SPLASH August-September 2020

Swimming Pools / Leisure / Aquatics / Spas / Health

Issue 131 August/September 2020

Awards of Excellence Part I: State and territory awards Springtime heating For swimming pools

Secondary disinfection

Making pool water even better

www.splashmagazine.com.au

Zero depth moveable floor In a city public pool

AR

Download the AIS Water AR app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and scan the AIS Water logo to learn “Why choose AIS?”

Pixie RP10 features:

The Pixie is perfect for plunge pools, swim spas, jacuzzis, spas, hot tubs and small volume water features.

Chlorine output -10g/hr Compact and lightweight form factor - allowing easy handling and installation in tight spaces Stylish – featuring a space-efficient micro design Functionality – providing low chlorine output, geared for small water volumes Robust Powder-Coated Steel Construction - delivering a durable and corrosion resistant enclosure Simple User Interface - retaining only essential control functions Robust and Reliable Transformer - resistant to power fluctuations and high temperatures Tinted Polycarbonate Front Cover – protecting the user interface against direct sunlight

There is a significant trend in Australia toward higher density living, making properties smaller and space at a premium.

IP56 Waterproof Switch and Circuit Breaker - providing safer user interaction

However, people still want their private pool, and this means the plunge pool and spa market has exploded.

Multiple safety measures – preventing damage caused by overloading, water flow interruption, high/low salinity and other unforeseen events

This smaller application requires specifically designed pool chlorination technology. Being true to our purpose, we responded quickly to market demands with the launch of the purpose-built Pixie RP10.

External Aluminium Heatsink - providing enhanced cooling to alleviate internal heat Reverse Polarity (RP) Function - reduces calcium build-up on electrodes, resulting in less maintenance

Unlike other costly and dangerous chlorine generators designed for much larger water volumes, the Pixie provides real peace of mind because of its cost-efficiency, simplicity, reliability and ease of installation.

Genuine AIS Anode - ensuring the longevity of the electrolytic cell Proudly Australian Designed and Manufactured

Specifications Model

Chlorine Output* g/h

Input AC Power Consumption* Kilowatt hour (kWh)

Input Current Amps (A)

Water Flow L/mins

Dimensions (Packaged) L x W x H cm

Weight (Packaged) kg

Dimensions (Power Supply) L x W x H cm

Approximate Pool Size m3

Salinity Range ppm

Pixie RP10

10*

0.085*

0.4

150 – 450

48 x 35 x 17

5.5

23.0 x 21.4 x11.2

20

4000 - 5500

*All test were conducted at the temperature of 26°C, pH 7.7, Salinity level 5000 ppm and Flow rate 200 l/m.

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Published by The Intermedia Group Pty Ltd ABN 940 025 83 682 41 Bridge Road, Glebe, NSW, 2037 Australia Ph: (02) 9660 2113 Fax: (02) 9660 4419 On behalf of The Swimming Pool & Spa Association of Australia Ltd (SPASA Australia) Publisher: Simon Cooper Managing Editor: Chris Maher Phone: 0412 048 639 Email: chrismaher@intermedia.com.au

editorial Doing things differently

Contributors: Veda Dante, Cal Stanley, Adrian Lacy, David Lloyd.

Advertising Manager: David Stennett Phone: 0404 725 554 Email: david@spasa.com.au Art Director: Adrian Tipper Production Manager: Jacqui Cooper Subscriptions: 1800 651 422 Email: subscriptions@intermedia.com.au Copyright All material in this publication is copyright to the publisher and/or its contributors. No material may be reproduced without the express permission of the publishers.

Disclaimer: This publication is published by The Intermedia Group Pty Ltd (the “Publisher”) on behalf of SPASA Australia. Materials in this publication have been created by a variety of different entities and, to the extent permitted by law, the Publisher accepts no liability for materials created by others. All materials should be considered protected by Australian and international intellectual property laws.

Unless you are authorised by law or the copyright owner to do so, you may not copy any of the materials. The mention of a product or service, person or company in this publication does not indicate the Publisher’s endorsement. The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent the opinion of the Publisher, its agents, company officers or employees. Any use of the information contained in this publication is at the sole risk of the person using that information. The user should make independent enquiries as to the accuracy of the information before relying on that information. All express or implied terms, conditions, warranties, statements, assurances and representations in relation to the Publisher, its publications and its services are expressly excluded save for those conditions and warranties which must be implied under the laws of any State of Australia or the provisions of Division 2 of Part V of the Trade Practices Act 1974 and any statutory modification or re-enactment thereof. To the extent permitted by law, the Publisher will not be liable for any damages including special, exemplary, punitive or consequential damages (including but not limited to economic loss or loss of profit or revenue or loss of opportunity) or indirect loss or damage of any kind arising in contract, tort or otherwise, even if advised of the possibility of such loss of profits or damages. While we use our best endeavours to ensure accuracy of the materials we create, to the extent permitted by law, the Publisher excludes all liability for loss resulting from any inaccuracies or false or misleading statements that may appear in this publication.

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Chris Maher Managing Editor chrismaher@ intermedia.com.au

Everyone at SPLASH! is thinking of the people in Victoria suffering business or personal losses because of the ongoing pandemic. We wish you all the best and hope this will soon be over, and you’ll come out the other side stronger than ever.

I must also mention that while a lot of people are suffering around the country, there are also a lot of businesses – pool builders in particular – who are reaping the rewards of homeowners’ recognition that if you’re going to be spending a lot of time in your home, it’s much better with a swimming pool or a spa to relax in.

Anecdotal evidence continues to pour in saying that pool builders are filling their books, and spa manufacturers are having trouble keeping up with demand. There are some issues of lagging supply chains in some segments, but hopefully the demand will continue long after those issues have been resolved. The other thing that is lagging is the DA reporting, which is showing declines that don’t match the anecdotal and other evidence. Hopefully the two data sets will correlate soon, and the picture will become clearer.

This awards season was the first ever conducted virtually, having to forgo the usual celebrations and networking that accompanies the gala events. However, the new way of doing things was successful and the award submissions were impressive. Of course, we’re all getting used to doing things a little differently now.

We want to feature all the winners of the various awards of excellence, and as there are so many awards around the country, we’ve decided to split the coverage into two parts. This issue we look at the state and territory awards. Next issue we will look at the national awards, including delving into some of the big ones in more depth, and also at the New Zealand awards.

Congratulations to everyone who won an award, and also to everyone who contributed to raising the profile of the industry by entering their best work, whether you ended up with a gong or not.

Well done!

Copyright © 2020 - SPASA Australia.

Proudly supported by

The views expressed in this magazine do not necessarily represent those of the above supporters, nor should any product advertised in SPLASH! magazine be seen to be endorsed by the above.

This issue’s cover The Intermedia Group takes its Corporate and Social Responsibilities seriously and is committed to reducing its impact on the environment. We continuously strive to improve our environmental performance and to initiate additional CSR based projects and activities. As part of our company policy we ensure that the products and services used in the manufacture of this magazine are sourced from environmentally responsible suppliers. This magazine has been printed on paper produced from sustainably sourced wood and pulp fibre and is accredited under PEFC chain of custody. PEFC certified wood and paper products come from environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial and economically viable management of forests. The wrapping used in the delivery process of this magazine is 100% biodegradable.

The cover shows Mermaid Pool Constructions’ winning Pool & Spa Combination project from the South Australian state awards. There is more on the state and territory awards from page 43.

Photographer: Peter Hoare

August/September 2020 SPLASH! 7

Contents

43 25

The right filter for a VS pump Cal Stanley looks at the different types of swimming pool filters to see which ones help get the most from your variable speed pump.

32

27

Why We Swim A review of Bonnie Tsui’s exploration into the human relationship to swimming and our innate connection to water.

28

Industry Snapshot: Bryan Goh In our latest industry snapshot, we talk to Waterco’s marketing director about his beginnings in the industry, and where swimming pool and spa technology is heading.

32

Secondary disinfection making pool and spa water even better Veda Dante looks at the benefits of secondary disinfection and investigates which forms are gaining popularity among end-users.

State Awards of Excellence All the winners and runners up in the state SPASA Australia swimming pool and spa awards: New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Queensland, the Territories and the SPASA WA awards.

67

Competition pools get a second life The pools from Taipei’s 2017 University Games have been repurposed for Olympic hopefuls at an elite national training centre.

14

30

Heating for the shoulder season Tim Martin looks at how pool owners can take advantage of swimming pool heating to further extend their swimming season.

43

68

Ashfield Aquatic Centre nears completion Sydney’s Inner West Council is preparing to open its newly redeveloped $45 million Ashfield Aquatic Centre by October, and it includes some standout features.

regulars 68

News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Pool DAs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Commercial news . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 New products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72 Ad index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74

August/September 2020 SPLASH! 9

news

Covid-19

Keep updated on Melbourne’s restrictions Below is information on Melbourne’s Stage 4 restrictions relevant to pool and spa businesses. However, it is highly advisable to check www.splashmagazine.com.au and www. business.vic.gov.au for up-to-date information on Melbourne and also on the Stage 3 regional Victorian restrictions, as the situation is very fluid and can change within a very short period.

Additionally, SPASA is requesting clarification on some points and when that becomes available we will publish it online.

Construction sites All sites will: • Have a High Risk CovidSafe Plan in place that is regularly updated. Where practicable CovidSafe Plans should be designed with input from employees and their representatives; • Allow no more than one worker per four square metres of enclosed workspace.

All employees, supervisors and on-site specialists will be: • Prohibited from car-pooling to and from work; • Required to inform their employer if they share accommodation with anyone working at another high-risk workplace; • Required to limit movement between multiple sites and observe enhanced PPE and hygiene measures if working between sites.

Each small-scale construction site will: • Reduce the number of people on-site to five people plus a supervisor at any one time; • Limit movement of workers between different sites where possible, and only with appropriate guidance; • Supervisors can move between sites and specialist contractors can move between up to three sites per week, subject to enhanced CovidSafe practices.

Worker Count: All workers count towards the applicable daily worker limit with the exception of workers specifically dedicated to oversight of CovidSafe functions in the workplace.

Renovations: Trades people and builders can only visit a home for renovations if the homeowners have fully vacated the property and are not staying there during the period of Stage 4 restrictions.

If homeowners have vacated the property, then renovations can proceed in line with restrictions on residential construction.

If homeowners are still living at the property, then trades people and builders can only make emergency repairs.

Pool shops and technicians: Pool shops and pool & spa service technicians are only permitted to operate 10 SPLASH! August/September 2020

contactless ‘click and collect’ and delivery services with strict safety protocols in place.

Pool & spa service along with maintenance activities can only take place for urgent, emergency residential repair and maintenance or where work relates to the health and safety of homeowners.

Manufacturing sector guidance: Ancillary and support businesses are able to open on-site to ensure the necessary production, supply, manufacture, repair, maintenance, cleaning, security, wholesale, distribution, transportation or sale of equipment, goods or services required for the operations of a Permitted Work Premises, or for Closed Work Premises where there are safety or environmental obligations. The business cannot operate onsite for any other purpose.

Employer obligations: Under the Stage 4 restrictions, workplaces that remain open must: • Have a CovidSafe Plan in place that is regularly updated (unless you are a small business with fewer than 5 employees); • Ensure that any workers that can work from home are able to do so; • Collect records of all workers, subcontractors, customers and clients attending the work premises for 15 minutes or longer (certain exemptions will apply); • One worker per four square metres of enclosed workspace or in shared areas; • Unless an exemption applies, ensure that workers do not work across multiple sites, or for multiple employers; • Ensure that workers are in good health – workers cannot work if they are unwell and employers must not require workers with symptoms to work; • If your worker is unwell, send them home and direct them to be tested. They must stay home until they have their result; • Report any positive cases of coronavirus (Covid-19) to DHHS, Worksafe, Health and Safety Representatives, and notify your workforce; • Regularly clean your facilities, shared spaces and provide additional cleaning supplies; • Undertake risk assessments for cleaning and the potential closure of your workplace in certain situations.

For more information including advice on restrictions, commercial rent reduction, waivers and grants; creating CovidSafe Plans; and the permitted worker scheme, go to: www.business.vic.gov.au

Data

WA Completion Guarantee numbers tell a positive story Western Australia’s Completion Guarantee numbers show a remarkable contrast to the reported DA numbers (see panel on the opposite page ) that are currently available through Cordell. While there can be a delay on the DA numbers and they are not comprehensive, they do show a trend.

Currently, that trend seems to be lagging a long way behind the builders’ order books, in a pattern that is replicated in other states.

Anecdotal evidence is indicating a surge in interest in pool builds and installations pretty much across the country. And this trend is not just exhibited in Australia but is also in evidence in other countries including Europe and the US, as reported in the Edition 129.

SPASA WA CEO Bryce Steele has confidence in his numbers, as the data is collected through the Completion Guarantees which are submitted within 10 days of the contract being signed.

According to these figures, Steele says total pool sales in WA are up for the year-to-date by 40 per cent; and are up by 70 per cent when comparing the three months of May-July with the same period last year. This contrasts with the DA numbers which show the WA threemonthly figures down by 60 per cent.

Hopefully the reported DA numbers will soon catch up.

Steele says they have been proactive with significant social media and radio spots promoting the advantages of holidaying at home with your own backyard pool, and believes this may have helped grow interest among consumers, on top of the highly successful consumer expo just prior to the virus impacting the Australian scene.

West Australians are turning their backyards into staycation-friendly spaces.

Image: North Shore Pools & Landscaping, winner of concrete pools up to $50k category in the SPASA WA awards. There is more on these awards on page 58.

news

DA numbers closing on anecdotal positivity The constant stream of anecdotal news suggesting very high consumer interest (see story on the opposite page) in building pools and buying spas has yet to materialise in the available DA figures, although the three monthly numbers are coming closer, showing a decrease of only four per cent over the corresponding period last year. The numbers for August-to-July show New South Wales up by 13 per cent, Queensland up by six per cent, and all other states down: South Australia by 28 per cent, Western Australia by 45 per cent and Victoria by 20 per cent.

The annual figures to July show the DAs down by nine per cent, with Queensland up by two per cent, South Australia down by one per cent, New South Wales down by two per cent, Victoria down by 25 per cent and Western Australia down by 33 per cent.

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Informed customers and safe stores

Apr May

Reece’s daily email0 bulletins, online news hub and key updates on Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July social media channels have kept their customers informed of what state restrictions mean for them.

Old New “We’re doing our bit 5000 by making government information easy to understand, and by providing links to important documents, such as 4000 essential work permits,” she says.

“By keeping our customers informed, we are helping them work 3000 safely and legally, ensuring that they can keep doing jobs that are vital in our industry.”

2000 Morling says their trade stores are still open and their people are 1000levels of hygiene, including the wearing of masks, practising heightened the regular use of hand sanitiser, enhanced cleaning of trade counters 0 andJuly contactless product hand-over barriers.

NSW VIC QLD WA SA June “We have also implemented clear signage throughout our stores to communicate the measures and processes in place. We are encouraging our customers to use the maX app, online ordering and delivery, or our contactless click and collect service to minimise contact and potential spread of covid-19.”

Additionally, they are keeping a record of all tradespeople and team members who enter their stores.

