Splash January 2015 Issue - 97

Swimming Pools / Leisure / Aquatics / Spas / Health

Issue 97

December 2014/January 2015

A private zoo And its pool Aussie breaks record For world’s longest swim Position, position, position Perfect pool placement

www.splashmagazine.com.au

Conference of water science Update on the latest WAHC

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26

Contents 52

Convenience is king Clark Hale, president of Hayward Industries, features in our series of interviews from the 2014 SPLASH! Pool & Spa Trade Show on the Gold Coast.

Marking up to stay on target Sue Hirst explains what KPIs are and why you need them to keep your business healthy.

29

48

Solar veteran discusses pool heating Another from our series of talks from SPLASH! 2014, David Sizelove of Aquatherm Industries casts his eye over the solar pool heating segment.

30

Pricing for profit Cal Stanley explains how to make a profit from your business – not merely increase cash flow – while highlighting some common pitfalls along the way.

62

54

44

Cooling the desert reindeer A wealthy Dubai businessman wanted his own zoo stocked with cold climate creatures such as reindeer, so naturally he needed a cooling pool.

48

Tranquil garden pools The Victorian Landscape Awards featured a host of beautiful gardens, framing wonderful swimming pools and water features.

25 years in the family On the occasion of Hydrocare Pool Services celebrating its 25th anniversary, owner Robert Savell looks back at the company’s history.

64

Inspiration and perspiration in Oregon Alan Lewis observes interesting presentations at the latest World Aquatic Health Conference in the USA.

32

Position, position, position Veda Dante asks industry and design experts what to consider when looking for the best place to site a pool on a property.

60

Surf ride goes global Australian invention LatiTube has been brought under the WhiteWater fold.

regulars News. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Industry moves. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Pool DAs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Commercial news . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

Tenders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

Expo news . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

New products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69

Global news. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

Ad index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74

December 2014/January 2015 SPLASH!

7

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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 Managing Director: Simon Grover Managing Director Interpoint Events: Simon Cooper Editor: Chris Maher Phone: 0412 048 639 Email: chrismaher@intermedia.com.au

editorial Summer’s heating up

Contributors: Cal Stanley, Veda Dante Advertising Manager: Karen Jaques Phone: (02) 8586 6135 Email: kjaques@intermedia.com.au

As I write this, I have large fan aimed at my head, a small fan aimed at the processor on my laptop and all the blinds are down. I’m trying desperately to keep the 40 degree heat at bay. I’ve got a big drink of water sitting on my desk and I’m very much looking forward to a swim at the end of the day.

Designer: Ben Akhurst Production Manager: Carly Saillard Head of Circulation: Chris Blacklock For Subscriptions Call: 1800 651 422

So are a lot of other Australians. Some are calling their bank managers right now, working out how to get their very own pool into their backyard. Others are heading to the pool shop to stock up on supplies, knowing their pools will get a workout, while others still are gathering up the grommets and heading to the local aquatic centre to cool down in the company of their neighbours.

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”). 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.

This issue of SPLASH! magazine published by The Intermedia Group Pty Ltd (Intermedia) may contain magazine or subscription; offers, competitions, forms and surveys (Reader Offers) which require you to provide information about yourself, if you choose to enter or take part in them. If you provide information about yourself to Intermedia, Intermedia will use this information to provide you with the products of services you have requested and may supply your information to contractors that help Intermedia to do this. Intermedia will also use your information to inform you of other Intermedia publications, products, services and events. Intermedia may give your information to organisations that are providing special prizes or offers that are clearly associated with the Reader Offer. Unless you tell us not to, we may give your information to other organisations that may use it to inform you about other products, services or events or to give it to other organisations that may use it for this purpose. If you would like to gain access to the information Intermedia holds about you, please contact Intermedia’s Privacy Officer at The Intermedia Group Pty Ltd, PO Box 55, Glebe, NSW 2037.

Copyright © 2014 - The Intermedia Group Pty Ltd.

SPLASH! contains NO advertorial.

Proudly supported by

Hot summers bring with them a lot of problems. But for the pool industry, it’s time to make hay while the sun burns brightly. A lot of Aussies will be wanting a swim.

Chris Maher Editor chrismaher@ intermedia.com.au

Australians of course are renowned for their love of swimming and one young Aussie who’s done more than her fair share is Chloë McCardel. If you were at SPLASH! on the Gold Coast you may have met her on the Lo-Chlor stand, or you may have seen her at the Victorian consumer show earlier in the year. She is an engaging, enthusiastic supporter of our industry as well as an unbelievably determined young woman.

Last year she had to abandon a world record attempt at swimming from Cuba to Florida after she was attacked by a swarm of venomous sea wasps. But this year she was back in the water, fighting off more sea wasps, avoiding sharks, and completing the longest solo, unaided non-stop ocean swim ever undertaken.

After collapsing on the beach in Nassau at the completion of the 126km swim, she was rushed to hospital where she stayed for five days of treatment – not so much for the stings and definitely not for shark bite, but mainly for the sunburn.

It’s a tremendous testament to her courage, endurance and determination.

It’s also a timely reminder that while the sun brings great benefits to our industry and to swimmers, we need to take care, keep hydrated, stay covered and be cool.

Slip, slop, slap, as they say.

This issue’s cover The cover shows an Out From The Blue pool taking full advantage of a spectacular aspect. There is more on perfect placement of swimming pools on page 32.

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.

Members of

Audited Circulation Average Net Distribution Per Issue 5,760 CAB Half Yearly Audit Period ending 30th September 2014

December 2014/January 2015 SPLASH!

9

news

Swimming

Aussie champion makes world’s longest swim Chloë McCardel, the 29-yearold Australian ultra-marathon swimmer well known to the swimming pool and spa industry, has made her way into the record books yet again.

From late on October 20 until the afternoon of October 22 she swam 126 kilometres across Exuma Sound from South Eleuthera Island to Nassau in the Bahamas.

It took her a total of 41 hours and 21 minutes. By doing so, she

Chloë McCardel matching her rhythm with the kayaks

Thumbs up on the way to hospital after swimming 126 kilometres

completed the longest non-stop, unassisted solo ocean swim, measured as the straight-line distance of 124.4 kilometres.

This was not the first time she has attempted such a dangerous and challenging feat – in 2013

her attempt to swim from Cuba to the USA had to be stopped after she was stung by numerous highly toxic box jellyfish.

October’s successful attempt was equally dangerous. She was stung multiple times by more

than a dozen box jellyfish – one of the venomous sea wasp varieties – and also sustained second-degree sunburn and experienced exhaustion and hypothermia. She was hospitalised for five days in Nassau at the conclusion of the swim, mainly to treat the burns but also due to dehydration, exhaustion and to treat the sea wasp venom still in her veins.

Creatures of the deep

“There are different varieties of sea wasps,” says McCardel. “The ones in the Bahamas weren’t the same as the ones in Queensland

Pop goes the easel From November 1 to March 1, the Art Gallery of NSW is exhibiting the most comprehensive selection of pop art ever seen in Australia.

It features 200 works (many never seen here before) by more than 70 of pop’s greatest artists. And for the first time, Australian pop artists will be presented alongside their peers from America, Britain and Europe. Featured artists include Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, Jeff Koons, Brett Whiteley, Martin Sharp and David Hockney, whose fondness for swimming pools is seen here in his Portrait of an Artist. Contact: artgallery.nsw.gov.au/pop

10

SPLASH! December 2014/January 2015

Portrait of an Artist (1972) synthetic polymer paint on canvas © David Hockney

or the ones in Cuba, but they’re extremely painful. It’s like the edge of a hot iron pressing against your skin. Each sting gives ten minutes of intense pain, and most of them got me three times. Also, some tentacles got chopped up in the motor in front of me and so I got stray ones come through in my path.”

After sea wasps stopped her 2013 world record attempt off Cuba, she was nervous about the type of jellyfish she would encounter in the Bahamas.

“We didn’t know if the same type of box jellyfish would be in Bahamas – no one has swum

Sun shining on pool numbers A good October has bolstered swimming pool development application (DA) numbers.

The 12 months up to October 2014 as reported by Cordell show an increase of nine percent compared to the corresponding period up to October 2013. The three months of August, September and October 2014, when compared with the same period in 2013, show numbers up a massive 29 percent. October itself was up 14 per cent.

New South Wales (+33 per cent), South Australia (+16 per cent) and Victoria (+4 per cent) showed gains over the 12 months, while Queensland and Western Australia (-5 per cent) both declined.

