we do ourselves. You will learn safety skills, first aid and CPR. But don't expect that to be the only training you receive. Lifeguarding at Ocean Breeze Waterpark also involves daily and weekly training, but you can expect to have a lot of fun doing all of it!

Junior Lifeguard Camp focuses on teaching kids what it means to be a lifeguard! Junior Lifeguard Camp Counselors must love working with children, be considered highly responsible and dedicated to sharing their knowledge with patience and enthusiasm. Ideal candidates will be able to both perform and teach all lifeguard, CPR, and first aid skills in an engaging manner. Junior Lifeguard Camp Counselors will also be trained on sight, so previous experience is not necessary. We do require counselors to be 18 years old.

Our swim instructors promote water safety by teaching children how to be safe around water and develop their swimming skills. This is a very rewarding job, but it requires a responsible and patient person that is great with children. Excellent swimming ability is required. Experience with swim instruction is preferred, and loving working with kids is a must!

Getting Closer!

We're getting closer and closer to the start of our 2010 season! We are so excited to have another opportunity to welcome our guests to the park and get the summer started. One huge part of gearing up for the summer is hiring new employees.

We're currently looking for some great employees in all of our departments. Over the next week I'll be highlighting some of the totally awesome positions available at Ocean Breeze Waterpark. Check back in because I'll highlight one department every day!

If you're looking for a great summer job, you've found your place! Just make sure you check back to find the right fit for you at Ocean Breeze Waterpark!

2010 Ocean Breeze Waterpark Schedule!

Hey Everybody! I wanted to make sure I passed along our 2010 schedule! I can't believe that Ocean Breeze Waterpark opens in less than three months! 85 days to be exact. 85 DAYS? I'm stressing out. There's so much to do before May 22!

For example, we have to hire employees! We have a variety of positions available, and you can apply online or in person at Ocean Breeze Waterpark! If you're looking for a great summer job, apply today!

The Great Blizzard of 2010!

We had a MASSIVE snowstorm here in Virginia Beach last weekend. I got to enjoy the snow all by myself! I got to play in the kiddie area, make snow angels and check out all the cool snow and icicles. It was so fun, but I'm going to be honest with you, I'd really rather have a nice 90 degree day to play in the pool than a snow flurry! All my friends are around, the pools are ready to swim in, and let's be honest, I'm not exactly dressed for snow. I am anxiously counting down the days until the park opens!

Ice, Ice Baby!

We have had some crazy cold weather in Virginia Beach lately. It feels like it has been a never ending stream of cold air and wind, and it is driving me crazy! In my opinion, the biggest waste is that it's so cold, and we haven't gotten any snow! What is the point of the cold if it doesn't come with any white stuff to play in?

It has gotten so cold that some of our splash pools (you know, the pools you "splash into" at the end of a ride?) have frozen over. Our year 'round staffers decided to explore the park and the ice the other day. I guess that's one of the benefits of working at a water park - you get to have fun all summer, and you get to explore the park in the winter! It's all melted now, so they're lucky they got a chance to check it out the other day.

Here are a few pictures of what they came across during their adventure:

Everybody at Mat Splash. I took this myself (you know, because that's where I stand)!

Probably not a good day to ride Jungle Falls!

Well, I'm still trying to find a winter coat, to no avail. Summer, please hurry up and get here!

Hugh

Cold!

It has been really cold at Ocean Breeze Waterpark this week. Really, really cold. There hasn't been any snow, but for a gorilla, it's freezing. Especially when I'm only wearing shorts, a tank top and a Hawaiian shirt. I'd like a coat, and maybe a hat and gloves, but shoes would also be helpful. Unfortunately, there aren't really any of those things in my size. Hmmmmm....

Man I can't wait for it to get warm again!