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Yearly comparison by State

The retail side of the industry is suffering particularly heavily in Melbourne at the moment, and Ashley Morling, Reece Irrigation & Pools marketing coordinator, says they are doing all they can to help pool technicians and retailers.

“As the state of Victoria faces one of its toughest challenges yet, we’re doing everything we can to support tradies in keeping the community healthy and safe – while also keeping our people safe and our stores open,” she says. “This includes pool professionals and the important role they play in providing environments that promote wellbeing,” she says.

Old “Following the announcement ofNew Level 4 restrictions across 2500 metropolitan Melbourne, and Level 3 restrictions in the rest of Victoria, we have moved quickly to ensure we continue to provide the level of 2000 service our customers demand, and the community expects.”

1500 Morling says Reece has worked with industry bodies and the Victorian Government to help drive a solution that ensures the industry, their 1000 people and their customers can support the community into the future.

Three-monthly comaparison

Keeping retail safe

Yearly comparison by month

Covid-19

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While these figures give an indication of the way the market is trending, they are not comprehensive and don’t include all pools built or even all DAs lodged. By some estimates, the total national numbers including all types of pools could be almost double these figures. They do not include pool projects that are approved as part of a new home, smaller projects under the cost threshold, renovations that don’t require a DA, or some aboveground pools. Additionally, not all councils are forthcoming with data or report on time; councils in some states such as Queensland and Victoria are particularly reluctant. For further information, call Cordell Information on 1800 80 60 60. *Please note the May 2020 figures for Queensland have now been updated to the new figures.

August/September 2020 SPLASH! 11

0

news

Safety

Pool barrier standard to be rewritten The project to amend Australian Standard AS1926.1 – Swimming pool safety – Safety barriers for swimming pools, has been shelved in favour of a complete rewrite.

The amendment review began in 2017 and changes proposed in the AS1926.1 draft included a number of new requirements that had the potential to impact the swimming pool and spa industry.

However, there were concerns that the new draft may be more complex than necessary and may not achieve the initial proposed objective to reduce the need for interpretation and the potential for ambiguity, and to provide greater clarification.

SPASA Australia COO Spiros Dassakis had led the push to revise the standard and to ensure the ambiguities in the draft were addressed.

This included a series of roadshows travelling the country getting feedback on the draft standard, meeting with government and ensuring the industry was informed about the mooted changes in the draft and their potential to continue the ambiguity in some aspects of barrier enforcement.

Keep informed by subscribing to the free online newsletter.

First Graphene announces supply contract with ALT Graphene will be incorporated into fibreglass pool shells manufactured by Aquatic Leisure Technologies following a two-year exclusive sales agreement.

He says the consultation of AS1926.1 received the highest number of comments of any standard in the history of Australian Standards.

“Of the total of 3103 comments that Standards Australia received, SPASA Australia can claim responsibility for at least 2650 comments obtained through its advocacy engagement with members and other stakeholders,” he says.

“Due to the overwhelming response received by Standards Australia from all stakeholders from the consultation process, Standards Australia recognises the many, varied and significant issues within the current draft standard.”

In view of the comments received, new data and research outcomes that have emerged since project commencement in 2017, Standards Australia has made the decision to cancel the current AS 1926.1 revision project.

Project scoping for a new program of work for the CS-034 Swimming Pools and Spas technical committee will commence immediately, with a new proposal anticipated to be prepared in the coming weeks.

Top five online news stories

The online stories that made the news over the past two months.

Clarified guidelines for Victorian builders and technicians Business Victoria provided updated guidelines for construction businesses operating during the current Stage 4 restrictions in Victoria.

12 SPLASH! August/September 2020

Advice on requirements for re-opening public pools ASCTA put together some infographics and links to help public pool operators and swim schools navigate the changes needed to reopen public pools in each state.

Consumer interest in swimming pools surges Despite the current pandemic, many swimming pool and spa businesses have been reporting a positive sales experience.

Victorian government proposes CPD framework for pool builders DELWP is considering implementing a CPD program for building practitioners, which will include pool builders and licensed and registered plumbers.

news

Upcoming events 2020 Sept 9-11

Japan Build 2020 Intex Osaka

Sept 22

Pool & Spa Water Treatment Program, SPASA WA office

Sept 23

Pool Systems Diagnosis & Maintenance, SPASA WA office

Sept 23-24 The 2nd International IAKS Pool Conference, Asker, Norway Oct 15-16

World Aquatic Health Conference [Virtual]

Oct 24

SPASA Vic Awards of Excellence [TBC]

Nov 11-13

US International Pool Spa Patio Expo and DeckExpo [Virtual]

2021 Feb 2-5

Spatex 2021, Ricoh Arena Coventry, UK

Feb 5-7

Melbourne Summer Pool & Spa Show, MCEC

Mar 6-7

Perth Pool Spa & Outdoor Living Expo, Claremont Showground

May 17-19

AALARA Conference, Gold Coast

May 22-23

Brisbane Pool Spa & Outdoor Living Expo

July 16-18

Melbourne Winter Spa & Pool Show, MCEC

Aug 24

Andrew Simons Golf Day, Gold Coast

Aug 25

Women in Industry Breakfast, Gold Coast

Aug 25-26 SPLASH! Pool & Spa Trade Show, Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre Aug 26

National Awards of Excellence, Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre

More details at splashmagazine.com.au. Dates are subject to change and should be checked with the relevant organisation.

Send calendar submissions to info@splashmagazine.com.au.

August/September 2020 SPLASH! 13

news

Market

Spa segment buoyant, capacity dependant

Surfside Pools Commercial Gold winner of Inground Commercial Spa in the Queensland SPASA Awards of Excellence 2020

Adrian Lacy, manager of national spa parts supplier Spatex, says that the spa sector has been receiving a lot of interest from consumers in light of the pandemic restrictions.

He believes that, like the entire swimming pool and spa industry according to feedback he’s had, spas are doing extremely well.

“We’ve been as busy throughout the pandemic as we are in the four weeks leading up to Christmas,” he says.

“I’m assuming it’s mainly due to the many idle minds stuck at home making use of their time to fix everything in the backyard.”

However, he says the big issue going forward will be trying to maintain supply from

manufacturers with reduced capacity, and the heavily inflated international freight cost to import product in order to keep up with demand.

The issue of material supply affecting latent demand for pool and spa industry product may be felt in other segments as well.

But there is another warning, as at the moment the consumers capacity to pay is dependent on the economy, which is itself currently dependent on government financial stimulus.

“We are hoping this level of sales for the industry will continue through to Christmas without dipping when JobKeeper payments reduce,” he says.

Construction

Outdoor renovations continue despite coronavirus Pools are popular on Houzz.

Image: Danny Broe Architect, photography by Mark Wilson

Houzz recently surveyed its community of homeowners to find out how the coronavirus pandemic impacted their home improvement projects. The survey of more of 2200 Australian homeowners using Houzz found that nearly two-thirds of homeowners who were in the midst of a home renovation or design project when the coronavirus pandemic was declared on March 12 were able to continue with their renovations (62 per cent). Only two per cent cancelled an ongoing project. Of the 25 per cent who put their project on hold, more than half felt that their project was not urgent and could resume at a later date (56 per cent).

The survey also found that 30 per cent of homeowners were looking at improving their property with an outdoor project.

Other key findings were: • Spending time at home inspires future projects: Confinement to our homes has inspired homeowners to upgrade certain areas of the home to better enjoy it. In fact, three-quarters of homeowners (75 per cent) reported that they are thinking of

changes that would help them enjoy their home more, with outdoor, kitchen and bathroom projects topping wish lists (30 per cent, 26 per cent and 24 per cent, respectively).

• More activities in the home: Many Australian homeowners reportedly spent more time at home decluttering or organising their homes (56 per cent) followed by cleaning and tidying up (51 per cent). They also reported to be doing more cooking and baking (47 per cent) and working from home (26 per cent).

• Using online tools to continue renovating: More than four in five homeowners with ongoing home improvement projects are working with home professionals (86 per cent). Many homeowners reported that they find it helpful to utilise online tools for shopping, invoicing and payments, remote communication and contract approvals, in order to move forward with their projects. Tools to accomplish this can be found in the Houzz Pro marketing and management software, which Houzz released last month.

*Data was sourced from an online survey fielded to Australian Houzz users between 29 June and 6 July.

14 SPLASH! August/September 2020

news

Chris Meyer says despite the challenges, local pool builders are smashing records and gearing up for a record-breaking summer Covid-19

Pool builders capitalising on stay-at-home market With long-term travel restrictions being enforced in March, householders locked into their own states or even localities quickly turned to their backyards as an escape. Swimming pools very quickly became seen as a backyard essential.

“Suddenly the dream of owning a swimming pool became a necessity,” says Chris Meyer, managing director and owner of Narellan Pools.

“We quickly implemented a sales strategy targeting a motivated market,” he says. “Enquiries for our fibreglass swimming pools have been at a record high throughout the lockdown period, across both our domestic and international markets, as we observed new market segments and trends emerging with clients accustomed to staying at home.”

In Port Macquarie NSW, Jason Hardes and the team from Narellan Pools Mid North Coast noticed the shifts firsthand.

“We’ve sold 40 pools in the past four months alone,” says Hardes, who joined Narellan Pools last year after more than 20 years installing pools as an independent in Port Macquarie. This reflects anecdotal evidence of other pool builders quickly filling up their books.

Expanding stateside

After dominating the Australasian market, Meyer is now setting his sights on the US market.

“Our aim is to have 100 licensees operating in 2021 across the US,” he says.

“We already have more than 25 franchisees operating in Canada and just like Australia and New Zealand we are seeing record enquiries, sales and demand for a Narellan Pool in this market.

“It’s not just our world class fibreglass pools we are exporting, but our unique business model that harnesses talent and grows a network of highly successful and profitable pool builders.

“While this year has had many challenges, our network of local pool builders are smashing records, and with our support are gearing up for another record-breaking summer.”

Narellan Pools was established nearly 50 years ago in humble beginnings in a chicken shed in south west Sydney and has grown to be recognised as a world leading pool manufacturer of technologically advanced fibreglass pools.

Since 2002, Narellan Pools has operated under a franchise model operating on the basis of exclusive territories, which Meyer says creates safety and security leading to a collaborative culture where sharing information is welcomed and enjoyed.

August/September 2020 SPLASH! 15

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Training

Chemical Tips

Keeping your family and friends safe in the pool this summer With lockdowns, travel restrictions and general concern about the spread of coronavirus, it is likely that most people will be spending more time at home this summer.

The backyard pool will probably become the centre of attention for both family and friends.

We have been asked by many of our customers “Will chlorine kill the coronavirus?”

The short answer is: Yes. A correctly balanced and chlorinated pool will not allow the virus to be spread through the water.

Obviously, all the other normal precautions should be taken such as social distancing, hand hygiene and adequate cleaning of facilities and surfaces.

While it may be difficult to maintain social distancing in spas and hot tubs, every effort should be made to avoid body contact to minimise the risk of spreading infection.

The addition of using secondary sanitisers such as UV, ozone or AOP will further reduce the risk of the virus spreading.

These tips are supplied by International Quadratics’ David Lloyd. For more information call (02) 9774 5550.

16 SPLASH! August/September 2020

Victorian government proposes CPD framework for pool builders The Victorian Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) is considering implementing a program of continuing professional development (CPD) for building practitioners, which will include pool builders and licensed and registered plumbers.

DELWP issued a consultation paper outlining options for implementing a mandatory CPD framework and SPASA Australia responded with a detailed submission looking at the benefits and potential hurdles for the industry.

The consultation paper presented three high-level options for introducing the CPD framework in Victoria with particular focus on the possible learning content that could inform a CPD scheme.

The three high-level options provided were: • Option 1: Do not introduce mandatory CPD in Victoria – acknowledging that voluntary schemes are being utilised by some industry organisations.

• Option 2: Introduce mandatory CPD for all registered building practitioners and licensed and registered plumbers and allow practitioners to select their own subjects based on selfidentified learning needs.

• Option 3: Introduce mandatory CPD for all registered building practitioners and licensed and registered plumbers and prescribe a mixture of compulsory and non-compulsory subjects.

SPASA Australia has advocated in its submission that if a CPD mandatory scheme was implemented, it should be accessible, flexible, user-friendly and low cost. On that basis and following feedback from members, SPASA Australia supported Option 2.

Spiros Dassakis, COO of SPASA Australia says that CPD is important because the swimming pool and spa industry is constantly evolving, and that Option 2 allows skills to be updated, refreshed and monitored in a way that allows practitioners to identify deficiencies in their skill set and undertake topics that will address their specific knowledge gaps.

“With innovations in technology, changes in regulation, and ever-increasing project scopes, CPD can help frame our industry as professional, technically up-to-date and trustworthy,” Dassakis says.

He says that CPD benefits the pool and spa industry in the following ways: • Keeps knowledge and skills up to date • Assists employers to meet business goals • Fosters greater work commitment and productivity • Encourages dedication to job functionality • Ensures standards across an organisation are consistently high • Decentralises knowledge allowing for the sharing of information • Fosters an environment of support and development • Identifies and increases employee potential and opportunities • Boosts employee morale and lifts company culture • Helps to groom and mentor careers • Lowers defects and risk to business • Increases consumer, regulator and government confidence • Lifts professionalism so that we are attractive to new entrants Go to splashmagazine.com.au/quicklinks-forsplash-131/ to see the consultation paper and the response.

NSW CPD extension

New South Wales builders and swimming pool builders looking to renew their licence between 1 May and 31 December 2020 will only have to have completed nine CPD points in the preceding 12 months.

Travel restrictions and event cancellations throughout the covid-19 pandemic have made it difficult for builders to keep their professional knowledge up to date. For this reason, NSW Fair Trading has temporarily reduced the minimum number of continuing professional development (CPD) points from 12 to nine.

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Spa Tech Tips Selling maintenance products In addition to sanitising and balancing chemicals, and test strips or kits, there are many maintenance products specific to spas that you can upsell to your customer to keep their spa in new condition.

Covers, pillows and synthetic cabinets: 303 Aerospace Protectant is like sunscreen for vinyl and plastics. It will keep spa covers, pillows and cabinets supple and looking good for many years.

Spa cover removal: numerous spa cover lifters are available to aid cover lifting/replacement by one person with minimal effort.

Spa cover or whole spa protectors: these lightweight covers protect the spa from harsh sunlight in periods of low use to further extend cover and cabinet life.

Acrylic surface: crushed walnut shell cleaning pads are non-abrasive and do an excellent job removing surface scum lines.

Dirt/debris in the spa: easily removed with an underwater vacuum cleaner – pump action and rechargeable models are available and filter out fine particles.

This will protect against jet bearing damage.

Filter cartridge cleaning: made easy with a specialty filter cleaner hose fitting.

Replacement filter cartridges: in spas, filter cartridges should generally be replaced every 18-24 months.

Many spas use disposable fine micron polyspun filters for superior water clarity. The filters should generally be replaced every 3-12 months depending on type.

These tips are supplied by Adrian Lacy of Spatex. For more information call 1300 772 839.

BWT has gained considerable exposure through their Formula One sponsorship, which also will enable local resellers and consumers to attend the Australian Grand Prix

Distribution

Lincoln to distribute BWT pool robots Leading Australian pool product distributor Lincoln Pool Equipment has reached an agreement with Best Water Technologies Group (BWT) to distribute pool robots in Australia.

