Interview: Aquaventure's VP of Ops Scott Delsey

Having worked at water parks since the age of 19, Scott Deisley, vice president of operations at Aquaventure, outlines the newest fun-filled rides to open as part of the Tower of Poseidon extenstion to Atlantis The Palm’s waterpark

When did you join the team at Aquaventure Waterpark and what are your responsibilities?
I joined the Aquaventure team on January 27 2008. I am responsible for day to day operations and business development of Aquaventure Waterpark. I look after all outdoor activities including beach operations, the dive centre, water sports, tennis, and buggy service, as well as indoor activities such as Atlantis Kid’s Club and Club Rush Teen Club.

What is your career background?
I have been in the water park business since I was 19 years old. I started as a lifeguard and tube patcher and worked my way up. Before that I worked holidays and summers in construction and in a pizza shop.

What elements of the water park are you most proud of?
Certainly I would have to say the Tower of Poseidon as I was involved in it from its inception. The early designs don’t differ too much from the end result, which is really satisfying since it has been so well received by our guests.

What are some of the latest developments at Aquaventure?
The five new ride experiences on the Tower of Poseidon are definitely the latest and greatest. This expansion to the park represents a US $27m investment, it doubles our slide capacity, and it has some amazing world-first experiences. We have the world’s largest waterslide, the world’s first dual waterslide within a waterslide, the UAE’s only dual racing loops and the longest zip line in the Middle East. The other thrilling rides include two six-person rafting adventures and two duel racing rides allowing friends to compete for thrills. Poseidon’s Revenge, with two terrifying trapdoors and Slitherines, the world’s first ever dual waterslides within a waterslide, are firmly for guests who are on the daring end of the scale. The six-person rafting adventures Aquaconda and Zoomerango are perfect for adventurous, thrill seeking friends with the world’s largest waterslide tube and massive vertical wall that allows guests to experience weightlessness. Finally, the park is now also home to the longest zip line circuit in the Middle East called the Atlantean Flyers.

How many people are you responsible for and what are the challenges associated with managing such a large team?
Managing a team of roughly 500 people is definitely a challenge. Communication and recognition are two of the most difficult aspects, but they are also two of the most important to get right. We try to combine the two whenever possible and make sure to have regular team meetings where we recognise those that have represented us well most recently. It’s best to say, “well done!” in front of everyone and celebrate these accomplishments together.

How do you motivate and manage your team?
Communication of expectations (how to succeed), feedback on performance against expectations (coaching), and goal setting are all important. If people know how to succeed and are given vision to the goal posts, they are usually self-motivated. It’s when the mission, the progress and the measure of success are absent, that people lose focus. Loyalty and respect are big for me; I try to give both liberally.

What is your approach to guest safety at the water park?
Very simply, if it can’t be done safely, don’t do it. If there is risk, identify it, understand it and make a solid and well-thought through plan to reduce or eliminate it. If you can’t reduce or eliminate it, go back to the beginning; don’t do it.