As the summer sun beats down on Durango, locals and tourists are flocking to Lake Nighthorse to sunbathe, swim, boat and enjoy the inflatable Wibit Aqua Park.

This season, the city rolled out a slew of new rules and regulations in an effort to protect the Wibit and those using it.

“We’re seeing a lot less injuries. And people are actually far happier,” said Sean Willis, operation supervisor for Lake Nighthorse. “We might get a complaint every once in a while saying ‘this isn’t how you used to do things,’ but then once they go on (the Wibit) and come back off, they have all said that it was a much more enjoyable experience.”

The new rules establish a reservation system for Wibit use. Each session lasts an hour and 45 minutes, and is limited to 60 people. Tickets can be purchased on-site for $5 starting at 9:30 a.m., Willis said.

Before this season, Wibit use was included in the price of admission to Lake Nighthorse and was difficult to regulate, Willis said.

“There was supposed to be a 60-person cap,” he said. “But last year, it was kind of a free-for-all, which made it really hard to actually keep track of how many people are on that.”

The 60-person limit, which follows manufacturer guidelines, makes it easier for lifeguards to monitor everything, he said.

“I’ve heard a lot of people talking good about the new changes for this year,” said Connor Gizinski, a lifeguard at Lake Nighthorse. “Last year, I’d see people getting pushed off by random people all the time. But with 60ish maximum, it makes it a whole lot easier to watch everyone.”

While public reception seems positive, some users have expressed qualms with the new system in place, saying it limits accessibility for those who cannot arrive early enough to secure tickets.

Ellie Casis, a Wibit cashier, said it is not unusual for most sessions to sell out on hot July days. But the last session, which spans from 4 to 5:45 p.m., usually stays open.

Another new rule requires all Wibit users to wear life vests issued on-site, which are built into the $5 session charge.

Life vests were always required for Wibit users, Willis said, but in previous years, people could bring their own.

“We changed (the policy) because we had some play features that had popped last year from people’s life jackets, (which) had things like knives on them,” he said.

Overall, public reception of the new Wibit regulations seem to be positive and parents appreciate the added safety persecutions, Casis said.

“As a parent of three children ranging from 7 to almost 11, (the new rules) make me feel more confident because I’m not out in the water with them,” said Afton Byrne, who is visiting a friend from Houston. “I feel more comfortable with them going out with life jackets, knowing there’s a lifeguard and a max capacity.”

lveress@durangoherald.com