Established in 1990, Austrian business BWT acquired Israeli pool robot manufacturer Aquatron in 2019, a company that has been making pool robots for 25 years and is recognised as one of the leading global pool robot manufacturers.

BWT CEO Andreas Weissenbacher says the collaboration with Lincoln is an exciting opportunity for expansion and entry into the Australian market with their new range of robotic cleaners.

He says their research identified Lincoln as a leading pool product distribution company with an international reputation for distributing and promoting quality products.

“This was supported with outstanding logistics, customer service and technical advice, which is an excellent fit with BWT’s reputation in the European market,” he says.

CEO and owner of Lincoln Pool Equipment, Lindsay Hartshorne, says he and his team are enthusiastically looking forward to a successful, long term relationship with BWT. “The product and marketing support provided by BWT is exceptional and the

planned promotional activity to establish the brand in Australia would include BWT’s Formula One sponsorship, with opportunities for robot resellers and consumers to attend the Formula One Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne each year.”

The range of robots to be released will include an entry level floor only model (B100), two floor wall and waterline models (D200) one with an app (D300) and a professional model for pool builders with floor, wall and waterline plus an app (P600). All models will have ultra-fine 4D filters consisting of elastic 3D microfibre loops.

Lincoln Pool Equipment was established in Victoria in 1974 and has been owned by Lindsay Hartshorne since 2002. During that time it has grown substantially and now has branches in Queensland, NSW and Victoria. It is recognised as a leading distributor of OEM equipment and has one of the largest ranges of spare parts available in Australia.

BWT’s tag line of “For You and Planet Blue” expresses its mission to take ecological, economic and social responsibility, to provide to its partners the best products, systems, technologies and services in all areas of water treatment and pool equipment, while simultaneously contributing valuably to preserve global resources.

Legal

Fluidra and Pool Controls settle over mineral patent Pool Controls’ XLS Minerals have been withdrawn from sale in the Australian market after a settlement was reached between Pool Controls and Fluidra Australia.

Fluidra is the registered owner of the MagnaPool Minerals brand and various patents relating to this product, following the merger with Zodiac. Zodiac Group Australia had procured the MagnaPool brand from Poolrite in 2013 as the foundering company’s assets were divested.

Fluidra said in a statement that after discovering Pool Controls was selling a product (under the brand “XLS minerals”) which infringed a MagnaPool patent, they wrote to them requiring them to stop.

In response, Pool Controls agreed to cease manufacturing its XLS minerals product and they also agreed not to sell any existing stock after 20 August 2020.

Pool Controls confirmed that it reached a mutual settlement with Fluidra; and added that it had made a counter claim

relating to the validity of the patent. Both parties dropped their respective claims, and Pool Controls agreed to cease production and sale of the XLS mineral blend.

Pool Controls confirmed they have ceased manufacturing the current mineral salt blend known as XLS Minerals and that it is no longer available, while pointing out that the terms of the settlement do not extend to independent customers who have remnant stock, nor to other Pool Controls products.

August/September 2020 SPLASH! 19

news

Export

Branson trials Australian disinfection technology AIS Water has grown as an international exporter and supplier of water disinfection systems for swimming pools, now including sales to 55 countries worldwide.

The latest coup is in the British Virgin Islands, bringing added kudos as AIS systems are being trialled on Sir Richard Branson’s private “Virgin” island, with an AIS chlorinator on his own pool.

AIS recently won the Queensland SPASA Award for Marketing (see page 52 for the Queensland Awards), for their Enhancing Life marketing campaign.

The campaign has been highly successful in raising brand awareness and demand for AIS Water’s services and products, realising 30 per cent growth over the previous 12 months.

It was this campaign that caught the attention of

international entrepreneur Branson and led to a pilot program of AIS Water’s technology on Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands.

“Our Enhancing Life campaign focuses on saving and enhancing life through greater access to water,” Gosse says. “The campaign promotes a deeper understanding of our planet’s most precious resource (water) and the vital role it plays in sustaining and enriching life.

“The campaign also reflects our belief that water should be treated in the same way humans should be treated – with respect, love and gratitude. This was a fundamental point of difference in our campaign as opposed to standard pool marketing which often sees water treated simply as a commodity.”

Sir Richard Branson with Elena Gosse Gosse says the imagery and quality of marketing material for the Enhancing Life campaign was “intended to challenge the status quo” and the way water and disinfection technology impacts our everyday lives and environment.

To achieve this, AIS Water

incorporated Augmented Reality (AR) technology in the campaign which encourages interactivity through the AIS Water AR App, available on Google Play or Apple, and which unlocks live images and videos.

The links on the app take viewers to a series of interviews with industry professionals from architects to pool managers and researchers, where AIS Water’s award-winning chlorinators and topical issues in the sector are discussed.

Gosse says the Enhancing Life campaign also doubles as an educational tool providing easy-to-understand information to commercial and residential consumers on comparing conventional (gaseous, liquid and granular) chlorine dosing versus inline water chlorination.

Retail

Poolwerx Franchise Awards

Poolwerx has recognised its top performing franchise partners at its annual convention. And the winners are: • Retail Store of the Year Tanya and Richard Beattie, Poolwerx Toowoomba, Qld • New Retail Store of the Year - Cameron Williams, Poolwerx Rosebud, Vic • Retail Salesperson of the Year - Jack Culhane, Poolwerx Albury-Wodonga, Vic • New Retail Salesperson of the Year - Jarrod Hilderbrand, Poolwerx Rosebud, Vic • Pool and Spa Technician of the Year - David Wright, Poolwerx Brisbane City, Qld • New Pool and Spa Technician of the Year - Mark Bennett, Poolwerx Christchurch, NZ • Brand Excellence - Prue and Malcolm Price, Poolwerx Upper North Shore, NSW • Technical Excellence - Prue and David Kimber, Poolwerx Hamilton, NZ • Innovation and Entrepreneurial Excellence - Evelyn and Peter Vogel, Poolwerx Indooroopilly, Qld 20 SPLASH! August/September 2020

• Rising Star - Kelly and Brendon Woodhouse, Poolwerx Bay of Plenty, NZ • Most Improved - Cathy and Manuel Karkafiris, Poolwerx Tea Tree Gully, SA • Business 2 Business Excellence - Steve Burns and Brett Jorgensen, Poolwerx Applecross, WA • Employer of the Year Heather and Peter Clarke, Poolwerx West Lakes, SA • Top National Sales - Prue and Malcolm Price, Poolwerx Upper North Shore, NSW • Top National Mobile Sales (Single Territory) Shann and Ged O’Sullivan, Poolwerx Coffs Harbour, NSW • Top Cross Counter Retail Sales - Rosie and Craig Henry, Poolwerx Shepparton, Vic • Top National Business 2 Business Sales - Caroline and Paul Attard, Poolwerx Mount Gravatt - Qld • Woman of the Year - Robyn Walsh, Poolwerx Bunbury, WA

• Business Development Manager of the Year - Phil Colburn, Business Development Manager Brisbane South, NQ and NZ • Partner in Profit Representative of the Year - Craig Atkins, Hayward • State Based Partner in Profit of the Year - Daisy Poolcovers and Rollers • National Partner in Profit of the Year - Maytronics • Brisbane South, Far North Queensland and Northern New South Wales Franchise Partner of the Year - Michaella and Jeff Duncker, Poolwerx Jimboomba, Qld • Brisbane North and Central Queensland Franchise Partner of the Year - Evelyn and Peter Vogel, Poolwerx Indooroopilly, Qld • New South Wales Franchise Partner of the Year - Prue and Malcolm Price, Poolwerx Upper North Shore - NSW

Poolwerx Upper North Shore owners Prue and Malcolm Price won Franchise Partner of the Year

• Victoria Franchise Partner of the Year - Cameron Williams, Poolwerx Mornington Peninsula, Vic • Western Australia Franchise Partner of the Year - Steve Burn and Brett Jorgensen, Poolwerx Applecross, WA • ACT, TAS, SA, NT and NZ Franchise Partner of the Year - Prue and David Kimber, Poolwerx Hamilton, NZ • Franchise Partner of the Year - Prue and Malcolm Price, Poolwerx Upper North Shore, NSW

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Swimming

Lucky 35 for Chloe

Australian record-breaking ultra-marathon swimmer, Choe McCardel

Ultra-marathon swimmer Chloë McCardel has broken the men’s world record for the greatest number of English Channel crossings completing her 35th crossing.

In a coincidence of the 35s, the Sydney northern beaches resident McCardel, 35, took 10 hours and 40 minutes to complete the 35 kilometre swim between Dover and northern France.

McCardel is well known to the Australasian swimming pool and spa industry, thanks to her sponsors Lo-Chlor Chemicals and The Pool Enclosure Company.

To complete the record she made four channel crossings in 16 days.

Manufacturing

Kruber swims from spas to pools Former CEO of Spa Industries Global Rob Kruber has switched industry segments and bought fibreglass pool manufacturer and sales network Summertime Pools.

The business’s official name is now Pool Builders Australia trading as Summertime Pools.

Kruber says that he is at an age when he wants to apply himself to something new, while at the same time building a business that his family can be a part of in the future.

“My kids are still young – 11 and 13 – but growing up I was in my father’s business as an electrician, and I started getting experience there from as young as 12. So I think it’s good for them to grow up and understand the operations of the business.”

Administration manager Danielle Kellar has come across with him. “Danielle came with me as admin manager and she has great experience – nearly 12 years’ experience in the industry and she understands all the processes for what makes a good marketing and sales company.”

Summertime Pools was started by John Falk more than 20 years ago, when he saw an opening and pivoted his fibreglass water tank business towards manufacturing swimming pool shells.

The business now manufactures fibreglass swimming pool shells and also install some shells for end-users; and supplies the shells through a network of 16 agents throughout southern New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia.

Already Kruber has signed four new agents, but his initial focus is going to be on improving sales through current agents.

“We’ve had discussions with our existing agents so we can assist them to improve 22 SPLASH! August/September 2020

their business and refine their objectives,” he says.

“The first thing is to improve our sales and get the brand a bit more prominent.

We’re doing a rebrand in the next couple of months – just refreshing it a bit. We also want to improve our marketing presence – we’ve changed our advertising to look more at the benefits rather than the features of the pools. This is aimed at the consumer, to help promote our sales and agents.

He isn’t attempting to compete directly with the big fibreglass manufacturers.

“They’re goliaths. Instead we’ll grow the market through new business and build good quality and services that were all proud of.”

The manufacturing base is in Swan Hill Victoria, located between Bendigo and Mildura, which is an ideal location not only for regional areas but also to transport into Adelaide, Sydney and Melbourne as it is pretty much equidistant from them.

They also have a sales office in Sunbury and are setting up a sales office in Carrum Downs.

Kruber says they’ve been fortunate given the covid lockdown in Melbourne and some other parts of Victoria, as their regional installs have been unaffected and the outbreak hasn’t affected their ability to manufacture or supply.

“So we’ve been very lucky considering everything that everyone else is going through.”

Leaving the spa segment Rob Kruber is now the proud owner of Summertime Pools

We played with the sales part of it and we’ve improved that a fair bit, and we know the opportunities are out there.”

The other aspect of the business he is looking at improving is the manufacturing process, given his experience with redesigning the production facility at Spa Industries.

“We’re trying to introduce best practice to improve our quality, and are starting to work on a whole new range of moulds, which we’ll be releasing over the next two years,” he says.

Kruber says he wouldn’t have left Spa Industries if he didn’t think it was doing extremely well.

“When I left, it was in the best position it had probably ever been in, with great new products, very lean and slick manufacturing process, and the best book of orders through winter they’d probably ever seen,” he says.

“If it had been anything else I wouldn’t have felt comfortable leaving, but it was a good time to leave as Spa Industries is in such a good position. Now I guess they’re dealing with their covid issues and will probably reset themselves when they get some time to assess.

Contact: www.summertimepools.com.au

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feature

The right filter for a VS pump

By Cal Stanley

T

he editor has asked me for some more articles for SPLASH! I would have thought he and most of you would be sick of me by now. It is also getting harder to select a new topic. So, for this one I am poaching a little, from an article in the US magazine Aqua. I have to do this because I cannot on my own be an expert on everything.

This, of course, tells me that none of us should shun information and advice from others. We should always analyse it and assess its merit and benefit to our lives and our businesses.

Most pool builders provide their customers or recommend their favourite brand and type of filter. This article may or may not change the type of filter you sell to your customers, but it shouldn’t require a switch of supplier, so your suppliers need not worry.

A variable speed pump should run every day for twice as long a fixed speed pump but generally at only half speed. Half speed means half of the flow and at only 1/4 of the pressure.

Sand and other media filters are easy to maintain as cleaning can involve as little as the turning of a valve

“Because they don’t require backwashing, cartridge filters are often favoured by those seeking the most-efficient filter.”

for a few minutes, then back again. The sand or media also lasts a long time before needing replacement. But cleaning it uses a considerable amount of water and it doesn’t filter as fine as other filters.

I notice that diatomaceous earth (DE) filters are still available so some of you must still prefer them though I can’t imagine why. I last installed one about 35 years ago.

Another point of comparison between filter types is the amount of resistance each adds to the system. This

is particularly relevant for those interested in creating the most hydraulically efficient system.

Sand and media filters add the most resistance to a pool plumbing system, because moving water through the media bed requires high pressure. DE filters are next on the resistance comparison line, and cartridge filters add the least. Also, sand and DE filters typically require backwash valves, which add further resistance, as flow through them is inefficient. Because they don’t require backwashing, cartridge filters are often favoured by those seeking the most efficient filter.

Cartridge filters

So, which type of filter will perform the best using a slow flow rate on a VS pump? The answer is cartridge filters because: • They use less water in cleaning; • They normally have a longer filter cycle, particularly the larger ones **; • They filter more easily, with a slower flow, less pressure and finer than sand filters; and • Who uses DE filters on a domestic pool anyway? ** I have a 600 square foot cartridge filter on my pool. With a VS pump I can go up to five years without cleaning it. Every bit of dirt trapped by it helps to trap the next bit, and, after those five years I simply toss them out and get new ones! I am rather lazy, as were many of my customers, but it makes life easy and my pool water stays very clean. If you got this far, thank you.

If you want to argue about this article, suggest a new topic, ask a question or tell me where to go, simply email me at the address below. n For these columns, Cal Stanley draws on his experience and success in pool construction, having run awardwinning Neptune Pools in Western Australia for three decades, as well as sitting on many standards committees and industry boards, and working as a pool consultant, trainer and delivering hydraulics courses for the swimming pool industry. If you have a question regarding his columns, email him at cal@westnet.com.au.

August/September 2020 SPLASH! 25

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Why We Swim

F

rom San Francisco Bay to the South China Sea by way of the Serpentine, swimmer and writer Bonnie Tsui dives into the deep to discover what it is about water that seduces us. We swim for survival, to connect, to disconnect and to compete. In it we find inspiration and strength of both mind and body. We swim in freezing Arctic waters, wide channels, and piranha-infested rivers just because they are there.

Swimming is an introspective (and silent) sport in a chaotic age. It is therapeutic for those who are injured and it is one route to that elusive, ecstatic state of Flow.