Comparison Years-to-October

We continue to remind readers that these numbers are not comprehensive and are only meant to offer a trend indication.

The numbers shown here are likely to be considerably lower than the actual number of pools being constructed – look to the disclaimer at the bottom of this column for more information.

12 months-to-October 2013

12 months-to-October 2014

1500

4

3 1200

3

2

900

2 600

1

1

300

0

Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar April May June July Aug Sept Oct

Approvals by State

12 months-to-October 2013

12 months-to-October 2014

4000

3500

3500

3000

3000

2500

2500

2000

2000 1500

1500

1000

1000

500

500 0

Two-Monthly Comparison

across the Exuma Sound before. by concentrating on rhythm.

No one had even attempted it.

“Day one I was feeling pretty So I was the first person ever out good,” she says. “I wasn’t exhaustthere swimming across it in the ed yet and it was easy to keep middle of the night. And the sea pace. There were kayaks to the wasps are night creatures. left and right stroking with their “The lights had to be turned paddles, so I was relaxing and off so we didn’t attract them. But trying to get into a nice rhythm that meant we couldn’t scout for with them. sharks. So I was digging my hand “I didn’t spend too much into the water, not knowing what time thinking deeply or trying I was going to come up against.” to solve the world’s problems. I She did come up against the had a feed every 30 minutes – so jellyfish, and while the pain was I tried to swim feed-to-feed excruciating, they were not the – breaking it up into smaller more venomous variety she faced intervals in my mind.” in Cuba, and she bravely swam on.

Since the rules forbad her McCardel says that achieving touching the boat or anyone the record and completing the else, she couldn’t put on more swim made her feel redeemed sunscreen. By the second day, after having to call off the sunburn became a serious issue.

Cuba swim.

“I couldn’t reapply sunscreen “I just dropped at the end. and couldn’t address the situaIf you watch the video it looks tion,” she says. “After the first like exhaustion but it’s really night when I got stung by the emotional relief. I’d cleared the jellyfish, I really had the waves of water, followed all the rules and pain and the sunburn, so I wasn’t got this incredible world record comfortable. I just kept ploughthat I would have got in Cuba if ing through, and that gave me it hadn’t been for the jellyfish.” something to think about.”

She is often asked if she will To prepare for such arduous swim Cuba again, but the answer swims, McCardel trains with a is always no, because the same squad in the 25-metre pool at creatures will be there.

Melbourne Grammar School.

“They say the definition of “I do a lot of intense interval madness is doing the same thing work with the squad,” she says.

12 months-to-October 2013 12 months-to-October 2014 again and expecting “About five or six kilometres.

1500 a different result. And I know those jellyfish Then I do longer swims – eight 1200 will still be there.” or ten ks – usually at MSAC at Sea wasps weren’t the only Albert Park. And I also do open 900 creatures she encountered – she water training, or course.” was trailed by a number of sharks.

McCardel was a popular guest 600 But rather than be frightened by at SPLASH! on the Gold Coast them – as most people would tend in July, charming visitors at the 300 to be – she enjoyed their company.

Lo-Chlor stand. She is also 0 “It was exciting,” she byJune The July PoolAug Enclosure Nov says.

Dec “It Jan Feb sponsored Mar April May Sept Oct was in the daytime and they were Company and last year provided only grey nurses which are 12 reef a major attraction at the SPASA nths-to-October 2014 months-to-October 2013 12 months-to-October 2014 sharks, and they were Victoria consumer show, setting 4000really cute.

Where we were swimming it’s set a world record by swimming 3500 just sand so they were non-stop for 16 hours in a swim 3000 curious I think. They were about four or spa.

2500 five metres in front 2000 of me and McCardel plans to set more definitely not threatening. When records with an even longer swim 1500 you’re looking at sand or the in 2015 or 2016. While she is 1000 deep blue ocean for tens of hours keeping the exact details under 500 per day, and then along comes wraps for now, it will be some0 a cute where in Asia July Aug Sept Oct little shark – it was the NSW VIC QLD and will WAbe more SA highlight of my day!” than a 220-kilometre swim.

As she says: “The only way to top crazy is more crazy!”

The long haul Swimming for more than 40 Go to splashmagazine.com. hours non-stop, McCardel au to watch a video of Chloë managed to keep herself in good McCardel’s world record swim. spirits – at least for the first day –

NSW

VIC

QLD

August to October 2013

WA

0

SA

August to October 2014

3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000 500 0

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 as much as 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; councils in some states such as Queensland and Victoria are particularly reluctant. For further information, call Cordell Information on 1800 80 60 60.

December 2014/January 2015 SPLASH!

11

news

Laurie Lawrence doing his famous “five” LTS

Free lessons lapped up Almost 100 swim schools across Australia offered more than 5000 free swimming lessons for chil-

dren aged under five from September 29 to October 3 as part of Learn to Swim Week 2014.

The national initiative was introduced by Laurie Lawrence’s Kids Alive - Do the Five and Poolwerx to celebrate the importance of teaching kids aged under five to swim and to remind all Australians about water safety ahead of the swimming season.

It was launched as new research by Poolwerx showed 48 per cent of children aged under five weren’t receiving official swimming lessons and more than one third (36 per cent) of those who were, weren’t doing so all year round.

The findings also indicated almost three quarters of parents (71 per cent) said they weren’t confident their child could swim

and 40 per cent said their child’s swimming ability was inadequate for their age.

Laurie Lawrence says he was thrilled with the success of the program in its first year as a nationwide initiative and that the importance of water safety education for young children couldn’t be overstressed.

“With nearly half of all Aussie kids aged under five not receiving official swimming lessons, we wanted to do something on a national scale to give our children the opportunity to learn to swim at such an important time of the year,” he says.

Contact: www. learntoswimweek.com.au

Safety

27 portable pool retailers fined In October, NSW Fair Trading and ACCC inspectors visited 436 retailers and found 41 were not complying with the new portable pool regulations.

Since March 30, 2014, a new mandatory safety standard under the Australian Consumer Law has applied to all suppliers of portable pools. This includes sellers on ebay.

“The new Consumer Goods (Portable Swimming Pools) Safety Standard 2013 now requires all portable pools and their packaging to carry warning labels about the active supervision of children and the pools’ appropriate storage when not in use,” says NSW Fair Trading Minister Matthew Mason-Cox .

“For portable pools 300mm or more in height, pool fencing laws apply and consumers should consult with their local council before purchasing this product.”

Mason-Cox said the mandatory standard was introduced to address the drowning risk

Keep informed by subscribing to the free online newsletter.

1. 27 portable pool retailers fined Fair Trading and ACCC inspectors visited 436 NSW retailers and found 41 were not complying with the new portable pool regulations.

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portable pools pose to young children.

Over the past nine months, NSW Fair Trading conducted a series of education and compliance programs to ensure businesses are aware of and complying with the mandatory standards. The first phase of the program saw inspectors visit nearly 350 retail outlets in February. In April, they visited 104 retailers and eight importers/distributors.

As a result of those checks, five traders were each issued with $550 penalty notices and 24 traders received formal warnings due to non-compliance.’

In October, NSW Fair Trading and ACCC inspectors visited a further 118 retailers with portable pools in stock, plus another 318 retailers considered likely to be stocking portable pools.

Of those, 41 traders were non-compliant, 27 traders were issued with 32 $550 penalty notices, 10 traders received formal warnings

and one trader remains under investigation.

Mason-Cox says that going forward retailers, importers and distributors could expect fewer warnings and more penalties if they were caught not carrying the correct warnings.

Professor Danny Cass, Director of Trauma at the Westmead Children’s Hospital, says portable swimming pools provided a source of enjoyment especially in the warm summer months and were increasing in popularity due to low cost and easy set-up.

“Unfortunately, in the last few years, we have seen too many cases of children drowning or near-drowning in a portable pool due to inadequate supervision or lack of a fence,” he says.

“Thankfully, in 2013, fewer children were brought to the hospital due to these incidents.

We encourage the community to continue to be vigilant in and around portable pools.”

Top five online news stories

The most popular online news stories at splashmagazine.com.au were...

2. Peace at last: Alliance and SPRAA join SPASA Australia The SPASA Wars appear to be over after SPRAA merged with SPASA Australia, and the Alliance agreed to join the board to represent their NSW and ACT members.

