Thursday, June 11, 2009 — Are you tired of flapping that fan back and forth in front of your face? Have you been opening the freezer door for a quick blast of cool? If so, you're not alone. That's right: summer's in full swing and it's been a hot one here in Millsberry. Fortunately, there are simpler ways to cool off during the Dog Days of summer. One example? Just head on over to the Community Center, go through the pool door, and take a dip in the refreshing water! We bet some of you didn't even know this sparkling blue treasure existed in town!

To help readers splash it up in style, the Gazette met up with Kai, our favorite surfer and surfboard shaper, to learn about some great water games—and safety tips—to help make your time at the pool a blast.

Kai spent one summer as a Millsberry lifeguard, right before traveling the world. He told us, "That summer always reminds me of the game Marco Polo. I had no idea why kids were yelling, 'Marco!' and 'Polo!' all day long. Soon, though, I learned it was a kind of pool-tag, and started to play myself."

The rules are really pretty simple. "One person is 'It'," Kai explained, "which means they have to swim around the pool, keeping their eyes closed, trying to tag another player. To figure out where the other players are 'hiding' they call out 'Marco!' and, when the other players respond with 'Polo!', they move toward the sound. When the 'It' player finally 'catches' another player by tagging them, that person becomes 'It' and another round begins."

Kai suggests playing Marco Polo in shallow water, and with a lifeguard on duty.

Another fun game? Kai's favorite is the Atomic Whirlpool. He explained, "It's best to play this one in a circular pool, and have everyone line up along the edge, real close together.

For the first few minutes, everyone walks single-file—in the same direction—around the pool. Then, for another few minutes, everyone speeds up to a jog. Soon, a current will actually form—and you'll able to sit back and let the water carry you! After that, you can have everyone turn around and go the other way. If you get enough people, the whole thing can work really well!"

Looks like Kai really is a fan of playing in waves! Oh—and, if you're looking for a game that can be played with just two people, Kai suggests buying a volleyball net and squishy ball for your pool—or bringing 'em with you, to the Community Center. You can also just buy the squishy ball and make your own divider with some rope.

And Kai is as serious about safety as he is about fun. "If you're going to the pool without your friends, always make sure a lifeguard is on duty. And, if you don't know how to swim, make sure you're never alone in the pool. If you do know how to swim, you can take some time to practice different strokes—freestyle, back stroke, breast stroke, and butterfly!"

For more pool-safety tips, click here. Plus, check out these wacky items to make swim time even more wild: a swim cap with shark fin, pink "flamingo wing" arm-floaties, and floating-water water goggles!

So practice your strokes, gather your pals, and start chilling out by the pool to have some hot summer fun! Just remember to apply sunscreen throughout the day—and if you see a friend who looks like they could use some, speak up and offer some of yours!