Surf's up for the Mineola dudes and dudettes who flooded through the gates on opening day eager to start their summer of fun at the Mineola Pool.

"Everything went fine," said Director Kyle Teemsma, "We were so happy to see all the familiar faces."

"We had good attendance," added Director Debbie Faller, "and the members were very receptive to the new additions to the pool such as the new eating area."

The ever expanding pool program has made many new additions to the pool including the aforementioned eating area, two new shaded areas, a resurfaced slide, aquatic activities such as a basketball net and other assorted pool equipment.

Another new addition, discount passes, which allow for visitation by guests of pool members, have been actively purchased according to the pool staff.

"We encourage members to come to us with any suggestions to make their summer season special," said Faller.

Many of the staff have returned from last year, but there are some slight changes including the addition of Supervisors Tom Doherty and Jen Harling.

"We are thrilled to have Jen and Tom as supervisors this year," commented Faller.

Harling has been lifeguarding for the past seven years for pools at the Cross Island Y and the Queens College Campus, and Mineola is the only pool to which she has returned. "I am most happy with this pool," she said.

Harling explained her happiness comes as a result of a well run pool with many activities. "This place is very well run. Kyle and Debbie work extra hard," she said.

As head lifeguard, Harling, works with a staff she considers "good and attentive," interacting positively with the pool patrons. "The best way to describe a good lifeguard is one with whom the swimmer feels safe," said Harling.

And speaking of swimming a reminder for all those interested in learning how to swim, that registration for Session II swimming lessons runs from July 10 to July 12. This year the new addition to the swimming lessons is the Angel Fish classes for infants and a parent in the kiddie pool.

With opening day out of the way, the pool staff is eager to get to work on the rest of the summer season's pool activities. As summed up by optimistic clairvoyant and pool staff member Daniel Dragon, "It was an exciting beginning to a fun filled summer."