SPLASH! December 2014/January 2015

3. The most profitable pool products of the future One of the series of video interviews: Matt Kimball talks about international product development in the swimming pool and spa industry.

4. Fire damages fibreglass swimming pool factory A fire at fibreglass swimming pool manufacturer ALT did less damage than first thought thanks to a quick response from fire services.

5. Alliance foresees trouble with mutual recognition NSW pool technicians won’t be able to certify pools, but Queensland techs may be able to cross the border and carry out that very work.

Upcoming events 2015 Jan 22-24

UK Pool & Spa Expo, Birmingham, UK

Jan 27-29

Atlantic City Pool and Spa Show, New Jersey USA

Jan 30-Feb 1 Victorian Consumer Spa & Pool Show, Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre Feb 1-3

Spatex, Coventry, UK

Feb 2-6

Aquatherm, Moscow

Feb 19-21

Forum Piscine, Bologna Italy

Mar 3

SPASA Victoria Golf Day, Kingston Links

Mar 4-7

Piscine Expo, Morocco

Mar 26-28

Aquatherm-Egyptpool 2015, Cairo, Egypt

Mar 26-29

QPS 2015 International Exhibition for Pool & Spa, Doha

May 20-21

Piscine SPLASH! Asia, Marina Bay Sands, Singapore

May 23

SPASA Victoria Gala Dinner, Plaza Ballroom

May 23-24

Consumer Pool Spa and Outdoor Living Expo, RNA Showgrounds, Brisbane

June 13

SPASA Victoria Gala Awards Night, Plaza Ballroom

Jun 21-23

SPLASH! NZ, Auckland

Oct 20-23

Piscina Barcelona

Oct 27-30

Aquanale, Cologne, Germany

2016 Aug 17-18

SPLASH! Pool & Spa Trade Show, Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, Broadbeach

R-410A

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.

December 2014/January 2015 SPLASH!

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news

The $167m GCCEC is Australia’s biggest regional convention centre

Expo News Expos

SPLASH! Gold Coast expands with bigger venue Australasia’s largest swimming pool and spa industry event is about to get even bigger, as the SPLASH! Pool & Spa Trade Show on the Gold Coast moves across the road to the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre (GCCEC).

SPLASH! on the Gold Coast has been held at Jupiters since 2006 when Interpoint Events took over its management from Carol and Kevin Benger.

It is one of Australia’s most successful trade shows and in 2010 it won the Best Australian Show (Trade or Consumer) at the Exhibition & Event Association of Australia (EEAA) Awards and is widely considered the best and largest pool and spa industry trade show in Australasia, as well as the largest dedicated pool and spa trade show in the region.

However, the popularity of the show has seen it bursting at the seams.

“We expanded into one marquee in 2008 and added a second marquee in 2014, but demand for exhibition space continues to grow,” says Simon Cooper, managing director of Interpoint Events.

Cooper says the potential to expand at Jupiters has been exhausted, and while he has been considering this move for some time, the timing is right for 2016.

The change of venue provides the exhibition with 30 per cent more exhibition space and also enables all

exhibitors to be located in the one hall – something that a number of exhibitors had been asking for.

“As well as all being in the one hall, the exhibitors will have easier access and higher ceilings,” says Cooper.

“For visitors, it will mean they can visit all the companies in one place and there will be dedicated meeting places built on the show floor for improved networking,” he says.

“Also, the GCCEC is actually connected to Jupiters via a covered walkway, so it will still be extremely convenient for visitors and exhibitors staying at the casino.”

The 2014 SPLASH! on the Gold Coast was the biggest pool and spa industry trade show ever held in Australia with more than 100 companies showcasing products and services and more than 2000 people attending. Additionally, there were a large number of linked events including the first ever World Aquatic Health Conference held outside the US and the first ever SPASA Australia Awards Gala.

The ninth Gold Coast SPLASH! show will be held on August 17 and 18, 2016 with an anticipated 120 exhibitors and 2500 visitors.

Contact: www.splashexpo.com.au

Expos

Piscine SPLASH! Asia calls for presenters Asia’s leading pool and spa event has begun searching for presenters. The biannual show will be taking place at the iconic Singapore venue Marina Bay Sands on May 20-21, 2015.

The education program at Piscine SPLASH! Asia is a major feature of the event, with the seminars held alongside the exhibition addressing key issues in the pool industry, marketing opportunities and new technologies.

Held every two years, Piscine SPLASH! Asia 2015 will bring together more than 1500 attendees to visit the trade show and hear from local and international speakers. Previous sessions have included water chemistry, landscaping, hydraulics, green technology and business topics such as social media, human resources and sales techniques.

Contact: melanie@intermedia.com.au

At the time of writing, a number of Australian companies were exhibiting at Piscine Global in Lyon, including Leisure Pools, Enviroswim, Riverina Pools and Boss Polymer.

Enviroswim’s Phil Jones says that with the growing demand for alternative water treatment products, they feel the timing is right to expand Europe: “The Lyon Piscine trade show is an obvious platform for our launch.

A distribution hub has been set up in the UK to supply EU market. We are attending the show with the intention of meeting suitable distributors who are interested in partnering our EU market development. We have already received interest from a large distributor who installed their first system last month.”

Leisure Pools’ Greg Ghalaini says this will be their third straight Lyon Show and they believe Europe is a very important growth market for them: “We are pleased with our strong dealer base particularly in Western Europe. We have specific models that we have designed and built for the EU Market, including the Cube which we have on display. We have supplied our European demand for pools from our factory in Brisbane and export them directly to centrally located and established sales yards in Belgium and France. We are continuing our expansion plans for 2015 in other key regions.”

December 2014/January 2015 SPLASH!

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news

Giveaway

Kevin McCloud’s Man Made Home Having successfully crafted an incredible cabin in the woods with his own bare hands, Kevin McCloud is back for his next Man Made challenge.

With trusty Man Friday Will Trickett, McCloud battles the elements to construct his very own perfect beach hut on the English coast. He uncovers amazing building materials in remarkable places, and experiments with novel off-the-grid energy sources.

The project started when the council planners decreed his cabin in the woods from the previous series needed to be “demonstrably” mobile: so he decided to transport the shed down to the beach and convert it into a beach hut.

Kevin McCloud’s Man Made series two DVD is available in ABC shops and online.

Contact: https://shop.abc.net.au

Spa Tech Tip

October is “spa heater element” month. Every October more than double the elements are sold compared to any other month.

This is probably caused by the fact that most spa owners don’t use their spas through the winter months and many will actually shut it down, falsely assuming that a drained spa requires no maintenance.

Unfortunately, any imbalanced water/moisture in the pipes continues its corrosive effect during this time, particularly on electric heater elements.

SPLASH! has a copy of Man Made Home to give away. All you have to do is Like the SPLASH Facebook page and click on the Competition tab.

There will be more information in the free SPLASH! online newsletter, so make sure you’re receiving it.

Manufacturing

ALT back up and working after fire

Ideally, portable spas should never be left empty or turned off.

But if the spa owner wants to do so, its best to ensure the water is perfectly in balance with minimal sanitiser remaining prior to draining.

The heater and pumps should be physically removed from the plumbing and drained/flushed with fresh water, and left disconnected from the plumbing.

If that precaution is taken, then seals may need to be inspected and replaced prior to re-installation, but the heating element is likely to survive.

Contact: Australian Spa Parts Tech Support: 1300 736 025

16

SPLASH! December 2014/January 2015

Fibreglass pools heading out to customers. File image

A fire at Western Australian fibreglass swimming pool manufacturer Aquatic Leisure Technologies’ Welshpool factory in October saw the evacuation of approximately 100 staff and the closure of surrounding roads.

Witnesses say the evacuation was orderly. Noone was injured in the blaze and all employees have been accounted for. Alarms were sounded and black smoke billowed over Welshpool until the fire was extinguished by approximately 40 firefighters and 10 trucks from WA Fire & Emergency Services.

Executive director Lynley Papineau says that after being granted access to the factory to assess the area, they discovered the damage to the production facility was less than first thought.

“The fire was contained to one production hall,” she says. “The office and storage yard have not been affected. What is most important is that no one was injured during the fire and everyone on site was evacuated promptly.”

Papineau says they had a significant number of pools already manufactured and ready for scheduled installation and they continued as planned with minimal impact to their customers.

An investigation is being conducted into the cause of the fire as well as a full damage assessment on the area concerned. An environmental assessment has been completed with no impact reported.