Propelled by stories of polar swim champions, a Baghdad swim club in the middle of a warzone, Olympian athletes, modern-day samurai swimmers and even an Icelandic fisherman who improbably survived a six-hour swim in the wintry Atlantic, Why We Swim takes us around the globe in a remarkable, allencompassing account of the world of swimming.

Five swimming themes

In searching for the answer to its title question, Why We Swim uncovers five themes.

Survival. We learn that the first known record of swimming was found in the middle of the Sahara Desert, and Tsui travels to Iceland to meet a legendary fisherman who improbably survived a six-hour swim in the wintry Atlantic Ocean.

Well-being. We meet Kim Chambers, the sixth person to swim the Ocean’s Seven, (which includes swimming the English Channel and the North Channel) and who is now a multiple world record holder. She only began swimming as rehab for a serious leg injury. Tsui swims with her to Alcatraz. She also explores the benefits, both physical and mental, of the deep breathing needed for swimming.

Community. Tsui traces the beginning of swimming clubs and associations in England and the social history of swimming which includes segregating people by

“An exploration into the human relationship to swimming and our innate connection to water.”

Critical appraisal “Magnificent. Only a truly great story can hold my attention and Why We Swim had me nailed to the chair... I love this book.”

Christopher McDougall, bestselling author of Born to Run “A beautifully written love letter to water and a fascinating story. I was enchanted.”

Rebecca Skloot, bestselling author of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks “The only thing better than reading Bonnie Tsui’s writing about swimming is swimming itself—and both are sublime.”

Susan Casey, New York Times bestselling author of The Wave and Voices in the Ocean

gender and race. She also tells the story of a swim club in the middle of a warzone in Baghdad.

Competition. Japanese Samurai swimming’s philosophy of Nihon Eiho, a spiritual path where the goal is to become better, but being healthier, faster, more beautiful at your stroke are all equally important goals.

Speed isn’t everything, it is about patience and slowness.

Flow. Proximity to water or even just looking at water scenes in pictures can be calming. And the distance from the world we can achieve, the quiet in the water, the one place we can’t be reached by notifications, texts or calls, is hugely mindful.

About the author

Bonnie Tsui lives, swims, and surfs in the Bay Area of San Francisco. A longtime contributor to The New York Times and California Sunday Magazine, she has been the recipient of the Jane Rainie Opel Young Alumna Award from Harvard University, the Lowell Thomas Gold Award, and a National Press Foundation Fellowship.

Why We Swim was published by Rider in August 2020 and is available from www.booktopia.com.au amongst other booksellers. n August/September 2020 SPLASH! 27

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area. It’s an area that Waterco itself has not been strong in, but of recent times we’ve been investing a lot in that area, and right now we’re exploring all those possibilities, and I think that’s the most exciting part how we make pool ownership easier.

Highlights

My proudest achievement was our partnership with UTS in creating a cloud software, which was completely outside anything we’ve ever done before.

We’re known for equipment, pumps and filters.

As mentioned before, technology’s not a strongpoint for us. So to form that partnership and create something that now exists and is being used – which is our pool cloud platform - and also that collaboration that has now helped us create wifi modules and, in the future, apps, has been my proudest moment.

The future

Next in the series of Industry Shapshots is Waterco marketing director Bryan Goh

Industry Snapshot:

Bryan Goh M The beginning

y father originally started Waterco in 1981, selling PVC pipes and fittings, and then importing pool products. And from there, though various acquisitions, we were involved in the manufacture of products.

I started in 1998 and my first role was to explore markets outside the pool industry, and one of the areas was water purification. So my first role was taking a water purifier and trying to see who we could sell it to.

The timing was good, it was during the 1998 Sydney water crisis – so my job was made very easy for me.

My first entry into the pool business was being a branch manager for New South Wales. That gave me the opportunity to participate on the SPASA board, which gave me access to a lot of the people who I now know well and have formed great relationships with.

The industry

We’re in the leisure industry, I think most of the guys we deal with are fantastic. This is an industry with a great potential. As you know, pool ownership in Australia is one of the highest per capita in the world.

It’s part of our lifestyle. To be part of an industry that’s formed such an integral part of family life in the backyard is great.

What excites me now is the rapid change that our industry’s going through – especially in the technology 28 SPLASH! August/September 2020

I think what’s coming to light is that pool owners are more environmentally conscious, and I think we need to cater for that. So a few of the things that we are doing – in any product we’re manufacturing – is to see what can we do to make our product more energy efficient, more water efficient, because that’s what customers are looking for. And that also provides us with that differentiation, that point of difference, that helps our customers to sell our equipment or to sell their pools.

In the future I still think the trend for energy- and water-efficient equipment will continue. Energy efficient pumps will evolve to become more energy efficient, which is one of the key energy-saving areas for pools. We’re seeing the evolution of heat pumps with inverter technology, so the cost of heating a pool will become cheaper and cheaper, and I think there’s a

“To be part of an industry that’s formed such an integral part of family life in the backyard is great.”

lot of remote management, floating devices, IOT, that’s coming into pools, that will enable pool owners to manage their pools much more effectively and easier I think our industry has weathered the storms – financial storms, pandemic storms – very well. We’re deeply connected to weather. So as long as the weather is conducive to our industry, as long as we have warm summers, I think we will continue to thrive.

Especially during current conditions we’re facing, we were bracing for a downturn, but we see that more and more pool owners are investing in their pools, and seeing what they can do to upgrade their equipment, particularly pool heating, and we’re also seeing from the conversations we’ve had with builders there’s definitely an increased interest in pool ownership, which has resulted in increased enquiries for pools. n More: Videos of these and other interviews are available on SPLASHTV at splashmagazine.com.au/videos.

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Pool owners are looking for ways to entertain the family at home during the covid crisis, and a heated swimming pool perfectly fits the bill

Heating for the shoulder season

W

ith spring in the air, SPLASH! asked Tim Martin, general manager of leading Australian heat pump manufacturer EvoHeat, about heating swimming pools in the shoulder season - when it’s not so cold swimming seems daunting, but not so warm you could safely splash into an unheated pool.

EvoHeat have been receiving a dramatic increase in pool heating enquiries, a fact Martin puts down to pool owners looking for ways to entertain the family and make better use of their facilities while they’re confined to their homes.

And on top of that, he believes spring is the ideal time for pool owners to maximise their pool investment with pool heating.

“During September, the average pool temperature in the southern states is around 14 to 15 degrees, which is far too cold to swim”, Martin says. “The ideal temperature to swim safely and comfortably is around 27 to 30 degrees.”

Inverter control

He says inverter heat pumps let pool owners maximise their pool with a reliable and energy efficient solution that offers total control over their pool temperature.

“An inverter heat pump offers an efficient way to heat a pool, particularly during the shoulder months when the days start warming up but the pool water still has a chill to it. The warmer ambient air temperatures offer increased efficiency for heat pumps.”

Inverter technology continually optimises the way the heat pump operates to ensure that the least amount of energy is required to maintain the desired temperature.

Martin says this allows for the pool temperature to be 30 SPLASH! August/September 2020

maintained at the perfect temperature while using the least amount of energy, producing incredible efficiency and lower electricity bills.

He says their inverter heat pumps can operate day and night in all Australian climates and weather conditions, even down as low as -7°C, making them a reliable and dependable way to extend a swim season or offer yearround heating. Their sub-zero laboratory enables them to subject all their units to extreme climate testing at the

“During September, the average pool temperature in the southern states is around 14 to 15 degrees, which is far too cold to swim.”

factory through each operating phase prior to packaging, to ensure they work efficiently in all climates.

He also says their reverse cycle option offers something unique – the ability to cool a pool in the hot summer months, especially in Australia’s warmer tropical regions.

“Later in the year, tropical climates will see pool water temperatures reach up to 35 degrees, making them hot and uncomfortable. Our heat pumps offer three modes of operation; heating, cooling, and automatic mode, so you can be sure your pool is always at the desired temperature.” n Contact: 1300 859 933; www.evoheat.com.au

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Secondary disinfection making pool and spa water even better

By Veda Dante

32 SPLASH! August/September 2020

feature

W

e all know disinfection is critical to prevent the survival and growth of microorganisms in swimming pool water, and for the vast majority of swimming pools that occurs thanks to chlorine – most often generated through electrolysis via a chlorinator.

However, there are other forms of disinfection that can help reduce the load for the chlorine and make the water even cleaner and safer.

The efficacy of a sanitiser is gauged by its ability to reduce the contamination level within a specified amount of time, not necessarily eliminate it entirely.

Disinfection, on the other hand, must destroy or irreversibly inactivate all specified organisms within a certain time, typically around 10 minutes.

While chlorine is the most widely used method to eliminate viruses, bacteria and algae, a new wave of technology is providing manufacturers with different ways to disinfect water.

Secondary sanitisation systems treat water to supplement a primary sanitiser (usually chlorine).

These systems offer added sanitising power or oxidation strength and are generally point-of-contact systems (with some exceptions) that treat water as it passes by.

Some of the more common types of secondary systems for swimming pools include: • Ultraviolet (UV) • Ozone (O3) • Advanced Oxidation Process (AOP) • Hyper-Dissolved Oxygen (HDO) • Ionisation In the following article, we look at the products gaining consumer momentum and market share and talk to a few industry experts about how these systems work, what end-users can hope to gain from them, and what we can expect to see on the horizon.

Swimming in “tap” water

While most products rely on chlorine as the main sanitiser and add a secondary sanitiser to try to reduce the chlorine demand, Naked Pools’ system actually works in the reverse manner.

“Our model is different to most because our secondary sanitiser is actually chlorine while the primary sanitiser includes natural minerals such as copper (algaecide) and silver (bactericide),” says Naked Pools director Darren Milne.

“Copper is a natural algaecide and 10 times more effective than chlorine,” says Milne. “And the residual of copper in the pool works as a constant sanitiser even when the system isn’t running.”

He says this means the customer is swimming in water comparable to water from a household tap.

“And with copper/silver not affected by UV or heat, we are able to reduce chemical requirements by over 70 per cent – and that’s compared with other systems using secondary sanitisers. It also means up to 50 per cent more savings based on chemical and power reduction.”

Milne says Naked Pools’ water is less corrosive without chlorine while salt requirements in the pool are 80 per cent lower than salt/mineral based systems.

“TDS levels at 800ppm are classified as ‘freshwater’ which is healthier for swimmers but also better for the pool equipment and surrounds,” he says. “Not to

“The technology has been embraced by the commercial sector for many years, not just swimming pools but across many applications outside of the industry.” mention you can re-use the water on your garden or in holding tanks. There is also no need for showering or washing bathers after swimming, further helping to reduce water and chemical consumption, making it better for the environment.”

Chemical free?

Milne says he would like to correct a misconception about secondary disinfection.

“The term ‘chemical free’ isn’t always as it seems,” he says.

“Some companies do claim with the addition of secondary disinfection such as ozone that the client is swimming ‘chemical-free’, which just isn’t true. They still rely on ‘holding’ chlorine in the pool – meaning all the associated chemicals are still required,” he says.

He also wants to answer some critics of ionisation.

“Another misconception is that ionisation in pools isn’t effective,” he says.

“This is true if used by itself, but when combined with oxidisation, as the Naked System is, it is perfectly suited to domestic swimming pools as per the approval from the APVMA.” With one in three Australians now suffering some form of asthma or skin condition, Milne believes the consumer demand for freshwater pools – and the health benefits they bring – will continue to grow.

“It has taken 30 years from changing from liquid chlorine to salt chlorination systems and now it’s time to adopt these new methods of creating better, fresher, safer pool water for swimmers,” he says.

“Even though the Naked System is just combining two very age-old methods of sanitising water, the difference is in the technology and how well we control it.”

LEFT: Secondary disinfection can be the little buddy that helps make life easier for the primary form of disinfection, but in some instances, it does the bulk of the work ABOVE: In the Naked Pools model the secondary sanitiser is chlorine while the primary sanitiser includes copper (algaecide) and silver (bactericide)

August/September 2020 SPLASH! 33

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The shorter kill time

Jonathan Bristow, Fluidra’s senior manager for watercare, agrees that healthier pools are here to stay.

“In the short/mid-term, mineral pools will start to become the norm over saltwater pools and gradually users will trend towards a more ‘natural’ based pool with minimal chemical use as that technology becomes more researched and commercialised,” he says.

“While most users will just think secondary sanitisers are a money grab and are of no real value – the facts don’t lie. They make the water safer – often more quickly with the use of less chemicals – and help keep it more stable.”

As there is less strain on the residual sanitiser, some secondary sanitisers have a shorter “kill time” when compared to chlorine, which often requires a longer exposure time to pathogens before killing them.

“This means the residual sanitiser is ‘freer’ to kill off any remaining issues,” Bristow says.

“With the coronavirus pandemic heightening consumer awareness around health and safety, Bristow believes the trend is part of a bigger picture.

“People are increasingly looking at ways to reduce their reliance on chlorine or other sanitisers that have harmful by-products,” he says.

Fluidra offers a number of systems, including the AstralPool UV Sanitiser which uses UVC light to destroy pathogens and bacteria.

“UVC has been used for decades and works well with any residual sanitiser,” he says. “We also have our Nature 2 mineral purifier that incorporates silver and copper, both of which have powerful anti-bacterial and algaecidal effects helping keep chlorine levels to an absolute minimum.”

Concerned about copper stains? Bristow says there’s no need to be.

“Nature 2, which is the only non-electrical quick install mineral purifier on the market – is guaranteed to never stain due to controlled release technology that prevents copper ever reaching the level where it becomes an issue.”

Reducing chorine by-products

Brauer Industries business development manager David Brauer says that pathogens such as cryptosporidium 34 SPLASH! August/September 2020

ABOVE-LEFT: The AOP system harnessing the energy of both UV-C and ozone ABOVE-RIGHT: Fluidra’s Nature2 mineral purifier also incorporates silver and copper, both of which have powerful antibacterial and algaecidal benefits helping keep chlorine levels to an absolute minimum ABOVE: The AstralPool UV Sanitiser which uses UVC light to destroy pathogens and bacteria

Jonathan Bristow says the coronavirus pandemic is heightening consumer awareness around health and safety, and this is accelerating the trend for secondary disinfection

and giardia develop a resistance to chlorine over time.

“This is a major concern in the present climate,” he says.

“Installing secondary sanitation is an effective way to remove these parasites as well as chlorine by-products called chloramines that are the direct cause of skin, eye and lung irritations. Pool owners invest in secondary sanitation for ease of health department compliance and to improve customer satisfaction and, in the cases of commercial and public pools, staff retention.”

Brauer says secondary sanitation is designed to destroy water pathogens such as bacteria, protozoa and viruses, by either: • Damaging the DNA structure of the pathogen’s cell by means of UVC rays, resulting in an inactive, denatured cell that simply passes through our body’s system if digested; or • Oxidising (completely obliterating) the cell structure, such as the process of ozone or AOP systems, where ozone molecules or hydroxyl free radicals (OH) grab onto any foreign matter in the water and rip them apart, molecularly.

“The added benefit of secondary sanitation is in minimising the nasty chlorine by-products produced when the chlorine sanitiser reacts with the waste products released by swimmers,” he says.

“All of this effective work takes place in the pipework of the plant room leaving the primary sanitiser (chlorine) to roam free and available for extended periods of time to more effectively do its thing: sanitise.”

