On July 29, the East Lansing Family Aquatic Center, 6400 Abbot Road, held the Summer Splash, an event that included games, contests and food. Part of the event was the belly flop competition. This popular contest challenged kids and adults alike to make the most impressive flop.
As the sun shined Wednesday and the smell of sunscreen wafted through the air, the joyful screams of children resounded from the East Lansing Family Aquatic Center.
The aquatic center, 6400 Abbot Road, hosted its ninth daylong outdoor Summer Splash, an event that included a variety of water events and games, such as a balloon toss, relay races, a cannonball contest and a belly flop contest.
Jim Jennings, East Lansing’s recreation coordinator, said the event has been popular during its nine-year history, drawing about 800 people at last year’s event.
Jennings said at least 500 people participated in the event Wednesday.
“It’s just a fun day of activities and games for everyone,” Jennings said.
In addition to the aquatic fun, local restaurants also provided free food samples for those in attendance and a local DJ played music.
“It’s kind of a day out of the normal,” Jennings said.
One popular event of the day was the belly flop competition. The competition had categories for both adults and children.
Dan Stenzel, a Laingsburg resident, came to the event with his two chilldren and won the adult category.
“It felt like I knocked my eyeballs out of my head,” Stenzels said. “I’m serious, it hurt that bad.”
Pain aside, Stenzel said it was worth it to compete.
Lansing resident Marsha Grill came to the aquatic center with her daughter and three grandchildren. She said she felt the event was nice and well-organized.
“Anytime you get your family together and they’re busy and having fun and creating memories, it’s great,” she said.
Charlotte resident Darlene Crocker also attended the event with her three grandchildren. She said she appreciated the safety precautions taken by the aquatic center.
“I especially like how well the kids are watched,” Crocker said.
Crocker said at other establishments, she was unhappy with the number of lifeguards and their attitude toward the children.
“We’ve gone places where I didn’t feel that the lifeguards were particularly nice to the kids. But these lifeguards seem to watch out for their safety, but they’re also kind and courteous to the kids,” Crocker said.
Darlene Crocker’s grandson, Nick Crocker, a Grand Ledge resident, participated in the four-square contest and won prizes.
“I won the first two prizes,” Nick Crocker said. “But then everybody ganged up on me.”
Cori Crocker, Darlene Crocker’s granddaughter and a Grand Ledge resident, said she came to cool down and swim.
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“I think it’s really cool,” Cori Crocker said, “I enjoy coming here.”