The office building located next to the factory has been re-opened and business is proceeding as usual. ALT’s nine metropolitan display centres were unaffected.

Director Ben Beale praised Fire & Emergency Services which brought the blaze under control.

“It is a credit to the firemen that the blaze was contained and we can’t thank them enough for their efforts,” he says.

He also thanked friends, suppliers and the swimming pool industry for their encouragement and assistance.

news

Training

Poolranger hosts Maytronics Global news US-based pool and backyard equipment wholesaler Pool Corp has reported eight per cent growth in earnings in the third quarter as consumers spend more on luxury items such as outdoor lighting and patio tiles.

The company reported earnings of $US34.8 million in the third quarter, up from $US32.3 million during the same quarter a year ago. Net sales were up six per cent to $US615.5 million.

FIJA Group has acquired LMP (Le Matériel Piscine) a Benelux-based 43-yearold swimming pool equipment distributor with a staff of 20 people headquartered in Zaventem near Brussels.

A Californian woman who slept while her two toddlers downed in the pool at a friend’s house where she was staying has been sentenced to four years in prison.

Tassie Anne Behrens, 28, pleaded guilty in July to a pair of felony child endangerment charges – but not actually causing the death of her children. Behrens was under the influence of methamphetamine when the accident happened.

During the night her two-year-old son, Jason, woke her up and asked where his 16-monthold sister Harley was, but Behrens fell back asleep. Both children were found in the pool in the morning. Harley was dead and Jason later died in hospital.

18

SPLASH! December 2014/January 2015

Poolranger recently held a trade night to educate their customers on robotic pool cleaners.

“We had a great turnout,” says Poolranger managing director Michael Griffin.

“And there was great feedback from our customers.”

Chris Papa, business director of Maytronics says he was proud to be partnering with Poolranger who is also distributing Dolphin Swash Ranger and Echo Clear Glass filter media.

Papa says the two companies share many business principles including supplying quality product and putting their customers first.

“We believe Michael and his team have a very strong and loyal following from the NSW market which also assist us greatly in promoting the Dolphin brand within NSW. What’s even more interesting is John Griffin, the founder of Poolranger, was the first person to bring the Barracuda suction cleaner into Australia way back in the early 1980s. This is a sign of the times as one of the largest distributors in Australia has now shifted focus to the Dolphin robotic cleaner revolution.”

Contact: Poolranger Free Call 1300 731 905; (02) 9979-3490.

Michael Griffin and Chris Papa

Asia

Malaysian association spreading its wings

MSPA President Chew Soo Ngee

The Malaysian Swimming Pool Association (MPSA) is opening itself up to international membership, following a revamp of its website.

“The association is coming along,” says president Chew Soo Ngee who recently visited the SPLASH! office in Glebe. “Most members are too busy making money to get directly involved in running the association, but we’re trying to encourage them to become more involved.”

The association has recently revamped the website and appointed an online co-ordinator to help with promotions and media relations.

With 40 members, the association has most of the pool builders in Malaysia on board, but Soo Ngee believes there may

be another 10 or 20 builders of varying sizes still to join.

And now that the website has been renewed, they are looking for international supplier members from overseas including Australia, Europe and the US, as well as builder members from other Southeast Asian countries.

“Now that we have advertising on the website it is a good opportunity to reach the trade and consumers. And you have to be a member to advertise,” he says.

The MPSA will also have a stand at Piscine SPLASH! Asia (Singapore, May 20-21) where they will be promoting the association and their new website, as well as networking with the industry.

Contact: www.mspa.org.my

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news

Industry moves

New GM for Spa Electrics Spa Electrics has appointed Mark Swindon as the new General Manager for sales and marketing.

He has considerable experience with consumer markets in Australia and Asia. He attended his first SPLASH! Show on the Gold Coast this July and has spent the time since getting to know the Spa Electrics operation and meeting customers.

He says the swimming pool and spa market is very interesting with many players of various configurations and areas of expertise.

“I look forward to learning as much as I can about it and experiencing the imminent busy season. I am committed to making a contribution to the market and we at Spa Electrics look forward to a bright and progressive future,” he says.

Industry moves

Industry moves

Craig Catterall

Shane Healy

Alan Keys

New appointments at Pool Systems Craig Catterall has joined Pool Systems as Queensland account manager.

“With 17 years industry experience, Craig’s business development skills and technical knowledge will ensure that Pool Systems’ customer have the best opportunity for growth and servicing their own customers,” says Pool Systems commercial manager Anthony Ramsay.

Shane Healy, formerly of Zodiac, has also joined Pool Systems in the role of New South Wales branch manager. Ramsay says Healy has also been in the industry for 17

years and brings a wealth of business development knowledge to the team. “Shane will lead the restructuring of the Niagara New South Wales business as we improve and expand our customer offering.”

Alan Keys has joined Pool Systems in the role of Gold Coast branch manager.

“Alan has a breadth of industry experience from both customer and supplier perspectives,” says Ramsay. “He has great knowledge of the Gold Coast market coupled with excellent business development skills.”

BioLab has appointed two new members of staff.

Mark Glover is business development manager for New Zealand, assisting Robert Wischott in selling Hayward pool equipment.

He joins the company with more than 20 years’ project experience in business-to-business solutions with particular skills in business planning and sales strategy. He enjoys the outdoor life and is an awarded coastguard and a keen sailor.

Marketing

A lifetime of memories to entice pool buyers SPASA Victoria has launched a new industry television advertisement entitled A Lifetime of Memories which will air on commercial networks in the lead up to the 2015 consumer pool and spa show.

It unashamedly tugs at heartstrings, aiming to appeal to the nostalgia of the simple joys of being in the water as a child. It is particularly aimed at young parent, a prime pool buying market segment.

Brendan Watkins says they want the consumer to feel as though owning a pool is not just a decorative water feature, but an arena to inspire and create lifelong memories.

The advertising campaign will consist of extensive pre-expo airing and will be available for members to re-edit and use for their own campaigns on metropolitan or regional TV as

well as other digital media such as websites or in-store promotions.

Chad Nicolle is joining the BioLab head office in Adelaide. He is an experienced customer service professional having worked in local government, insurance and most recently with Chemtura’s urethanes division. He will work alongside Lisa Cheong as a customer service specialist.

SPLASH! offers condolences to family and friends of Peter Schmidt of Advanced Leak Detection, who sadly passed away in November. He was a long established, well respected industry stakeholder.

To see the ad go to splashmagazine.com. au and click on the Video link.

December 2014/January 2015 SPLASH!

21

news

The Lincoln office and warehouse in Braeside, Victoria

In Brief BioGuard has reported record attendances at their six Pool Schools held across Australia and New Zealand during 2014. More than 350 pool service and retail staff attended the two-day schools which included product and water chemistry training, marketing tips, networking events and an introduction to the new Certificate III and IV courses. This is the biggest turnout in recent history. The schools, part of their H2Know initiative and will be a regular part of the BioGuard calendar.

Nelson Bay (NSW) builder Polar Pools has been sold to Jason McLuckie.

The new company will be known as McLuckie Formwork and Reinforcing Pty Ltd Trading as Polar Pools. Norm Leth has decided to retire after 30 years of building award winning swimming pools and Cameron Leth who designed the pools has opened a gym in Minyama but still plans to keep his hand in designing swimming pools from time to time. The new Polar Pools business address is 5 Giles Road, Seaham, NSW 2324, phone 0419 415 677.

UK media group Informa Plc is buying US trade show operator Hanley Wood Exhibitions, organiser of IPSPE, for $AU435m raised through a share placement.

Hanley Wood and Informa will enter into a long-term partnership agreement for Hanley Wood to continue providing editorial and marketing support for HW Exhibitions’ events.

22

SPLASH! December 2014/January 2015

Distribution

Listening helps Lincoln reach 40 years Leading swimming pool equipment distributor, Lincoln Pool Equipment, is celebrating its 40th year in business.

“A key to our success has been listening to our customers,” says owner Lindsay Hartshorne.

“Based on what they say, we develop the services and products they want and need, including a strong technical advice and support offering, which in turn helps us grow our market share.”

The business that started way back in 1974 by Bob Sharp and Matty Matsin has evolved significantly over the past 40 years.

Named after Sharp’s home street, Lincoln started life as Lincoln Leisure Distributors in a small White Street warehouse in Braeside, Victoria.

There it remained until the late 1990s when it moved to Tarnard Drive, Braeside providing much needed extra space.