Brauer Industries’ main two secondary sanitation systems include UV, their flagship advanced oxidation process (AOP) via UV and Brauer O3 patented technology.

“This combines the benefits of both UV and O3 in a specific way, producing a product that is the most

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powerful oxidiser known to the pool industry: hydroxyl free radicals,” he says.

“It is effectively a secondary sanitation system on steroids.”

Brauer’s secondary sanitation products have the added benefit of not only producing what Brauer calls “the most effective oxidiser known in water chemistry” but are also highly effective at removing odours, clarifying the water, and destroying the gaseous form of chlorine by-products (trichloramines).

“Scientific research studies show a direct relationship with exposure with these particular by-products with both respiratory and neurological health issues,” he says.

“Our patented, Australian made AOP systems are both costeffective to purchase and require very little maintenance. Our unique AOP combination systems can achieve dramatic sanitation results whilst only using approximately half of the energy consumption of a generic UV system.

“Although our AOP systems are highly effective at performing the heavy sanitation workload, a residual disinfectant such as chlorine is still required.”

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Creating a friendlier environment for sensitive swimmers

With more companies including secondary sanitation in their product offerings, Maytronics Australia corporate branch manager Brett Gaunt says ozone continues to deliver on many fronts.

“The growing appeal of secondary systems stems from consumers looking for a safe, healthy holistic option that offers a superior outcome over and above stand-alone primary sanitation solutions, from water clarity to facilitating a friendly environment to sensitive swimmers with asthma, skin ailments and hyper-sensitivity to chlorine” he says.

“The technology has been embraced by the commercial sector for many years, not just swimming pools but across many applications outside of the industry.”

He says the Maytronics Ozone Swim system offers two configurations in various sizes and outputs, including a standalone Ozone Swim O3 powered by corona discharge (CD) and a combination corona discharge plus Mineral Chlorinator Ozone Swim Fusion.

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“People are increasingly looking at ways to reduce their reliance on chlorine or other sanitisers that have harmful by-products.”

“The magic lies in our patented corona discharge cell,” he says. “The system effectively destroys on contact organic protein material, which is food for bacteria. This drastically reduces the demand on the primary residual disinfectant, resulting in a very stable pool.

“Ozone Swim is also most effective at destroying viruses and removing chloramines,” says Gaunt.

“It’s superior to a standalone chlorine in eliminating contaminants like human fluids, cosmetics and, in general, organics of all kinds. Our systems virtually eliminate shocking for chloramine reduction. Ozone Swim offers significantly more oxidation than free available chlorine (FAC) alone whilst providing microflocculation to aid filtration and improve water clarity.”

While some may view ozone as inferior or less effective than a standalone primary sanitation system, Gaunt says this couldn’t be further from the truth.

“The messaging around the benefits of ozone have been poorly conveyed in the past and some of the

36 SPLASH! August/September 2020

previous systems in the market, mostly UV Ozone, were probably not up to the task,” he says.

He says that the NSW Department of Health lists ozone with chlorine as a satisfactory disinfectant.

Gaunt says ozone is most effective at killing E. coli, giardia, Staphylococcus aureus and Cryptosporidium parvum (Crypto).

“At optimum levels, chlorine alone can be effective in oxidising these pathogens, except for the chlorineresistant Crypto, but that’s the beauty of having a one box solution like Ozone Swim. It does some heavy lifting here, which allows the primary system to do its job as a residual disinfectant.

“The Ozone Swim Corona discharge cell is a patented module that delivers consistent quantities of dissolved ozone gas to the pool system, killing up to 99 per cent of these pathogens on contact.”

Reducing harmful by-products

While Waterco group marketing manager Bryan Goh believes chlorine will always have a role in pool sanitisation, it’s the combination of chlorine and ammonia – chloramines – that consumers have on their radar.

Chloramines like dichloramine and trichloramine are known to irritate skin, eyes and the respiratory tract and can also corrode metal objects such as handrails.

“Chlorine is one of the most effective sanitisers because it’s cheap to buy and easy to use,” he says.

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ABOVE: Tony Arbidans says most pool owners are unaware of secondary sanitisation as a viable option – and it takes time and effort to educate them TOP-LEFT: Waterco’s Hydroxzone ozone generator LEFT: Brauer Industries’ advanced oxidation process (AOP) via UV

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Unobtrusive Supreme solar heating keeping the pool warm

“We feel a sense of responsibility to maximise the customer experience and minimise the overall operating expenses.”

SPLASH!Oct/Nov June/July 3638SPLASH! 20192020 38 SPLASH! August/September 2020

Sizing for the right experience

Mauger says solar is effective in delivering a heated and comfortable swimming experience for users.

“This outcome can be achieved with zero running costs meeting both the emotional and financial needs of pool owners,” he says. “For optimum performance, it is important that the system is sized correctly, whether that be a traditional strip system or a rigid panel system.”

He says that in the southern states of Australia, a correctly sized system should be equal to or greater than 100 per cent coverage of the pool surface area.

“In northern states, 80 per cent or greater coverage is recommended,” he says.

“The orientation of the solar system can be on north, west, east or flat roof.

The use Chemigem of a southern roof is LEFT: Pool Controls’ possible given the right design parameters. A pool cover is MIDDLE: Pool Controls’ Ozone XLM always recommended for water conservation and to retain Commercial poolsystem, ownersparticularly invest the heatABOVE: generated from the solar secondary sanitation for ease of health on cold in nights.

If a pool cover is not an option for the department compliance, to improve customer customer, then increasing sizewith of the solar system can satisfaction and tothe help staff retention offset any loss associated with not having a cover.”

Mauger says the use of heat pumps has grown in popularity, especially with the introduction of inverter technology as it reduces overall running costs.

“A correctly sized heat pump can provide a consistent year-round heating solution for pool owners who want to use the pool on a frequent basis,” he says.

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“However, more pool owners are looking at ways to reduce the chemical demand of their pool and the byproducts associated with it.”

Goh says that secondary sanitisation systems are gaining momentum for this very reason.

“Swimming pools need an active residual and a secondary system that picks up where the residual stops,” he says. “By combining proven and tested technologies, it is possible to have a pool that is clean, safe and clear.”

For example, ozone systems are popular secondary sanitisers because of their ability to reduce the amount of chlorine usage to maintain a free available chlorine residual, which effectively destroys the chloramines that cause red eyes, dry skin and respiratory irritations.

“Waterco’s Hydroxzone Ozonator, which produces hydroxyl radicals, one of the most powerful oxidisers found in nature, also eliminates the need for shocking pool water by providing more oxidation than free available chlorine – all while simultaneously improving water clarity,” he says.

Waterco’s Hydroxzone Ozonator uses hybrid patented technology to produce both ozone and hydroxyl radicals. This combination adds another level of effectiveness in terms of oxidation and sanitisation.

“The Hydroxzone system uses a modified VUV (high intensity ultraviolet light) ozone tube as a corona electrode to simulate nature (hybrid ozone acts like the

“My message to people who are looking to build a pool or have recently signed a contract is ask your pool builder about secondary disinfection.”

sun),” he says. “The result is an ozone generator that produces ozone using corona discharge technology and high energy light in one powerful system.”

An ozone family

Australian manufacturer Pool Controls has developed a new “ozone family” of products, combining a powerful corona discharge ozone generator with their two flagship products – the Chemigem D10 chemical dosing unit and also the XLM chlorinator that operates at extra low concentrations of salt.

Both products integrate pH control into the one box.

CEO Liz Hollingdale says the great advantage of ozone is that it allows pool owners to significantly reduce chemical usage – although a safe sanitiser residual is always required.

“Pool Controls has developed some of the first fullyintegrated systems that leverage the power of ozone while providing sanitiser residual and pH control,” she says.

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Maytronics corporate branch manager Brett Gaunt says the appeal of secondary systems stems from consumers looking for a safe, healthy, holistic option

“The XLM chlorinator is able to provide this residual, utilising a very low concentration of salt – which is protective of the pool and the environment. Alternatively, the Chemigem provides the residual by very precise doses of liquid chlorine – its probe ensuring that a minimal amount is used to achieve optimum sanitation.”

She says industry research indicates that ozone reduces chlorine demand by up to 80 per cent, making their hybrid system potentially the most efficient and effective water management system available.

Educating the consumer

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Retailer Tony Arbidans from Swimart Castle Hill, who is also head of the Swimart’s national advisory committee, says most pool owners are unaware of secondary sanitisation as a viable option.

“Families with children who are asthmatic or have sensitive skin tend to be the ones doing their research on new products and technologies,” he says.

“Across the board, most people rely on the advice they get from the pool shop. But the two biggest barriers pool shop owners often have is either a lack of training or a lack of time, which is why they tend to take the easiest path and recommend salt chlorinators, liquid chlorine feeders, etcetera.”

Arbidans attributes this to the seasonal nature of pool shops coupled with time-poor customers.

“You get to the end of April and everyone in the business is exhausted because, when compared to most other jobs in retail, you’re effectively cramming 12 hours’ worth of work into eight since the end of September,” he says.

“And during that period when you’re under the pump with a shop full of customers, you don’t have the thirty or forty minutes it takes to talk someone through a new system or piece of technology.

The irony is, during winter when you have the luxury of time to spend talking about a new product, investing in a new piece of pool equipment isn’t on their radar.”

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“Secondary sanitation is an effective way to remove parasites as well as chloramines that are the direct cause of skin, eye and lung irritations.”

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However, he says there is an opportunity for greater education around new technologies such as secondary disinfection, and it has come from an unlikely source: covid-19.

“New South Wales has recorded the largest number of new pool build contracts in the last three months than it has in ten years and that’s because people are staying at home more and realising that long haul travel might be off the cards for quite a while,” he says.

“Every pool builder who has walked into my shop is at capacity – many till January or February 2021.”

Arbidans says this provides a great opportunity for consumers to educate themselves about new products on the market that reduce reliance on chemicals.

“My message to people who are looking to build a pool or have recently signed a contract is ask your pool builder about secondary disinfection. There are now ways you can swim in a pool with less chlorine.” n Contacts: Brauer Industries: www.brauerindustries.com Fluidra: www.astralpool.com.au Naked Pools: www.naked-pools.com Pool Controls: poolcontrols.com.au Swimart: www.swimart.com.au Waterco: www.waterco.com

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Marketing Campaign Award: Narellan Pools Highly Commended: Clark Rubber Franchising; Daisy Pool Covers Sustainable Product Award: TPEC Australia Highly Commended: DAB; Naked Pools Best Pool Store: Clark Rubber Coffs Harbour Highly Commended: Davison Pool & Spa Service; Dural Pool Shop Best Mobile Service Business: Davison Pool & Spa Service Highly Commended: Jims Pool Care Shellharbour; Pristine Pool & Spa Service Best Pool & Spa Barrier Inspector: Robert Guthrie - Certified Pool

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Fibreglass Pool Builder of the Year: Horizon Pools

Victorian

SPASA Australia Awards of Excellence 2020 Pool of the Year: Laguna Pools & Spas Concrete Pool Builder of the Year: Laguna Pools & Spas Fibreglass Pool Builder of the Year: Horizon Pools Spa of the Year: Endless Pools & Spas Commercial Project of the Year: Horizon Pools Business of the Year: Endless Pools & Spas

Product of the Year: Maleco Pool & Spa Covers Highly Commended: Ascon Pool; Dontek Education & Training Excellence Award: Waterco Highly Commended: Clark Rubber Franchising; Hayward Pool Products Marketing Campaign Award: Daisy Pool Covers Highly Commended: Clark Rubber Franchising

Employee of the Year: Rachel Williams - Endless Pools & Spas

Sustainable Product Award: DAB Highly Commended: Maleco Pool & Spa Covers; Naked Pools

Supplier of the Year: Reece Irrigation & Pools Highly Commended: Focus Products; Narellan Pools Pty Ltd

Best Pool Store: The Poolstore Warehouse Highly Commended: Clark Rubber Bendigo

Best Spa Retailer: Endless Pools & Spas Best Mobile Service Business: Flowtec Leak Detection Services Highly Commended: Clark Rubber Dandenong; The Poolstore Warehouse In-Field Service Technician Award: Jarrod Hildebrand - Poolwerx Mornington Highly Commended: Daniel Flett - Clark Rubber Bendigo Pool Sales Representative Award: Rachel Williams - Endless Pools & Spas Spa Sales Representative Award: Rachel Williams - Endless Pools & Spas Portable Spa: Endless Pools & Spas Swim Spa: Endless Pools & Spas August/September 2020 SPLASH! 47

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Concrete Pool up to $50,000: Horizon Pools Highly Commended: Horizon Pools; Horizon Pools

Pool of the Year: Laguna Pools & Spas

Concrete Pool up to $100,000: Horizon Pools Highly Commended: Immerse Pools; Laguna Pools & Spas Concrete Pool over $100,000: Laguna Pools & Spas Highly Commended: Horizon Pools; Laguna Pools & Spas Fibreglass Pool up to $40,000: Narellan Pools Port Phillip Highly Commended: Coral Reef Pools Vic; Horizon Pools Fibreglass Pool up to $60,000: Horizon Pools Highly Commended: Coral Reef Pools Vic; Horizon Pools Fibreglass Pool over $60,000: Gordon Ave Pools & Spas

ALLCHLOR S3800

Reliable, Sexy, Classic

CONTACT ALLCH LOR

48 SPLASH! August/September 2020

07 3277 2554

sales@allchlor.com.au

allchlor.com.au

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Pool & Spa Combination – Concrete: Laguna Pools & Spas Highly Commended: Horizon Pools; Laguna Pools & Spas Pool & Spa Combination – Fibreglass: Gordon Ave Pools & Spas Highly Commended: Narellan Pools Port Phillip Courtyard/Plunge Pool: Laguna Pools & Spas

Highly Commended: Horizon Pools; Laguna Pools & Spas

Renovation over $25,000: Laguna Pools & Spas

Lap Pool – Concrete: Horizon Pools

Concrete Commercial Pool up to $250,000: Horizon Pools

Lap Pool – Fibreglass: Coral Reef Pools Vic

Innovative Project: Horizon Pools Highly Commended: Horizon Pools; Laguna Pools & Spas

In-ground Spa: Endless Pools & Spas

Concrete Pool Builder of the Year: Laguna Pools & Spas

Commercial Project of the Year: Horizon Pools

August/September 2020 SPLASH! 49

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South Australian

Concrete Pool Builder of the Year: Elite Pools & Landscapes

SPASA Australia Awards of Excellence 2020

Pool of the Year: Urban Oasis Concrete Pool Builder of the Year: Elite Pools & Landscapes Fibreglass Pool Builder of the Year: Outdoor Living Highly tt: Rainwise Clearview Commercial Project of the Year: State Wide Pool Services Australia Business of the Year: Elite Pools & Landscapes Employee of the Year: Maurice Zoia - Waterco Supplier of the Year: Focus Products Highly Commended: Reece Irrigation & Pools; Waterco Product of the Year: TPEC Australia Highly Commended: Ascon Pool; Hayward Pool Products 50 SPLASH! August/September 2020

