Sabrina DiStasio
General Manager
Maui Jack's Waterpark
Chincoteague, Virginia - U.S.A.
Featured in
World Waterpark Magazine, October/November 2023
WHAT IS YOUR PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE?
This is going to be my 18th summer of working in Waterparks! I started lifeguarding at a park in Ocean City, Maryland and worked my way up over the summers until I was the operations manager. After I left the park I grew up in, I spent one summer working as a waterpark auditor where I had the opportunity to visit waterparks all along the east coast. Then, a few years ago, I started my adventure here at Maui Jack’s as the General Manager. I now have a passion for waterparks and a lifelong career.
WHAT CERTIFICATION OR LICENSING DO YOU HAVE?
I’m a Certified Pool Operator, Aquatic Facility Operator, NASCO Lifeguard Instructor Trainer, and American Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor. I’m also a voting member of the ASTM F24 committee on Amusement Rides and Devices.
WHAT HONORS, AWARDS OR SPECIAL RECOGNITION HAVE YOU ACHIEVED?
Maui Jack’s won a Wave Review Award for its Billboard in 2022 and this year we have won Best of Virginia’s Eastern Shore Silver Award for Best Kid-Friendly Attraction.
WHAT ASPECT OF THE WATERPARK INDUSTRY DO YOU LIKE BEST?
I love that in this industry things are always changing. Each season brings new staff, new guests, and new challenges. The industry itself is constantly coming up with exciting innovations— one year it’s a rotating slidewheel waterslide, the next its VR snorkeling. No matter how long you work in waterparks, there will always be new experiences and learning opportunities.
WHO HAS MOST INSPIRED YOU IN YOUR CAREER?
I have had the opportunity to work for and with a lot of truly wonderful people. In particular, Mike O’Neil has been a significant influence throughout my career. He strongly encouraged me to apply for my current job at a point when I was considering leaving the industry. Mike has always made himself available and responds to each text or call with patience, encouragement, and a wealth of knowledge. I am forever grateful to have someone like him on my side.
HOW DO YOU KEEP FOCUSED AND MOTIVATED?
Sometimes, the most important thing we can do is take a step back. I’ve found that some of the things I get the most frustrated over have the simplest solutions after I take a few minutes away and can return to the problem with fresh eyes. It’s the same for staying motivated. Spending so much time in the thick of things, it gets easy to lose the magic of what we do. Take a moment to step away from the daily chaos and realize that so much of what we do goes beyond what we see in our financial reports. We get to give our employees the best summer of their lives and a job they’ll remember forever. We give our guests new experiences and memories to last a lifetime. What can be more motivating than that?
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE SOMEONE WHO IS INTERESTED IN WORKING IN THE WATERPARK INDUSTRY?
Go for it! Every day will be a new adventure; there will be long hard days when you don’t think your park will ever open but there will also be so many amazing days where you can’t believe you get paid to do this. And take advantage of the WWA network! It is amazing that despite technically being ‘competitors’ everyone is so willing to help each other out. Don’t be afraid to reach out and ask questions.
WHAT BOOKS OR PUBLICATIONS DO YOU RELY ON MOST FOR INSPIRATION OR MOTIVATION?
I’m extremely lucky to work for Blue Water, a company that strives to inspire and motivate its staff. Earlier this year they handed out copies of ‘Off Balance on Purpose’ and invited its author, Dan Thurmon, to speak at our annual GM Conference. His message about needing to be off balance in order to learn and improve is so relevant to life and this industry.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF YOUR JOB?
I love the variety this job offers. Every day is different from the one before and there are so many moving parts to manage. I love organizing the chaos and being able to offer my staff and guests amazing summer memories.
HOW DID YOU FIRST GET INVOLVED WITH THE WWA?
I’ve been minorly involved for about a decade, but it wasn’t until I came to Maui Jack’s that I really took full advantage of membership and started going to the symposium. San Antonio was my first WWA show and it was an absolutely amazing experience, as was Vegas. I can’t wait to see what New Orleans will bring!
WHAT IS SOMETHING INTERESTING ABOUT YOU THAT FEW KNOW OR WOULD GUESS?
Most people who know me, know that I love to travel; I’ve visited over 20 countries. But not everyone knows that I caught my travel bug because of this industry. My first trip to Europe was to see a fellow lifeguard that I befriended while she was working the summer on a J1 visa—I visited her in Ukraine when she went home at the end of the season. Since then, I’ve visited former employees in Ireland, Italy, and Austria; and I’ve been on recruiting trips to Slovakia and Thailand. •