In 2002 Sharp and Matsin retired and the business moved into a new phase of its life. It was bought by Hartshorne who came from a long career working in general management with multinational companies such as ACI, Castrol and Amcor, and was looking to make good use of his experience by growing a business of his own.

He fulfilled that ambition as Lincoln expanded so successfully it was forced to relocate twice to accommodate extra stock – and already the current Melbourne head office and 3000 square metre warehouse is at capacity.

In 2012 Lincoln established a New South Wales office and warehouse in Seven Hills, providing additional storage space and immediate supply to the Sydney market. Lincoln has recently added additional sales staff in Seven Hills to keep up with demand and also to service the Queensland customer base.

“We changed the business name to Lincoln Pool Equipment in 2007,” says Hartshorne. “This was to better reflect the products and markets we were operating in. At the same time, we changed our strategy and became a house of brands – a one stop shop for customers to purchase what they

needed, rather than just one brand of pump, filter or chlorinator.”

Following this strategy, Lincoln has established and developed a number of exclusive ranges and products for the Australian market.

“We currently sell almost every OEM brand available on the market, and have the largest range of spares for pool equipment in Australia,” says Hartshorne.

“In 2007 we gained exclusive distribution of The PoolCleaner which is now the most popular turbine pool cleaner on the Australian market.

In 2009 we signed an exclusive agreement to represent Waterway Products USA’s range of pool products. Then in 2013 we picked up a Stanley licence, giving us the exclusive supply of the Stanley Pool-tec range of pool tools. The latest deal was earlier this year, when we became a distributor for the SR Smith range of pool deck equipment.”

The company also has its own range of Lincoln-branded products including pool hoses, replacement cartridges, chlorinators, pumps and filters. The spare parts component of Lincoln’s business is also significant, with more than 8000 line items. This has been further enhanced over recent years with packaging of spare parts in plastic hanger bags with name, part number and bar coding.

Additionally, the product and price catalogue has more than 200 pages of product listings and hundreds of photographs of products to aid identification for ordering.

While the growth so far has been impressive, the future is looking equally good.

“Our future growth centres on the expansion and acquisition of new exclusive products, some of which will come under the Stanley brand,” he says. “We also plan further expansion into other states, given the successful business base established in New South Wales, which also services the Queensland market.”

A commercial division is also being established to supply a range of products for the large number of commercial pools along the east coast of Australia.

Contact: www.linc.com.au

news

Franchising

In Brief Waterway Plastics in the US has recalled their Designer Pro Series Suction Covers installed in certain hot tub models produced by Catalina Spas, Four Winds Spas, Dimension One Spas and Sunrise Spas from June 2011 to June 2013, due to the risk of entrapment if they become dislodged.

They are black and silver, round-shaped drains stamped with the number 640-52XX S on the outside edge of the plastic. While spa and parts distributors don’t believe these products made it into the local market, if you are in any doubt contact www.waterwayplastics.com. You can also check the recall advice at the QuickLinks tab at splashmagazine. com.au.

There are still spots available in government subsidised programs for the Pool and Spa Service Technician courses. The application for the Workforce Development Fund offers RPL through a grant available to SPASA Australia members. It can reduce the cost of CPP31212 Certificate III in Pool and Spa Service from $1800 to only $594, and CPP41312 Certificate IV in Pool and Spa Service from $2000 to only $660. Email wayne.bell@traxiontraining.com.au or call 0419 937 521 for more information. In NSW there is also the Smart and Skilled VET program providing government-subsidised training for Certificate III. Call 1800 802 482 or email training@spasa.org. au for more information.

24

SPLASH! December 2014/January 2015

New franchise code of conduct due in January The new Franchising Code of Conduct is set to be implemented on January 1, 2015.

The code includes increased enforcement powers, with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) able to issue infringement notices of up to $8500 and seek penalties up to $51,000 in the Federal Court for contraventions.

ACCC deputy chair Dr Michael Schaper says the new code will provide flexibility and balance in dealing with breaches at both ends of the severity spectrum.

“Infringement notices will allow us to move swiftly to deal with what we believe to be breaches of the code, while the court penalties will provide more teeth in deterring rogue operators,” he says.

“The changes are likely to go unnoticed by franchisors and franchisees who do the right thing. However, the new powers are likely to play an important role in achieving compliance with the code.”

He says that while there is no moratorium period, they will apply their discretion in deciding whether to take enforcement action.

Schaper says the ACCC will focus on particularly serious conduct, including breaches of the “key pillars” of the revised code.

“This is likely to include failure to act in good faith, failure to provide a disclosure document, refusal to attend mediation and unlawful termi-

nation of a franchise agreement. Fundamentally, good faith will require both parties to a franchise agreement to remain loyal to the contract they have entered into. Acting for an ulterior purpose, or in a way that undermines or denies the other party the benefits of the contract are examples of conduct that may qualify as bad faith.”

The Franchise Council of Australia (FCA) has welcomed the release of the code.

The Labor government instigated the Wein review in January 2013, and FCA general manager, Kym De Britt, says they have worked collaboratively with both the previous and current governments during the consultation process.

He says the review is of great interest to franchisors and other stakeholders across the country.

“The Franchising Code of Conduct review and subsequent update has been a lengthy process,” he says. “During that time, both governments have sought input from across the sector. It is pleasing to see that much of the contribution made by our members has been taken into account and is reflected in the update.”

He says franchisors and franchisees are best placed to provide input into regulation that will ensure the Australian franchise sector remains a healthy and ethical place to do business.

Contact: go to splashmagazine.com.au for a QuickLink to the new code.

Franchising

Jim’s jumping up The mobile pool shop division of the Jim’s Group has now reached 70 franchised businesses with more than 12 new sites established over the past 12 months.

Brett Blair, divisional owner of Jim’s Pool Care believes they are now maturing as a business model and offering value in the market place.

“We have extremely high franchisee satisfaction within the group and are building a strong positive team culture,” he says. “I think sectors of the franchising industry are stepping up to improve the value offered to their franchisees and that’s what we are doing well”.

He also says that Jim’s Pool Care has developed key strategic relationships with leading pool industry brands such as AstralPool, Davey, Sunbather, Maytronics, Daisy and Focus.

“These companies form the backbone of our ‘partners in business’ model. Good suppliers are key to our success. We need them to provide great training, good reliable products and excellent customer service and warranty

for when things go wrong. I feel lucky to have a strong team of motivated suppliers on board at the moment.”

Overall, the Jim’s Group has approximately 3300 franchisees across four countries and is looking for strong growth in 2014/2015. They’ve recently added three new divisions – Shade Sails, Mobile Phones and Window Tinting – and plan at least two more divisions in the near future.

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feature

Clark Hale, president of Hayward Industries

For the consumer, convenience is king In this interview from the 2014 SPLASH! on the Gold Coast show, Clark Hale, president of Hayward Industries Inc, talks about the future of the swimming pool industry, the place of Australia in the global market and the innovations that are likely to drive growth over the next few years.

“We spend a lot of time focussing our innovation efforts on how to enhance the total pool experience,” says Hale.

“And so many of our most recent investments really are about how we enhance the convenience of owning a pool so the home owner can enjoy the investment they’ve made.”

When asked about the development of specifically environment friendly or eco-efficient products, he says that consumers are paying more attention to environmental considerations, but for the products to be adopted they usually have to come with one additional benefit such as convenience or a lower total cost of ownership.

“So while we do pay attention to environmental considerations, they’re typically a by-product of some other innovation that we’re providing.”

Hale was impressed at SPLASH! by the number of manufacturers providing and developing salt chlorination systems – a form of disinfection historically popular in Australia, but only now gaining real traction in the US. “In the US they now have become much more prevalent and in fact, the majority of new construction is done with a salt water chlorination system. The challenge for us as a manufacturer is how do we convert the installed pool base and the new consumer over, and again we have the same kind of message: that we believe 26

SPLASH! December 2014/January 2015

a salt chlorination system will enhance the pool experience from a convenience standpoint and also the comfort of the water. Also we’re focussing our message around how competitive and cost effective it is.”

Looking towards the recovery in the US and globally, he is cautiously positive.

“The US market continues to improve and recover from the financial crisis and many of the factors are pointing in a very favourable direction for new pool construction. However it’s been a very modest recovery and we’re not planning on a very rapid recovery to the pre2008 or 2007 levels.