Education & Training Excellence Award: Hayward Pool Products Highly Commended: Clark Rubber Franchising; Waterco Marketing Campaign Award: Clark Rubber Franchising Sustainable Product Award: Summerwave Heat Pumps Highly Commended: DAB; TPEC Australia Best Pool Store: Everclear Pool Solutions Highly Commended: Clark Rubber Enfield; Prospect Pool + Spa Best Spa Retailer: Just Spas Adelaide Best Mobile Service Business: Clark Rubber Enfield In-Field Service Technician Award: Todd Jones - Prospect Pool + Spa Highly Commended: Gina Zuccaro - Creative Pools & Landscaping

Supplier Salesperson Award: Maurice Zoia - Waterco Operational Excellence Award: Manfred Warmus - Waterco Vinyl Lined Modular Pool: Classic Pools Highly Commended: Classic Pools; Classic Pools Concrete Pool up to $50,000: Rainwise Clearview Highly Commended: Adelaide Classic Pools Concrete Pool up to $100,000: OMG Pools Highly Commended: Adelaide Classic Pools; Urban Oasis Concrete Pool over $100,000: Urban Oasis Highly Commended: Elite Pools & Landscapes; Mermaid Pool Constructions Fibreglass Pool up to $40,000: Riverscape Landscaping & Pools

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Highly Commended: Freedom Pools; Rainwise Clearview Fibreglass Pool up to $60,000: Riverscape Landscaping & Pools Highly Commended: Freedom Pools; Rainwise Clearview Fibreglass Pool over $60,000: Freedom Pools Freeform Pool up to $100,000: Australian Outdoor Living Pool & Spa Combination – Concrete: Mermaid Pool Constructions Highly Commended: Elite Pools & Landscapes; Urban Oasis Pool & Spa Combination – Fibreglass: Freedom Pools Highly Commended: Australian Outdoor Living; Everclear Pool Solutions Courtyard/Plunge Pool: Elite Pools & Landscapes Highly Commended: Riverscape Landscaping & Pools

Lap Pool – Concrete: Elite Pools & Landscapes Highly Commended: State Wide Pool Services Australia; Urban Oasis

Commercial Renovation: State Wide Pool Services Australia

Lap Pool – Fibreglass: Freedom Pools

Display Pool/Centre: Freedom Pools Highly Commended: Australian Outdoor Living

Renovation up to $25,000: Adelaide Classic Pools Renovation over $25,000: Mermaid Pool Constructions Highly Commended: Adelaide Classic Pools Concrete Commercial Pool up to $250,000: Rainwise Clearview Commercial Water Display: Riverscape Landscaping & Pools Commercial Pool over $250,000: State Wide Pool Services Australia Highly Commended: South Pacific Pools; State Wide Pool Services Australia

Community Project: State Wide Pool Services Australia

Pool Landscape Design: Elite Pools & Landscapes Innovative Project: OMG Pools Highly Commended: OMG Pools Residential Water Feature: OMG Pools Highly Commended: Riverscape Landscaping & Pools Residential Lighting Feature: Adelaide Classic Pools Best Safety Barrier: Riverscape Landscaping & Pools

Commercial Project of the Year: State Wide Pool Services Australia

Fibreglass Pool Builder of the Year: Outdoor Living

Pool & Spa Combination – Concrete: Mermaid Pool Constructions

Pool of the Year: Urban Oasis

August/September 2020 SPLASH! 51

Queensland

SPASA Australia Awards of Excellence 2020

Pool of the Year: Pools By Design Pool of the Year: Pools By Design Concrete Pool Builder of the Year: Ezy Living Pools Highly Commended: Environ Pools; Pool Fab Pool & Landscape Creations Fibreglass Pool Builder of the Year: Leisure Pools North Brisbane Spa of the Year: Freedom Pools Commercial Project of the Year: Norfolk Pools Business of the Year: Allan’s Pool Shop Employee of the Year: Robert White - Brisbane Prestige Plunge Pools Supplier of the Year: EvoHeat Highly Commended: Blue Glass Pebble Company; Naked Pools Product of the Year: Hayward Pool Products Highly Commended: Ascon Pool; DAB Education & Training Excellence Award: Narellan Pools Highly Commended: Hayward Pool Products; Waterco Marketing Campaign Award: AIS Water Highly Commended: Clark Rubber Franchising; Daisy Pool Covers 52 SPLASH! August/September 2020

Sustainable Product Award: AIS Water Highly Commended: DAB; EvoHeat

Rising Star Award: Robert White - Brisbane Prestige Plunge Pools Highly Commended: Reece Scott - Clark Rubber MacKay

Best Pool Store: Allan’s Pool Shop Highly Commended: Atlantis Pool Services; Clark Rubber Rockhampton

Construction Tradesperson Award: Bradley Ward - Environ Pools Highly Commended: Andy Warden - Summer Daze Pools & Inspections; Brendan Liston - Mineral Pools Qld

Best Mobile Service Business: Jim’s Pool Care North Brisbane Highly Commended: Jim’s Pool Care Thornlands; Reliable Pool Care Best Pool & Spa Barrier Inspector: Nick Robson – Robson’s Pool Safety Inspections Highly Commended: Anita Zaplin - Summer Daze Pools & Inspections; Deborah Herde - We Inspect - Pool Fence Inspector Retail Service Technician Award: Kylie Rojahn - Atlantis Pool Services Highly Commended: Matthew Howard - Clark Rubber Kawana In-Field Service Technician Award: Adrian Bradshaw – Jim’s Pool Care Thornlands Highly Commended: Chris Pilat - Cool Pool Care; Timothy Scott - Environ Pools Pool Sales Representative Award: Rhiannon Royall - Ecozen Pools + Landscapes Highly Commended: Danica Vansleve - Norfolk Pools; Taylor Belgrove - Leisure Pools North Brisbane Supplier Salesperson Award: Jayne Orth - Lo-Chlor Highly Commended: Michael Kettewell - Blue Glass Pebble Company; Scott Clavan - Fluidra

Operational Excellence Award: Amy Smith - Brisbane Prestige Plunge Pools Highly Commended: Blake Pearl - AIS Water; Lee Gibson - Blue Glass Pebble Company Vinyl Lined Modular Pool: Classic Pools Highly Commended: Classic Pools Concrete Pool up to $50,000: Norfolk Pools Highly Commended: Burleigh Pools; Noble Pools Concrete Pool up to $100,000: Pools By Design Highly Commended: Norfolk Pools; Placid Pools Concrete Pool over $100,000: Ezy Living Pools Highly Commended: Ecozen Pools + Landscapes; Pools By Design Fibreglass Pool up to $40,000: Narellan Pools Sunshine Coast & Moreton Bay Highly Commended: Freedom Pools; Leisure Pools North Brisbane

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Fibreglass Pool up to $60,000: Leisure Pools North Brisbane Highly Commended: Freedom Pools; Narellan Pools Sunshine Coast & Moreton Bay Fibreglass Pool over $60,000: Built Right Pools Highly Commended: Freedom Pools; Leisure Pools North Brisbane Freeform Pool up to $50,000: Sundollar Pools Highly Commended: Narellan Pools Sunshine Coast & Moreton Bay; Pool Fab Pool & Landscape Creations Freeform Pool up to $100,000: Placid Pools Highly Commended: Leisure Pools North Brisbane Pool & Spa Combination – Concrete: Environ Pools Highly Commended: Ecozen Pools + Landscapes; Mineral Pools Qld Pool & Spa Combination – Fibreglass: Leisure Pools North Brisbane Highly Commended: Leisure Pools North Brisbane; Narellan Pools Sunshine Coast & Moreton Bay

Renovation over $25,000: Serenity Pool Company Highly Commended: Aqualon Interiors; Jagun Pools + Landscapes

Pool Landscape Design: Ecozen Pools + Landscapes Highly Commended: Jagun Pools + Landscapes; Norfolk Pools

Concrete Commercial Pool up to $250,000: Sundollar Pools Highly Commended: Surfside Pools Commercial

Innovative Project: Ecozen Pools + Landscapes Highly Commended: Environ Pools; EvoHeat

Vinyl Lined Commercial Pool up to $250,000: Aqualon Interiors

Residential Water Feature: Norfolk Pools Highly Commended: Ecozen Pools + Landscapes; Environ Pools

Commercial Pool over $250,000: Norfolk Pools Highly Commended: Sundollar Pools; Surfside Pools Commercial Commercial Water Display: Surfside Pools Commercial Commercial Spa: Surfside Pools Commercial Highly Commended: Norfolk Pools Commercial Renovation: Aqualon Interiors

Residential Lighting Feature: Ecozen Pools + Landscapes Highly Commended: Ecozen Pools + Landscapes; Norfolk Pools Sustainable Project: Brisbane Prestige Plunge Pools Best Safety Barrier: Norfolk Pools Highly Commended: Brisbane Prestige Plunge Pools; Pool Fab Pool & Landscape Creations

Community Project: Norfolk Pools

Prefabricated Composite Pool: Brisbane Prestige Plunge Pools Highly Commended: Brisbane Prestige Plunge Pools Vinyl Lined In-ground Pool: Aqualon Interiors Highly Commended: Aqualon Interiors Enclosed/Indoor Pool: Pools By Design Courtyard/Plunge Pool: Mineral Pools Qld Highly Commended: Brisbane Prestige Plunge Pools; Freedom Pools

Concrete Pool Builder of the Year: Ezy Living Pools

Spa of the Year: Freedom Pools

Commercial Project of the Year: Norfolk Pools

Lap Pool – Concrete: Noble Pools Highly Commended: Burleigh Pools; Environ Pools Lap Pool – Fibreglass: Freedom Pools Highly Commended: Freedom Pools In-ground Spa: Freedom Pools Highly Commended: Norfolk Pools; Pool Fab Pool & Landscape Creations August/September 2020 SPLASH! 53

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Pool of the Year: Leader Pools

ACT/NT/WA/Tas

SPASA Australia Awards of Excellence 2020 ACT Awards Pool of the Year: Leader Pools

Fibreglass Pool Builder of the Year: Capital Fibreglass Pools

Fibreglass Pool Builder of the Year: Capital Fibreglass Pools Spa of the Year: Leader Pools Commercial Project of the Year: Leader Pools Product of the Year: Ascon Pool Education & Training Excellence Award: Clark Rubber Franchising Marketing Campaign Award: Clark Rubber Franchising Concrete Pool up to $50,000: Leader Pools Concrete Pool up to $100,000: Leader Pools Concrete Pool over $100,000: Leader Pools Highly Commended: Leader Pools Fibreglass Pool up to $40,000: Capital Fibreglass Pools 54 SPLASH! August/September 2020

Fibeglass Pool up to $60,000: Capital Fibreglass Pools Highly Commended: Capital Fibreglass Pools Fibreglass Pool over $60,000: Capital Fibreglass Pools Highly Commended: Capital Fibreglass Pools Pool & Spa Combination – Concrete: Leader Pools Prefabricated Composite Pool: Capital Fibreglass Pools

Courtyard/Plunge Pool: Leader Pools Lap Pool – Concrete: Leader Pools In-ground Spa: Leader Pools Commercial Water Display: Leader Pools Innovative Project: Leader Pools

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Residential Water Feature: Leader Pools Highly Commended: Leader Pools

Highly Commended: Ascon Pool

Marketing Campaign Award: Clark Rubber Franchising

Education & Training Excellence Award: Clark Rubber Franchising

Best Spa Retailer: Pool & Spa World

Residential Lighting Feature: Leader Pools Highly Commended: Leader Pools

Marketing Campaign Award: Clark Rubber Franchising

WA Awards

Tasmanian Awards

Employee of the Year: Robert Teraci - Clark Rubber Franchising

Sustainable Project: Leader Pools

Business of the Year: Pool & Spa World

NT Awards

Education & Training Excellence Award: Clark Rubber Franchising

Product of the Year: DAB

Operational Excellence Award: Robert Teraci - Clark Rubber Franchising

Spa of the Year: Leader Pools

Commercial Project of the Year: Leader Pools

Best Spa Retailer: Pool & Spa World

THE AL GIN R O I y

s Dai

INDUSTRY BEST POOL COVER & ROLLER SOLUTIONS The award-winning Daisy Pool Covers and Rollers are • Domestic covers and rollers • Under bench rollers

• Full Commercial systems and solutions

AUSTRALIA’S FAV URITE. 1300 55 18 11 daisypoolcovers.com.au

• In ground boxes • Manual, power and solar options Highest quality I Best technology I Excellent service

     August/September 2020 SPLASH! 55

Thank you to our generous Sponsors and Partners

PLATINUM Sponsors

GOLD Sponsors

The Awards of Excellence is designed to promote the ownership of pools and spas and to showcase the best in the industry.

The regional and national awards, Choosing Your Pool & Spa magazine and ongoing annual promotions through digital marketing and consumer shows are all made possible by the valuable contribution of our sponsors and partners.

Consider your next purchase These companies dedicate a significant investment towards marketing to future pool and spa owners.

SPASA encourages all industry participants to support the brands that are a part of the growth of our community of professionals.

INDUSTRY Sponsors and Partners

visit spasaawards.com.au to view the full complement of 2020 award winners contact us: P 1300 021 482 E askus@spasa.com.au

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SPASA WA

Awards of Excellence 2020

Pool of the Year: Reflections Pool & Spa Care Pool of the Year: Reflections Pool & Spa Care Product of the Year: rX Tank by Kreepy Krauly Silver: Ozone XLM with pH control by Pool Controls; Bronze: Naked Freshwater System

by Naked Pools Sustainable Product Award: Ozone Chemigem by Pool Controls Silver: E.Swim 300 Pump by DAB Pumps Concrete Pool - up to $50,000: North Shore Pools & Landscaping Silver: Quality Dolphin Pools; Bronze: Boardwalk Pools Concrete Pool - $50,000 to $100,000: Panas Pool Services Silver: Boardwalk Pools; Bronze: Quality Dolphin Pools Concrete Pool - over $100,000: Distinctive Pools Fibreglass Pool - up to $40,000: Barrier Reef Pools Silver: Barrier Reef Pools; Bronze: Aqua Technics 58 SPLASH! August/September 2020

Fibreglass Pool - $40,000 - $60,000: Aqua Technics Silver: Barrier Reef Pools; Bronze: Buccaneer Pools

Residential Indoor/Enclosed Pool: Boardwalk Pools Silver: Barrier Reef Pools; Bronze: Freedom Pools & Spas

Fibreglass Pool - over $60,000: Barrier Reef Pools Silver: Barrier Reef Pools

Courtyard/Plunge Pool: North Shore Pools & Landscaping Silver: Quality Dolphin Pools; Bronze: Panas Pool Services

Second Hand Pool: Bay Pools & Spas Silver: Bay Pools & Spas; Bronze: Bay Pools & Spas Pool & Spa Combination – Concrete: Reflections Pool & Spa Care Silver: Quality Dolphin Pools; Bronze: The Concrete Pool Company Pool & Spa Combination – Fibreglass: Barrier Reef Pools Silver: Barrier Reef Pools; Bronze: Barrier Reef Pools Vinyl Lined In-ground Pool: Moonlight Pools Residential Pre-Engineered Vinyl Lined Pool: Classic Pools Silver: Classic Pools; Bronze: Classic Pools

Innovative Pool and/or Spa: Reflections Pool & Spa Care Silver: Panas Pool Services; Bronze: Aqua Technics Lap Pool – Concrete: The Concrete Pool Company Silver: Boardwalk Pools; Bronze: Busselton Spa & Pool Installations Lap Pool – Fibreglass: Freedom Pools & Spas Silver: Freedom Pools & Spas Sponsored by Swimming WA Lap Pool – Vinyl Lined: Bay Pools & Spas Fibreglass Commercial Pool Up To $250, 000: Aqua Technics Commercial Silver: Barrier Reef Pools

