In this Leadership Viewpoint, Mark Hines, the VP of sales and marketing at Paddock Pool Equipment Company, discusses the most pressing challenges and emerging solutions facing community recreational aquatics in 2026. Hines begins by naming staffing — especially lifeguard recruitment and retention — as the top issue for community rec centers. Young people today have many employment options, and lifeguarding often doesn’t offer competitive pay relative to its heavy responsibility. Hines points out that a lifeguard is responsible for saving lives, while a fast-food job offers similar or better pay with far less pressure. He also notes lifeguarding has lost some of its cultural “cool factor,” suggesting there’s an opportunity for creative marketing like TikTok campaigns to reframe the job as desirable and meaningful work.
When shifting to solutions, Hines emphasizes word of mouth and peer networks, observing that friends like to work with friends. He argues paying lifeguards a premium that reflects the seriousness of the role is essential. Additionally, he stresses the importance of creating healthier indoor aquatics environments where staff don’t leave feeling sick, exhausted or irritated by poor air quality.
Further Takeaways
On the innovation front, Hines highlights multi-use aquatics designs that serve a wide range of users throughout the day. He describes lazy rivers that can slow down for morning programs and then speed up for afternoon play, along with climbing walls and surf features that draw diverse participation. Hines shares an example from South Carolina where a multi-pool environment with curving bodies of water, beach entries, an adults-only pool and kid-focused areas was intentionally built to attract a specific community, with housing developed around the concept.
Hines closes by underscoring inclusivity as his single best piece of advice. Drawing on a conversation with a colleague, he argues inclusive facilities always win. This means designing spaces that truly welcome everyone and ensuring each guest can find a place and experience that feels like it was made for them.
Enjoy!