“Ultimately we believe all the economic factors with new home construction and new pool construction will get us back there, but with my planning horizon I’m not counting on it right now.”

The global market and Australia

As the leader of a major international manufacturer and supplier, Hale keeps a finely tuned ear to the global market.

“The international market is very attractive to Hayward,” he says.

“Historically we’ve made investments around the world and we find that even with the headwinds from certain events, the overall improvement of quality of life around the world creates beneficial market conditions for pool ownership.

“We’ve made significant investments here in Australia and part of that is that it’s a well-developed market with a large installed base, but on top of that, it’s a much more sophisticated market: swimming’s part of the national culture and there’s a building community that’s

willing to embrace new technologies.”

He says that profitability along the chain is vital for a successful manufacturing and supply operation.

“The sign of a healthy industry is when the participants in the industry are profitable.

That’s why at Hayward we work very closely with our dealers, the builders, the retailers and servicers, to help enhance the ability to communicate the message about the enjoyment of owning a pool as well as the ease and convenience of owning a pool.

“So we focus our innovation efforts around that message.”

This was the first time Hale had come to Australia, and he timed it to coincide with the national gathering at SPLASH! on the Gold Coast.

“I joined Hayward a little under two years ago and it’s been my objective to visit all our international locations, and I finally got around to making the long haul to Australia.

“It’s been a rewarding trip, both from interacting with our team here and also attending the show. The show has really impressed upon me the advanced level of sanitisation that’s embraced in the Australian market, whether it’s UV, ozone or salt chlorination. You can see the large number of competitors and manufacturers in that space.

“It’s a well-attended show, it’s a great location – so I’m enjoying it very much.” ■ Other interviews in this series include Ian Mewett of Compass Pools; Matt Kimball of Pentair; David Sizelove of Aquatherm Industries (p29 this edition); and Tom Lachocki of the NSPF.

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feature

David Sizelove president & CEO of Aquatherm Industries

Solar veteran discusses pool heating

I

n another interview from our series of talks from SPLASH! 2014, Aquatherm sells about 100,000 solar collectors per year. While strip swimming pool solar industry veteran, David Sizelove president and matting sells by the square metre, their product sells in modules which CEO of Aquatherm Industries, discusses how he became involved in are on average three square metres in size. While 30 per cent of their the industry, and where it is heading now, both here and overseas. sales are export, only about three per cent comes into Australia at “You know, back in the 70s and 80s we grew up with gas shortages present. Central America, South America and Mexico are their biggest and things like that,” says Sizelove. “So I always had an interest in growth markets at present, especially with resort pools and also for alternative energy. I joined the industry in 1981 which was really right solar hot water systems. after the Arab oil embargo and Three Mile Island, knowing that there should be a different energy future for all of us. My interest in renewaCompetition heating up bles went back to those days.”

Heat pumps are starting to market themselves as a competitive He came to SPLASH! because Australia is a growing market for product to solar, but Sizelove says that in the US you only really find solar pool heating, and to support Solartech who have been the local them in a crescent shape between the East Coast and the Gulf Coast distributors of Aquatherm products since 2009. where there is a humid climate.

“The United States contains roughly “Heat pumps work well when you have half of the world’s pools, but the rest high humidity. In a very dry climate they of them are in areas such as Australia, don’t work very well. And if areas have “Most pools aren’t heated Europe, South Africa and Central and high electricity rates, they’re not a very South America. But this has been a really good alternative. In the States, solar is the to begin with - we’re selling growing market – Australians are extremeprimary way to heat a swimming pool. It’s against a cold pool.” ly concerned about the use of energy and the most cost effective way. But if solar’s pollution, and my products offset both of not feasible – it doesn’t face the right those. Especially with residential pools, we direction, the roof is too cut up – a heat see a real increase in the market potential.” pump is probably the next best alternative.”

Aquatherm products date back to the late 1960s in the US. Sizelove says he believes environmental considerations are extremely “When we took over the company in 1989 and started looking at important when people choose solar. international markets, the first place we looked was Europe,” he says.

“Most pools aren’t heated to begin with. So we’re not really selling Most of the European pools at the time were commercial and against a heated pool, we’re selling against a cold pool. But when very few had solar made from had polypropylene – the product people call us they’ve made a decision to heat their pool, and the Aquatherm was selling. environmental impact comes into it. An average gas pool heater is a “They were mat strip systems made from EPDM – which has issues 400,000BTU unit. That’s enough to heat four homes. So it’s a tremenwith chlorinated pools and chemicals and things like that,” he says. dous amount of CO2 that’s generated.

“We went over to introduce polypropylene rigid collectors to the “And just because a heat pump is dissipating air doesn’t mean it marketplace. Today, there are no mat collectors sold there. The same in doesn’t need electricity to run, and that comes from a power plant the US – strip matting doesn’t exist today.” which uses coal, or could be nuclear or natural gas.”

Although strip matting was still used here, Australia was an entirely Sizelove says he enjoys coming to Australia to participate in different market.

SPLASH! and thinks it’s a great show and a real social event. He is “The only reason strip matting still exists today in Australia is they also impressed with the comradery evident in the local industry. had made the switch to a different material that was resistant to pool “It’s far closer here than we see in the rest of the world, the people chemicals. So the market was distinctly different here to any place else are very dedicated and swimming pools are considered a real fixture.” in the world. But it’s also a very good market for the product we sell, especially for commercial pools. Our collectors are moduled, they don’t Other interviews in this series include Clark Hale, president of Hayward have to be assembled on site and those sales are increasing here. But Industries Inc (on page 26), Ian Mewett, retiring founder of Compass Pools; I don’t see the strip market going away entirely in Australia, simply Matt Kimball, global director of product management at Pentair; and Tom because you guys did adopt a different material here that is resistant to Lachocki, CEO of the National Swimming Pool Foundation (NSPF). All pool chemicals.” interviews can also be viewed on the Video tab at splashmagazine.com.au December 2014/January 2015 SPLASH!

29

feature

Pricing for profit

By Cal Stanley

W

hat is profit? In its simplest form profit is what you have left from the proceeds of your sales after deduction of all the costs of running your business for a given period of time. Most of us think of profit or loss as the end result of a battle between sales and costs but it is not really that simple.

Profit is very important because after all, that is why we all work damn hard in our businesses. Without profit we would be better off on the beach every day.

How can you increase profit?

In broad terms by: 1. An increase in prices while keeping costs the same.

2. An increase in sales volume while keeping prices and overheads the same.

3. Keeping prices the same while cutting costs.

In practice numerous variations and combinations may be used.

An increase in sales volume will not necessarily lead to an increase in profit unless your product is priced correctly. In fact you could very well find yourself working harder and harder with even less profit. We all keep, or should keep, our costs to a minimum and I am sure you all try to increase your sales but how many pool builders price pools correctly?

Many years ago a multi-millionaire businessman told me: “As long as your product and level of service is of a high standard you will never go out of business through charging too much.”

History shows that you can and likely will go out of business if you fail to charge enough for your product or service or if you fail to deliver a quality product.

Lowering prices for more sales may give less profit When businesses start getting into financial difficulty, often the first thing they do is “chase cash flow” or in other words they drop prices with the aim of attracting more sales.

This is exactly what a medium sized business selling in-ground vinyl liner pools in Western Australia did about nine years ago. They offered discounts to get more business, and they offered even bigger discounts if customers would pay the entire contract sum up front (illegal under WA consumer law).

30 SPLASH! December 2014/January 2015

Very soon they were chasing their tails in a spiral that went inevitably down the gurgler within 12 months – because they had given away all the profit in their contracts.

If you want to increase profits by increasing sales then don’t do it by discounting. Find some other way such as offering a better service, selling harder, changing your advertising etc – but DO NOT sell at a lower price!

Let’s look at a simple example and see what happens if you do.

Suppose business has been dropping and you are now only selling 50 pools a year at an average price of $40,000 each with an average gross profit per pool of $9000. Suppose also your total overheads are $430,000 p.a. and due to long term commitments and legal requirements you can’t seem to reduce them any further. A look at the figures below shows that your business has fallen very close to the breakeven point. You are now earning only $1666 every month. Not enough to live on!

