WORLD NEWS

IN BRIEF WAHC™ CONTINUES TO HAVE POSITIVE IMPACT The 2019 World Aquatic Health™ Conference (WAHC) – the first under the leadership of the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance – recently took place and was deemed a success by organisers with over 390 individuals from eight countries around the world attending. “The World Aquatic Health™ Conference is invaluable,” said PHTA President & CEO Sabeena S. Hickman, CAE. “This is the only place in the world where industry professionals can get a seat at the table and influence what changes and growth we experience.” With nine educational tracks available at WAHC, attendees enjoyed a wealth of research and knowledge, as well as immediate access to industry experts. This year’s courses were centred in areas of water and air quality, new industry technology, the Model Aquatic Health Code, reducing risk in aquatic facilities, recreational water illness prevention, facility management and design, disinfection and sanitation, regulations and standards, and professional development.

S R SMITH ACQUIRES AUSTRALIA’S SUNBATHER PTY LTD US firm S R Smith, a leading manufacturer of swimming pool deck equipment, lighting and access products, has announced the acquisition of Sunbather Pty Ltd – a leading manufacturer of pool energy saving solutions for residential and commercial facilities and a pioneer in the solar pool heating industry in Australia. The company’s portfolio includes solar pool heating panels and accessories, thermal covers and rollers, automatic security covers, hidden pool covers, heat pumps and gas heaters. As part of the purchase of Sunbather, S R Smith also acquired a 50% ownership stake in Aspire Energy Australia, a manufacturer of rigid solar panels.

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Fluidra Celebrates 50th Anniversary With Unprecedented Water Show Fluidra, a global leader in the pool and wellness equipment business, celebrated its 50th Anniversary with an unprecedented water show in the swimming pool at Club Natació Atlètic Barceloneta (CNAB) in Barcelona, an event attended by some 900 spectators. The show, which told the story of Fluidra’s trajectory over the past five decades, was designed and directed by prestigious artistic director Franc Aleu, winner of the most recent Catalan

Regional Government’s National Culture Award (Premis Nacionals de Cultura). The event also featured a performance by the Kallipolis Club artistic swimming team, which was directed by Anna Tarrés, former coach of the Spanish national team. The impressive light and musical show, a convergence of art and beauty with science and technology, also showcased Fluidra’s most advanced technological solutions,

including underwater LED lighting, dynamic water screens, multi-directional nozzles, parabolic and dancing fountains. The event was organised by Bea Strebl’s team at Fluidra, with Julián García and Héctor Cruz hosting the event at the CNAB. From humble beginnings to global wet leisure powerhouse – you can read more about the history of Fluidra over the last 50 years on the SPN website.

Holiday Pool Inspires Bespoke NIVEKO Pool Design The NIVEKO Overflow Advance is a pool with a difference. Rather than featuring a grille type system, NIVEKO has designed this model with a continuous slot around the pool edge into which the water overflows. This feature combines with fantastic finishes of glued stone produced from natural granite.This clean design means that the finishing materials are located under the water level, resulting in a clear line of the pool edge and an accentuated shape. This unique solution caught the eye of German resident Mr Neumann whose friend was having a pool installed. Commenting on his own experience, he said: “My wife and I enjoy swimming and it is our children’s hobby, too. We all feel that in the hustle and bustle of the modern world we should take care to get more exercise, during which we also actually relax. When we decided to reconstruct our garden and terrace, we had a pool installed at the same time. And so how did this happen? By coincidence, a good friend of ours was also choosing a pool at the time and it was quite by chance that we came across NIVEKO. I personally was particularly impressed with the technology and unique design – we care about

quality, which is clearly evident.” The chosen pool was a grey 15x5m NIVEKO Overflow Advance featuring individually designed steps in one corner. Explaining the choice, Mr Neumann said: “While we were on holiday in Greece the hotel swimming pool caught our eye and NIVEKO, as a manufacturer of custom pools, was the only firm able to put our idea into practice. Eventually everything was completed just how we wanted it and we couldn’t be happier with our pool.” NIVEKO s.r.o. +420 572 693 246 www.niveko-pools.com

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