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Renovation Residential-up to $25,000: Busselton Spa & Pool Installations Silver: Panas Pool Services; Bronze: Perth Fibreglass Pool Renovation Residential-over $25,000: Panas Pool Services Silver: Amalfi Interiors; Bronze: Panas Pool Services Commercial Renovation: Distinctive Pools Silver: Perth Fibreglass Pools; Bronze: Distinctive Pools Pool Landscape Design of the Year – up to $60,000: Scapes Unlimited Pool Landscape Design of the Year – over $60,000: eScape Landscape Architecture Silver: Principal Pools & Landscapes

Concrete Spa – Residential: The Concrete Pool Company

Best Safety Barrier: Fencing & Gate Co Silver: Glass Boundaries; Bronze: Fencing & Gate Co

Residential Pre-engineered Portable Spa: Mega Spa Silver: Freedom Pools & Spas; Bronze West Coast Spas

Pool Shop of the Year: Pool Logic

Residential Pre-engineered Swim Spa: West Coast Spas

Spa Retailer of the Year: Mega Spa

Concrete Spa – Residential: The Concrete Pool Company Silver: Busselton Spa & Pool Installations Water Feature: Distinctive Pools Silver: Distinctive Pools; North Shore Pools & Landscaping

Marketing Campaign of the Year: Kreepy Krauly Silver: Sapphire Pools; Bronze: Daisy Pool Covers Fibreglass Commercial Pool Up To $250, 000: Aqua Technics Commercial

Education & Training Excellence Award: Waterco Pool & Spa Service Business of the Year: Jim’s Pool Care South Lake Concrete Pool Builder of the Year: Boardwalk Pools Fibreglass Pool Builder of the Year: Aquatic Leisure Technologies Display Pool/Centre: Riverina Pools Silver: Factory Pools Perth; Bronze: Freedom Pools & Spas Supplier of the Year: Austral Pool Solutions Pool & Spa Service Technician of the Year: Ashley Hale – Jim’s Pool Care South Lake Retail Salesperson of the Year: Michael Lussenberg – South Perth Pool Supplies

Concrete Pool - over $100,000: Distinctive Pools

Supplier Representative of the Year: Gavin Bane – Fluidra August/September 2020 SPLASH! 59

NEW

DATES

For more information visit www.splashexpo.com.au or call 1300 789 845 Owned By

Platinum Sponsor

Media Partner

Gold Sponsors

Organised By

Silver Sponsor

Golf Sponsor

Largest pool & spa show in Southern Hemisphere Expanded exhibition area now encompassing all available expo space in Convention Centre New education format with training outside of expo hours Enhanced SPASA Awards Increased collaboration with other aquatic industry sectors

commercial news

Canterbury Bankstown Council has joined the program. To see a video of their experience got the link below

Commercial News Three stages to managing the covid crisis ���������������������������������������� 64 Taipei water play picks up an A+Award �������������������������������������� 65 Ashfield Aquatic Centre nearing completion ������������������������������ 64 Competition pool gets a second life �������������������������������������������� 70 Learn-to-swim

Making swimming safer for migrant communities Royal Life Saving (RLS) research has revealed that four in five people (79 per cent) from multicultural backgrounds who drowned in New South Wales between July 2013 and June 2018 were poor swimmers or non-swimmers.

Further research found that some refugees and migrants arriving in Australia had had limited or no contact with a public swimming pool or had no formal swimming or water safety education.

Royal Life Saving NSW’s Cultural Competence Program, produced in partnership with the NSW Government, has been specifically developed to address the high number of drowning fatalities among diverse communities.

SLS NSW’s CEO, Michael Ilinsky, says that for many recent migrants, the journey to a pool may be daunting or unknown.

“It is therefore really important that we make Aquatic Centres welcoming and positive places to visit for everyone.”

The Cultural Competence Program is designed to ensure that employees at Aquatic Centres have an understanding of the issues affecting people from other countries and their needs. The aim is to increase cultural engagement and prepare the sector to build resilient and inclusive communities that have the relevant skills and knowledge to participate in aquatic recreation safely.

Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre was the first pool nationally to complete the training.

Sydney Olympic Park Authority CEO, Sam Romaniuk, said they jumped at the opportunity to conduct the training among all staff to ensure the centre could provide a safe, inclusive environment for everyone to enjoy.

“The Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre attracts over one million visitors each year to learn to swim, train, and spectate or to splash about and have fun,” says Romaniuk.

“We are proud of the cultural diversity of our

Architecture

Adrenaline inspires pool concept

Nature’s powerful setting inspired Atak to come up with a spectacular pool design

62 SPLASH! August/September 2020

staff, members and visitors. All staff, be it our lifeguards, front desk workers or management team, have completed the Cultural Competence Program so we are best equipped to respect one another and provide a welcoming and inclusive environment.”

Currently, 10 aquatic centres in NSW have been accredited as ‘Culturally Qualified Centres’: • Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre • Oasis Aquatic Centre Wagga Wagga • First Splashes Toronto • Galston Aquatic Centre • Hornsby Aquatic Centre • Nereids Aquatic Coaching • Granville Swim Centre • Guildford Swimming Centre • Merrylands Swimming Centre • Wentworthville Swimming Centre Contact: https://royalnsw.com.au/About/ Cultural-Competence

Turkish architect Hayri Atak has come up with a spectacular concept: a pool extending from Pulpit Rock in Norway, dangling precariously over the fiord below.

The powerful natural setting inspired him to wonder what it would be like to swim out above the fiord, more than 600 metres below. He took it one step further and drew up a design not only for the pool, but also incorporating a nine-room hotel.

He was thrilled by the prospect of swimming in such a location, even as it scared him. In his imagination he experienced the adrenaline of being in the water, floating over the edge.

“Sometimes there are places that create a spark in my mind, and I dream about it and work it into a design. That kind of works raises my creativity and makes me find interesting ideas for my ‘real world’ designs. I called that activity ‘what if ’ brainstorming,” he says.

One day this adrenaline fuelled idea may become reality, but if not, the concept may find purchase in another of Atak’s more practical designs that progress to fulfilment.

Contact: https://hayriatak.com

commercial news

Learn-to-swim

New benchmarks set for swimming lessons Royal Life Saving (RLS) has published its latest National Swimming and Water Safety Framework for learn to swim (LTS) programs in Australia, which sets out new benchmarks for children participating in swimming and water safety lessons.

Among the benchmarks are the recommendations that children should be able to swim continuously for at least five metres by six years of age, 50 metres by 12 years and 400 metres by 17 years.

With early reports showing that some parents may be reluctant to reenrol their children in swimming lessons due to the covid-19 pandemic, RLS is keen to highlight why swimming and water safety skills are essential for fun, fitness and safety, especially as summer approaches.

CEO Justin Scarr says that swimming is an intrinsic part of the Australian way of life, meaning swim lessons actually save lives.

“Royal Life Saving is asking parents: can your 10-year-old swim 50 metres freestyle and tread water for two minutes? If not, we urge you to speak with your local swim school now.”

The National Swimming and Water Safety Framework reinforces the importance of freestyle and backstroke swimming strokes, as well as water safety skills such as survival strokes, treading water and rescue techniques to keep children safe in water.

The framework has been re-developed in partnership with experts from industry organisations, including AustSwim, Swimming Australia and ASCTA. While it aims to inform Government policy makers and swim schools, it is an important resource for parents to understand the lifelong benefits that learning to swim provides.

The framework provides three benchmarks for children at age 6, 12 and 17 years. Royal Life Saving believes that: • Every Australian at the age of six years should be able to swim continuously for at least five metres, submerge and move through an obstacle, and identify people and actions to help in an aquatic emergency; • Every Australian at the age of 12 years should be able to at least tread water for two minutes and swim continuously for 50 metres, rescue a person using a non-swimming rescue technique with non-rigid aids, and perform a survival sequence wearing clothing; • 50 per cent of all Australians at the age of 17 years should be able to tread water for five minutes, swim continuously for 400 metres, rescue an unconscious person in deep water, and perform a survival sequence wearing heavy clothing.

Royal Life Saving data shows that 75 per cent of children stop swimming lessons before the age of nine years and that 40 per cent of 12-year-olds are not achieving these benchmarks.

August/September 2020 SPLASH! 63 Bluesquare Ad h=270mm x w=90mm.indd 1

9/1/20 1:21 PM

commercial news

Waterparks

Taipei water play picks up an A+Award

The Tainan Spring public space won a Jury Prize in the Architectural Catgeory of the A+Awards

Online platform for architecture and building-products Architizer has announced the winners of its 8th Annual Architizer A+Awards. Architizer says the awards program is the most international program honouring the best architecture, spaces and products from across the globe.

The 2020 winners include 194 innovative projects and products by renowned industry leaders and emerging talents. Among them was a water play space in Taipei.

Tainan Spring is a public space design that includes the transformation of a former city-centre shopping mall into an urban lagoon and the improvement of a kilometre-long stretch of the nearby Haian Road. The plan includes improved public pathways, a reduction in traffic, and the addition of local plants.

The China-Town mall has been removed and meticulously recycled.

The mall’s underground parking level has been transformed into a sunken public plaza dominated by an urban pool and verdant local plants. The pool has been carefully planned to be a perfect gathering spot for all seasons. This space hosts playgrounds, gathering spaces, and a stage for performances, while the artful deconstruction of the building’s concrete frame has left a number of follies that can be converted to shops and kiosks.

This new way of preserving heritage meant that the site was not cleared and renewed in a tabula rasa approach – instead the foundations of the former mall stick out of the park and the lagoon like a contemporary Roman forum, offering a visual marker of the historical decision to close a port in favour of a mall.

The renovation of Haian Road has brought new life to one of Tainan’s most lively streets. Traffic on the street has been reduced, with cars now occupying just a single lane in each direction. Both Haian Road and the new public square see the introduction of large areas of planting, which makes use of local plant species mixed together in a way that emulates the natural verdant landscape to the east of Tainan

Full list of winners: awards.architizer.com/winners-gallery

Details Partners: Urban Planners: The Urbanists Collaborative, Taipei, Taiwan Local Architect: LLJ Architects, Taipei, Taiwan Landscape Designers: Progressive Environmental Inc., Taipei Taiwan Structure Design: Urban Sculptor, Taipei, Taiwan Traffic Engineers: THI Consultants Inc., Taipei, Taiwan MEP: Songsing Engineering Consultants Inc., Taipei, Taiwan Images: Aplus Digital Technology Co., Ltd

Covid-19

Three stages to managing the pandemic The Australian Swimming Coaches & Teachers Association (ASCTA) has put together a handy crisis management resource table.

It helps plan the response, recovery and reimagining phases of managing the covid-19 crisis. ASCTA believes is may be useful for reviewing how a swim school, club or squad has gone so far and help them garner ideas for the future.

To download an editable template for your business, and for the latest covid advice for public pool operators, go to www.ascta.com/newspublications/covid-19.

64 SPLASH! August/September 2020

Area

Respond (Short Term)

Recover (Medium Term)

Reimagine (Long term)

Strategy

Demonstrate Leadership within the Team

Consider options to pivot

Question the return to Business as Usual

Product

Consider on-line sales and service channels

Review supply chain

Review product mix and pricing

Customers

Communicate with customers

Identify key customers or other stakeholders

Identify new customers and opportunities

Operations

Establish crisis team

Consider innovative solutions

Implement automation and technological solutions

People

Invoke new working arrangements to effect social distancing

Identify key person risks

Review HR policies

Risk and Compliance

Execute the Business Continuity Plan

Update the Risk Register

Review the Risk Management Framework

Technology

Implement remote Access Systems

Review cybersecurity posture

Accelerate Digital Transformation Plans

Performance

Conduct scenario analysis

Update budgets

Build resilience into revenue streams

Funding

Identify and Access State and Federal Funding

Negotiate debt facilities and covenants

Pre-emptive capital raising

Cash Flow

Contain expenses and update cash flow forecasts

Cost Management

Consider opportunities for capex investment

Marketing

Review Stakeholder Communications plans

Review Communications Plan

Consider opportunities to increase market share

commercial news

In Brief Coffs Harbour City Council confirmed they are transitioning management of the local public swimming pools from Lane 4 back to Council from mid-October. Todd McHardy CEO of Lane 4 says like many Australian businesses, particularly in the recreation industry, the business has suffered greatly with the impact of the covid-19 pandemic. In light of that fact the council has agreed to release Lane 4 from its lease. The decision to offer the lease to “out of towners” Lane 4 was considered controversial in 2017 after years of committed work by local managers, including manager of the Woolgoolga Swimming Pool, Scott Hunt, who said at the time he was gutted by the decision after putting his own money and considerable time and effort into keeping the pool afloat for 31 years. The Council at the time said there were extensive cost and service efficiency benefits if all pools were run by one operator.

Tasmania’s Ross Swimming Pool near Launceston has been saved from its uncertain future after the Northern Midlands Council acceded to community pressure to retain it. The pool has now been included in the council’s 2020/21 budget, along with pools in Campbell Town and Cressy. The council is now preparing a strategy to direct the provision, planning, operation and funding of all council-owned swimming pool facilities. This will include how to approach the council’s estimation of requiring more than $1 million for upgrades to the Ross pool.

IAAPA’s Expo Europe 2020 has been cancelled, with the next IAAPA event to be the EMEA region expo in Barcelona in 2021.

The cancellation is due to the uncertainty surrounding the global coronavirus pandemic. The expo was scheduled to take place from September 21 to 24 in London, UK. “As the world works through the unprecedented impacts of covid-19, IAAPA’s top priority continues to be the health, well-being, and safety of our global members and team,” says Hal McEvoy, president and CEO, IAAPA. “After careful review, and with significant input from members, exhibitors, and our team, the IAAPA Board of Directors decided to cancel IAAPA Expo Europe 2020. We look forward to safely connecting our members in Europe when the time is right.”

The World Aquatic Health Conference (WAHC), an educational conference for aquatics professionals, is going virtual this year amid the global pandemic. Celebrating its 17th year, WAHC continues the tradition of disseminating cutting-edge science relevant to all segments of the pool and spa market. The virtual WAHC will be held on October 15 and 16. The Pool and Hot Tub Alliance says the event will have a virtual exhibit hall, sponsor booths and research presented by industry experts from around the world. Between sessions, attendees will enjoy robust networking using a highly dynamic 3D virtual environment and industry professionals will get face-to-face experience on a virtual platform that is social, mobile and interactive.

After going into a hiatus due to covid-19, a waterpark in Pennsylvania USA was damaged by adult skateboarders who decided to skate on the dry waterslides. Local police caught five people aged 20 to 39 after breaking into Waldameer Park and Water World in Erie and riding skateboards over the slides. Waldameer estimate the damage to be about $US6000 after the skateboard wheels scratched the surface and the boards chipped the curved fibreglass.

August/September 2020 SPLASH! 65

SHOW YOUR COMMITMENT TO

PRESERVING THE ENVIRONMENT

The Climate Care Certification Program is an initiative of the Swimming Pool & Spa Association of Australia Ltd (SPASA). It is the industry’s efficiency and sustainability certification program.