Sales: (50 pools @ $40,000) = $2,000,000 Direct cost: (50 pools @ $31,000) = 1,550,000 Gross profit: 450,000 Overheads: 430,000 Net Profit: 20,000 Cash flow is drying up and your creditors are mounting, you are now working more for less so you decide that if you reduce your price by 10 per cent you should sell an extra 20 pools and the extra cash flow this will generate will solve all your problems. What really happens is that you may indeed increase your sales to $2,520,000 p.a. but your direct costs will rise to $2,170,000 and – assuming that you can keep overheads from increasing – you now have turned your miserly $20,000 profit into an $80,000 loss! You have worked your bum off building the extra pools so you can lose a further $100,000. You are now broke and out of business!

Sales: (70 pools @ $36,000) = $2,520,000 Direct cost: (70 pools @ $31,000) = 2,170,000 Gross profit: 350,000 Overheads: 430,000 Net Loss: (-80,000)

Using the same example above, assume you were to increase your price by 10 per cent and in doing so managed to sell only 40 pools: Sales: (40 pools @ $44,000) = $1,760,000 Direct costs: (40 pools @ $31,000) = $1,240,000 Gross profit: 520,000 Overheads (still the same): 430,000 Net Profit: 90,000 Still not making a fortune but if you sold those 40 pools 15 per cent higher the profit would be $154,000 demonstrating that reduced sales at a higher price can be better than increased sales at a lower price.

“If you want to increase profits by increasing sales then don’t do it by discounting.”

Should you ever sell at a discount?

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My answer is, in the pool building business almost never.

Most businesses that sell products at a discount either have a large product range and discount only some of it; they discount for short periods of time only or discount some items and raise others. Either way can encourage new and repeat custom to the business.

Unfortunately we only have one product to sell and because of the long life of our product, repeat business is a minor part of overall sales. Selling a pool at a reduced price will only benefit one person – the customer and the chances of him coming back for another pool soon enough is rather slim. Therefor as a rule, I believe pool builders should not discount at all.

Discounting to meet a competitor’s price is acceptable only if it will result in an additional sale over and above that number you have budgeted for at normal profit margins.

Discount it in place of a normal sale and it will cost you money. If discounting to meet your competitors becomes a habit or a general policy you may soon find you are selling more pools at a discount than at normal prices and your profit will suffer even more.

‘One swim leaves you feeling calm, nourished, rejuvenated and revitalised.

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TH E

Selling at a profit

REWARD YOUR BODY

WITH E VER Y

Even had you discounted only 5 per cent and in doing so were able to sell an extra 10 pools you would still lose $10,000 for the year. To just break even with a discount of 10 per cent you would have had to sell and build an additional 36 pools and with the discount at 5 per cent you would have to sell an extra 12 pools. Would you work that much harder and still not make a profit? Would you be able to do it without increasing the overheads further? Could you do it without further advertising?

It is pretty clear that reducing prices is not the way out of trouble.

A DIVISION OF

Real results for every business will vary but this does demonstrate that it may well be easier to increase profit by selling slightly less at a higher price than by seeking volume at lower prices Never try to compete on price as this is a sure way to shrink profits. Rather spend time looking for ways to build a better pool, to give a better service to your customers and charge a higher price for it.

I guarantee you will be delighted with the result. ■ Cal Stanley draws on his 30 years’ success in pool construction, having run Neptune Pools in WA with a 50 per cent quotation-to-contract conversion ratio, usually winning the jobs at the highest price.

December 2014/January 2015 SPLASH!

31

This Total Concept design makes the most of its brilliant bayside location

Position,

position,

position

By Veda Dante

Photography by Glenn Weiss

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T

here are so many factors that come into play when determining where to site a new swimming pool that it’s easy to overlook vital information. At best it can blow the budget; at worst it can result in council penalties brought on by breaches in building bylaws.

Failure to factor in planning controls or soil conditions can quickly turn a dream project into a monumental headache.

We spoke with five industry professionals to gain the benefit of their experience and expertise.

The most unlikely places

SPASA Life Achievement Award recipient Cal Stanley has more than 30 years of pool building experience in the Australian pool and spa industry. Today, in “retirement”, he runs a consultancy and training business and can be found on the international swimming pool circuit where he discusses everything from best practice to advanced pool hydraulics.

“I think I can safely say that concrete pools can be located in places where you would be unlikely to try to put any other type of pool,” he says.

“For example, I have built many pools right on a property boundary, where one or more walls of the pool serve as the footing or foundation for part of a house; and others that are suspended above a garage or on the top floor of a house.

“These unusual pool locations are normally predetermined by the house owner and his or her architect, and they are sited for the way they can be integrated into and with the construction of the house.”

Many clients will want a pool to be visible from within the house so they can supervise young children while they’re cooking or entertaining. However, Stanley deems this as “not good thinking as young children should be supervised from within the pool enclosure not from the house where other things will distract too easily.”

The real reason for making the pool visible from the house, he says, is that water is so enticing.

“It has a calming, relaxing effect and when in the foreground of a great view can be quite spectacular,” he says. “Views are very important and should be capitalised on whenever possible.”

An important siting consideration is that the pool will be warmer when it gets more sun and when sheltered from the prevailing winds.

Where possible, a pool should be kept away from trees or large shrubs as leaf litter either falling or being blown into the pool requires extra maintenance time and cost.

“A pool can also end up in perpetual shade from nearby trees, which will lead to colder water and increased heating costs,” he says.

“It’s not advisable to locate a pool too close to a tree that your client wants to retain,” he says. “Trees with lateral roots can place pressure on the pool and damage pipe work in later years. They can also be destabilised by the removal of roots, rendering them at risk of falling over in high winds and storms.

This Argo design shows excellent visual integration between the pool and living areas.

The ability to build right on the boundary is one of the benefits of concrete pool construction according to Neptune Pools’ Cal Stanley

December 2014/January 2015 SPLASH! 33

Photography by Glenn Weiss

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This Argo design places the pool at the end of the garden, creating a feature and increasing the visual size of the space.

“After all this,” he says, “the reality for most pool purchasers today is that they have little choice of location left.

With building blocks getting smaller and smaller, often the pool will be installed in the only available space left.”

The relationship with the property

Landscape architect and swimming pool designer Peter Glass of Peter Glass & Associates believes that a critical design component when siting a residential pool is to establish a strong relationship with the dwelling and its surrounding environment.

“This works on many levels,” he says. “With the former relating to visibility of (for safety and enjoyment purposes) and connection to the main informal living/ outdoor entertaining areas; and with the latter relating to general site context, topography and views.”

For example, on a smaller to medium-sized property, Glass will often site the pool closer to the boundary in order to maximise garden and lawn areas between the house and pool, providing the impression that the property is larger than it actually is.

“The pool becomes the water view and a water feature to swim in,” he says. “This can be further accentuated through the incorporation of feature walls and water features.”

By comparison, Glass says that pools sited on larger properties or acreage are more likely to be located closer to the residence as an extension of the informal living areas.

34 SPLASH! December 2014/January 2015

“This is preferable especially where extensive water or bushland views are available and a direct connection between the pool and the view beyond can be achieved, thus extending the water views into the property or giving the appearance of the pool dropping into bushland,” he says.

This affect can be further accentuated through the incorporation of glass walls or negative edges.

Glass says that every site and orientation is unique and every client’s requirements and budget are very different, so any advice should serve as a general guideline only.

For blocks with steep slopes, restrictive access to gardens and entertaining areas can be improved by incorporating a pool at house level (or slightly lower) and in direct relationship with informal living areas.

“This not only increases resident’s access to level entertaining areas but can also save on excavation costs and therefore has a minimal impact on the existing topography,” says Glass.

“In addition, the change in level is accentuated by creating a ‘tree tops’ feeling, with the pool being suspended mostly above ground level, which is emphasised through the use of a negative or glass edge.”

Another key design component Glass flags for pool siting is context, which often has a direct correlation to micro-climate, exposure to the elements and existing geological conditions (such as rocky terrain), and location to significant features or protected trees.

“High wind exposure can affect evaporation and hence water loss and heat loss, apart from also making

Pool siting tips Be aware of council and other authority regulations and requirements from the outset.

Consider physical aspects such as sun and shade requirements and prevailing winds.

Consider noise from neighbours, nearby roads, schools or playgrounds.

Make the most of potential views from the pool.

The owners are likely to spend more time looking at the pool than actually swimming in it, so think carefully about the view of the pool.

Easements and covenants may affect the location of a pool.

Avoid building over underground services such as sewer, stormwater, electric, gas and water supply.

Although adults should always be in the pool enclosure when supervising children swimming, having a view of the pool from key points in the house (such as the kitchen and entertainment areas) may be additionally helpful to see if children are trying to gain access to the pool.