SPASA is proud to deliver an industry wide program to support, protect and promote the way the swimming pool and spa industry operates and strives for best practice sustainable solutions.

BENEFITS OF CERTIFICATION CONSUMER BENEFITS ü Purchase with confidence knowing that you are choosing a certified environmentally sustainable solution ü Enjoy the benefits of choosing a solution which utilises water efficiency, energy efficiency, noise reduction measures, environmentally sustainable designs or efficiency/sustainability innovations ü Reduce your overall carbon footprint whilst saving money

INDUSTRY BENEFITS ü Highlight your product/system/installation’s environmentally sustainable qualities ü Show your commitment to preserving the environment and to industry best practice ü Demonstrate your investment in the industry’s sustainable future and inspire others to do the same

THIRD-PARTY VERIFICATION All Climate Care Certified products undergo independent third-party testing and/or verification to assess and report on claims being made such as water efficiency and energy savings.

Only credible and trusted local, national and international testing and verification bodies are considered by SPASA to ensure that claims being made on energy and water efficiency and sustainability are substantiated.

SWIMMING POOL & SPA ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA TEL 1300 021 482 WWW.SPASA.COM.AU

commercial feature

Competition pools get a second life The Skypool in use at the 2017 Universiade Games

The grand opening of the pools at the Taiwan National Sports Training Centre

The competition and training pools from Taipei’s 2017 University Games have been repurposed as training pools for their swimming athletes at an elite national training centre.

In 2017, Fluidra designed and installed the Olympic swimming pool and the training pool in Taiwan for the 29th World University Games – the 29th Summer Universiade – which was held in Taipei in August that year.

The project was commissioned by the Taipei City Government and included many advanced solutions including the Skypool floating pool system that makes it possible to build a temporary pool without impacting a sports pavilion’s flooring as it does not have to be anchored to the ground.

This is a similar system that was used in Australia during the 2007 FINA World Championships held in Melbourne at the Rod Laver Arena.

Following that event, the panels were repurposed for regional council pools. Similar repurposing has happened in other countries as well.

When Taipei’s University Games ended, the pools were moved from the Multipurpose Gymnasium at the National Taiwan Sport University to a location in the south of the country.

Now the pools have a second life with their opening in the National Sports Training Centre, ROC, organised by the head of the Taiwan Sports Division.

The Skypool panel system enables the speedy installation, disassembly and transport of the mobile temporary pool. It is lightweight and free of permanent anchoring, meaning the pools could be dismounted, relocated and installed in their new home, ready for a new life helping highperformance swimmers prepare for future international competitions.

In this second life, the competition pool will be the training pool for elite swimmers from the Taiwan national swim team as they prepare for the next Olympics, starting with August’s Olympic Simulation Games.

Contact: www.astralpool.com.au

“In this second life, the competition pool will be the training pool for elite swimmers from the Taiwan national swim team as they prepare for the next Olympics.”

The pools now permanently installed at the Taiwan National Sports Training Centre

August/September 2020 SPLASH! 67

commercial feature

Ashfield Aquatic Centre nears completion The program pool can go from 2.4 metres to zero depth in about two minutes

S

ydney’s Inner West Council is preparing to open its newly redeveloped Ashfield Aquatic Centre in late September or early October.

The project is part of the council’s $65 million investment in park and aquatic facilities over three years, the biggest investment in sports facilities in the history of the Inner West.

Not only is the project on time, it is also meeting its budget. The approved budget for the redevelopment is nearly $45 million. As at the end of June 2020, expenditure was just over $38 million (86 per cent).

The centre includes a new 50-metre outdoor pool with accessible ramp and split boom; a new program pool with floating floor; a new children’s leisure pool with landscaping and green wall; a new two-storey entry building with cafe, change areas, crèche, staff facilities and retail space; a new 1000sqm gym on Level 2 of the entry building; new sauna, steam and spa attached to the existing pool hall building; a community green space and covered seating; landscaping areas and terraces for the external pools; and increased parking spaces.

The project is being completed without the assistance of federal or state grants.

68 SPLASH! August/September 2020

Important part of the suite

Inner West Council’s senior manager for sport and recreation, Simon Duck, says the facility is an important element of their suite of five aquatic and leisure facilities, which also includes Leichhardt Aquatic Centre, Annette Kellerman Aquatic Centre and two seasonal pools, one being a harbour pool.

“The Inner West Council has what I think is the most diverse suite of aquatic centres in Australia because of its unique nature made up of harbour pools, outdoor pools and multipurpose large aquatics and leisure facilities. An incredible diverse range that can provide aquatics and recreation for up to 200,000 people in the LGA,” he says.

The pools will be open year-round and heated with a combination of solar and heat pumps. The pool temperatures will vary but the target temperature for the outdoor pool will be 27 degrees.

Duck says the council is very pleased with how much facility they’ll be getting for the budget.

“The architects, the design and construction to date have been outstanding.”

He believes the facility will be the prime regional pool for school carnivals, as it is a 50-metre outdoor

commercial feature

pool with a grandstand and shade. Historically it’s always had school carnivals, up to 40 per year, and the program pool also allows for water polo competitions.

Additionally, the centre is located within walking distance of two train stations.

When completed, Duck expects it to attract half a million visitors per year.

This will be a slightly higher attendance than the facility at Enmore (400,000-450,000) and slightly less than the one at Leichhardt (up to 700,000).

He anticipates more than 2000 children will use the learn-to-swim programs, and foundation memberships are currently available and filling up.

Covid effect

While Duck expects covid-19 will have an impact on numbers, he is hopeful the effect won’t be too great.

“We’re seeing a return to business of about 60 per cent of our former levels,” he says.

“So there is still some hesitation out there in the community to fully return back to previous attendance at our other pools, and I’m expecting something similar here, depending on covid of course. By the time we open I do think we’ll have moved back closer to our regular numbers.”

He says the earlier pool closures were felt quite sharply by the community.

“Many of them rely on pools for their health and wellbeing and their lifestyle. So reopening pools is incredibly important, and of course having all your safety plans in place and very well organised is critical.

“But it’s absolutely essential to be able to continue to operate pools and continue that health and wellness for people,” he says.

“Swimming has always been incredibly important not just in terms of swimming for exercise, but swimming for recreation, for wellness, attending learnto-swim classes which then lead to better health and lifestyles for young people in their later years, as well as socialisation with peers, family socialisation and intergenerational activities.”

Additionally, the dry areas will add to the financial stability of the centre, which will be run by the council.

“The successful health and fitness amenity will help provide successful health and fitness programs that can help make the whole facility viable,” he says.

The pools

The outdoor program pool features a moveable floor that allows the pool depth to go down to 2.4 metres or come right up to zero depth. It can be locked at zero depth at night-time, in the closed position for security and heat retention.

Throughout the day the pool can be set at varying depths to run different programs, from water polo to lap swimming, aquarobics and learn-to-swim programs.

The Canadian built system by SR Smith is very robust and it only takes approximately two minutes to go from full to zero depth. The council believes this is the first of its kind and size in Australia. It also allows activities for wheelchair users and for movie screenings.

Key contactors

The structure of the existing indoor pool was retained

Lead contractor: FDC

Concrete: Gunlake; Conzpec

Pool Construction: Crystal Pools

HV Electrical: Ultegra

Pool Filtration: Trisley’s

Electrical: D&C

Moveable floor: SR Smith

Shade Structures: Abacus Shade Sails

Tiling: Classic Tiling

Joinery: Beckton

Hydraulics: Jones & Jones

Overhead doors: Renlita

Mechanical Services: Dewpoint

Operable walls: Murano

Reinforcement: Wire Industries; Top Team

Roller doors: Mirage Demolition and civil works: Moits

Formwork: Hillsform

Inner West Council’s senior manager for sport and recreation, Simon Duck,

The moveable boom provides a great deal of versatility in the ways they can use the 50-metre pool

August/September 2020 SPLASH! 69

commercial feature

The new building has a light, modern feel

especially for an outdoor application. It actually allows the floor to raise all the way up to the surface – to zero depth – and that’s going to provide Council with a huge range of options in terms of programming for swim school and the like, which is really cool.”

When asked about how they adapted the build to meet the challenges of the new covid age, he says that initially there was some uncertainty.

“Fortunately we were pretty quick to adapt and look to really implement things like social distancing, increased hygiene on site, staggering of meal breaks and just sequencing the works to ensure that everyone was able to follow all the health guidelines,” he says.

“It’s absolutely essential to be able to continue to operate pools and continue that health and wellness for people.”

The indoor wet play area was remodelled, retaining the existing fittings, with only the tiling being replaced for the indoor pool. The varying levels were also removed so the pools are on the same level, which works much better when combined with the new bifold door systems to make a more open space.

The 50-metre pool will be used for leisure, school carnivals, lap swimming, squads, aquarobics and a range of uses. One of the unique design components of the pool is the boom in the middle of the pool, which enables it to be turned into two 25-metre pools, or one side to be 50-metres and the other 25-metres, allowing the pool to operate multiple different programs at any time: children’s programs, learn-to-swim, seniors, lap swimming and carnivals.

The children’s leisure pool will be surrounded by umbrellas and seating and will be a hub for family use, recreation and children’s activities.

The construction

Peter Blood, project manager for lead contractor FDC, says at approximately 50 to 60 years old, the original pool was deemed to be at the end of its useful structural lifespan.

“The existing indoor pool was only 20 to 25 years old, so as part of the overall cost efficiency of the project there was a decision made to retain that structure, given that it still had 20 to 30 useful years ahead of it.

But the rest of the facility was completely redeveloped, demolished and started from scratch,” he says.

The overall concept has been around since 2016, with FDC’s involvement commencing from September 2018 when it was awarded the building contract for the development. FDC have been on site since February 2019, just over 18 months for the construction with about eight weeks remaining on the build at the time of writing.

He says the water polo pool is a pretty impressive structure.

“One of the unique features on this particular pool is the incorporation of a moveable floor. It’s a moveable floor that’s been imported from Canada – in fact I think it’s probably one of the largest ones in Australia, 70 SPLASH! August/September 2020

“We ourselves have put various procedures in place to meet those guidelines, and fortunately for us on this particular site we haven’t had any occurrences of covid-19 and in fact none of our supply chain partners have been detrimentally affected by covid-19, so we’ve been quite fortunate. But we sort of made our luck to some degree I think by implementing a lot of the processes we had in place. It worked out really quite well.”

He says that in terms of timing, everything has gone more or less according to plan.

“I guess on a project of this scale it’s not unexpected to come across some inclement weather and different latent conditions at different points in the project, but all of that’s been factored in with the original program and we’re on track if we get a good run over the next couple of months to hand over and open the centre on time, which is really exciting for council and for ourselves as well. It’s been great.

“My understanding is they’re targeting a date in October to open the centre. I think at this point it’s still TBC what that date is but everything’s on track from our perspective to get it there for them.”

Contacts F DC: www.fdcbuilding.com.au Inner West Council: www.innerwest.nsw.gov.au Video interview: www.splashmagazine.com.au/videos

Finishing touches

Training by the industry for the industry Building & Construction

Business & Leadership

Commercial Pool Technician

Landscaping

Pool Barrier Inspection

Pool & Spa Service

Retail

Tailored Workshops

Get Qualified with flexible & blended learning ENROL NOW training@spasa.com.au www.spasa.com.au 1800 802 482

new products

Taking relaxation to new heights

Blissing out by the pool has never been more relaxing than swinging on a Two Trees hammock between cool dips. The quilted double rod hammock can be hung independently or swung on the Two Trees universal hammock frame to take things to the next level.

Ideal for adults or kids who want to chill out on beautiful spring and summer days.

Contact: www.mayohardware.com.au

Distinctive outdoor setting

From Designer Justin Hutchinson comes the Forrest outdoor suite, a stylish weather resistant lounge with a distinctive Australian style. Crafted from premium grade plantation teak, Forrest lounge rejoices in a natural, timeless quality. The form is curvaceous and inviting, speaking to the expert hand of its maker. Woven details are refined, delicate but strong – providing a functional support for the back of the lounge and dining chair.

The Forrest tables celebrate natural stone, a further refinement of fine outdoor living.

Contact: coshliving.com.au

New and improved EvoluX iQ

The new and improved EvoluX iQ range is set to replace key models from the renowned Vortex (VX) line-up of Zodiac robotic cleaners.

Zodiac says while keeping the best features of the VX range, the EvoluX iQ introduces the Sensor Nav System, a highly intelligent system that measures and analyses pool dimensions to provide the ultimate clean for every pool.

The Climate Care Certificated EvoluX iQ is also equipped with a pressure and temperature sensor so it can determine its current depth within the pool, to ensure a seamless clean of the walls and waterline while collecting useful user data. It can be controlled via a new app, enabling users to set timers and cleaning cycles, view pool data, and remotely drive over stubborn areas. zodiac.com.au/cleaners 72 SPLASH! August/September 2020

new products

Branded sanitiser station

SPASA WA has arranged the supply of hygiene stations which come with automatic sanitiser dispensers to help staff and customers protect against coronavirus transmission and covid-19 infections.

They are available thanks to Perth Expo Hire, and can be co-branded for individual business requirements.

They come with a 750ml automatic dispenser, are battery operated, have a robust melamine stand and include branding to the front. They are made in Australia and are delivered free to the Perth metropolitan area.

Liquid sanitiser and batteries are not included.

Contact: info@spasawa.com.au

QT1000 robot added to the Viron range

AstralPool has introduced a robotic cleaner to its environment friendly Viron range – the QT1000; their most elite pool cleaner ever produced.

AstralPool says the Viron range is built for the Australian climate and consists of the most robust, energy efficient and environmentally friendly products on the market. The QT1000 is fully independent, relieving pressure on the skimmer, pump baskets and filter, ultimately minimising maintenance and saving water through reduced backwashing.

The Climate Care Certified Viron QT1000 combines extreme efficiency and intelligence, learning the configuration of the pool with its stateof-the-art Sensor Nav System and also having an improved intuitive iAquaLink application for unparalleled user control.

Contact: www.astralpool.com.au

For a clear view of the pool

Daisy has released the 350 Illusion solar pool cover, which takes on the natural colour of the pool while still saving 97 per cent of water evaporation, warming the pool water, saving chemicals, money and time.

Now there’s no need to hide the carefully selected colour of the pool water while getting all the benefits of a premium pool cover. As with all the Daisy pool cover range, the cover features Daisy’s trademarked durable and efficient UltraDome technology. Additionally, the 350i material is 350um thick for optimal look and performance on the pool.

NB: the pool cover is not 100 per cent clear and may look whiter from certain angles.

Contact: www.daisypoolcovers.com.au August/September 2020 SPLASH! 73

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PARAMOUNT IN-FLOOR CLEANING SYSTEMS THE WORLD’S NUMBER 1 IN-FLOOR CLEANING SYSTEM BROUGHT TO YOU BY POOL-WATER PRODUCTS

Paramount’s custom built in-floor cleaning systems are engineered to automatically clean any pool you design, including floors, steps, benches and spas.

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AUSTRALIA’S LEADING POOL BUILDERS CHOOSE PARAMOUNT

Pool-Water Products | P: 03 9873 5055 Email: info@poolwaterproducts.com.au www.poolwaterproducts.com.au

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