Avoid siting pools near large trees as lateral roots can place pressure on the pool and damage pipe work over the years.

For blocks with steep slopes, restrictive access to level garden and entertaining areas can be improved by incorporating a pool at house level (or slightly lower) and in direct relationship with informal living areas.

On a small to medium-sized property, consider siting the pool closer to the boundary in order to maximise garden and lawn areas between the house and pool. This also gives the impression of the property being larger than it is.

Determine the soil conditions that may be encountered during excavation. This will not only influence the costs of excavation and backfill but may also determine whether or not such costs will be included in the contract as part of the contract sum or as a Provisional Sum item. In some areas and locations a geophysical survey may be necessary.

December 2014/January 2015  SPLASH!  35

Photography by Glenn Weiss

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Even a small space can benefit from a wellplanned swimming pool, when combined with improvements to the home such as this giant window into the living room on one side and the vertical garden on the other.

the pool unpleasant to use,” he says. “Rock close to the surface can substantially add to the excavation cost, although it can offset some expenses by negating the requirement for piering below ground level.

“On downward sloping blocks, the pool can also be used to act as a retaining wall. Another contributing factor can be visibility from neighbouring properties, which will impact on privacy. Provisions for screen planting or feature walls as well as careful siting can address this.”

Fencing issues

Right: Not only is this Neptune pool built right to the boundary, it also forms part of the home’s construction

Council regulations for siting the pool fencing can significantly impact on the visual appearance of a swimming pool and is therefore an important consideration.

“For sites where the ground slopes away from the house, locating the pool 300mm below the level of adjoining living and entertaining areas can dramatically reduce the visibility of the pool fence,” says Glass.

“Alternatively, on smaller properties, by raising the pool by 800mm to 900mm above ground level and incorporating a weir cascade to the side facing the residence, a beautiful water feature can be created that negates the need of a pool fence for the majority of the pool length. This also creates a more direct interface to the residence.”

While Glass says there are approximately 20,000 existing pools in New South Wales that have legally implemented such design features, the state government has made it difficult for new pools to be built in this way. This is an ongoing issue discussed previously

36 SPLASH! December 2014/January 2015

Are You Wasting Time Testing Pool and Spa Water?

“It takes me only 60 seconds to do 9 different tests.”

If you are cleaning test tubes, crushing tablets or waiting for reagents to react then the answer is probably yes. That’s the old way of doing things.

in SPLASH!, and will be discussed again over the coming months.

“Peter Glass and Associates has been battling the NSW Government since last year to have the law rescinded, and we have recently received a supporting legal opinion from one of Australia’s top barristers,” he says.

Services

The location of easements, covenants and services such as main sewer lines can also impact on the location of a swimming pool. It is vital to be aware of their location.

“However the presence of a sewer main line does not mean that a pool cannot be installed,” says Glass. “It just means that an added cost needs to be factored in for the encasement of the sewer.”

Local council planning controls including local environmental plans (LEPs) and development control plans (DCPs) provide detailed planning and design guidelines that can also curtail where a pool can be sited.

“LEP requirements are legally binding for councils and are much more difficult to challenge and vary, while DCP guidelines can be judged on their merit by council and therefore are easier to challenge,” he says.

“As long as the objectives of the latter are complied with in principle, there is a degree of flexibility for council to accept any variations from the controls.”

Glass sums up by saying that a sensitively located and well considered pool design and associated facilities need not cost more than a pool that is poorly sited and designed, and will most definitely add to the property value and resale potential.

Integration is the key

Like Glass, residential and commercial pool designer John Storch from A Total Concept Landscape Architects believes the most im-

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37

Photography by Glenn Weiss

feature

portant component to pool siting is integration.

“This takes into account the lifestyle of the owner; the style of the house and all aesthetic and functional considerations like cabanas, outdoor kitchens, lawn and gardens to create an adhesive and integrated finished product that enhances the owner’s lifestyle and adds immeasurable resale value to the home,” he says.

To start the design process for the swimming pool, he recommends you look at the overall property and determine what you will be using the pool space for.

“Take into account your lifestyle and what the pool will be used for – exercise, jumping in summer to cool off, fun for the whole family, entertaining in small or large numbers – as this will determine the pool’s end size and design,” says Storch.

“If it is for a family, take into account the future needs of the children. We all hope that if we make our home suitable for entertaining around a pool then our teenage children and their friends will want to converge at our home rather than meet elsewhere.”

The budget of course is a defining element in any decision.

“You need to consider if the works must be undertaken all at once or if the project needs to be staged over a period of time to meet with available finances,” says Storch.

“If it’s the latter, the owner and builder need to think about scheduling of works. That is, what projects need to be undertaken when, so that the finished works do not need to be ripped up at a later stage to complete new works.

“An example of bad work scheduling could be placing the new paving in first only to realise later that drainage was not allowed for or the electrical cabling needs to be installed under the paving for lighting at a later date.”

Storch advocates taking advantage of a landscape architect during the initial planning stages, not only to figure out the best place to put the pool but to ensure you’re factoring in all the elements that go into it.

“Essentially, a good design for an outdoor entertaining area looks great and is also functional,” he says.

“The design should create a seamless integration between the indoor spaces of the home and the swimming pool. Great flow, great layout and great materials combine to make the outdoor living space an extension of the home so the family can sit back, relax and enjoy their investment.”

This Argo design also makes use of a sloping block to establish a raised deck for relaxing and entertaining.

What drives the design?

Gary Kilworth, director of award winning Victorian pool designer and builder, Out From The Blue, says that the location of a pool is very important for its function, aesthetics, safety and performance.

But he adds that while you will gain from a particular siting choice, you usually must sacrifice something too.

“Each individual will have a priority on what they choose to be the driver. This is the pool builder’s responsibility to feed back to clients or architects as to what may be sacrificed due to these drivers,” he says.

“Aesthetics is more often than not the prime driver in the planning stage of a swimming pool. The architecture of the building needs to be complemented when blurring the lines between indoor and outdoor. The water line of any swimming pool creates strong lines and corresponding directly to the building is where this takes place.”

Passive climactic design

Brisbane-based Argo Architects + Landscape Architects group manager Will Marcus says that the location of the plant room is one of the important siting questions to be considered at the planning stage.

“Pumps are the part of the filtration system that have the greatest intolerance for poor location, so we need to observe their requirements first,” says Marcus.

“Pool pumps do not like sucking water but they will push all day long due to the slipping impeller design.

December 2014/January 2015 SPLASH! 39

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Above: Sloping blocks provide obstacles but also opportunities Right: One opportunity of a sloping block is the ability to be amongst the treetops, as seen in this Out From The Blue project

As a result, pumps cannot be effectively located much more than 500mm higher than the pool coping level.”

However, there are ways to improve the performance of a hydraulic system when the pump must be higher or is located further away from the pool, such as increasing pipe dimensions.

Marcus says when it comes to passive climactic design, he always considers the microclimate of a site and factors in the prevailing breeze directions when designing a pool.

“In Brisbane, prevailing breezes are from the northeast around to the south-east and, for a few weeks around Easter, we receive a strong cold blast from the south-west,” he says.

“Because these breezes push leaves across the pool surface, we use them to aid the circulation system pushing leaves into skimmer boxes. Consequently, a north-easterly breeze demands a skimmer box in the south-western corner of the pool.”

In sympathy with this design decision, Marcus also installs return-to-pool inlets at the opposite end of the pool and points them to the surface so they make the water ruffle slightly. This hydraulic action assists the leaves on their way into the skimmer box.

“The location of return inlets is also important for the uniform distribution of chemicals, especially chlorine, around the pool,” he says.

“Return inlets need to eliminate the opportunity for ‘shadows’ in the pool where water can lie stagnant.

Good return inlet design goes a long way to preventing algae forming on the pool walls.”

Wind and heat loss

Prevailing breezes or winds can quickly remove heat from the pool. While some people may not think wind exposure is a major concern when siting a pool, because you can create wind breaks with plantings and screens if necessary, Marcus takes it very seriously.

“Most heat leaves your pool in evaporating water molecules; in fact it is around 86 per cent of all the heat your pool loses,” he says. “A constant breeze will double the evaporative rate and as a consequence chill the pool.

But in Queensland, chilling can actually be an advantage.

“Brisbane’s prevailing north-easterlies can be harnessed to cool the home if it is located north-east of the living spaces. As hot air drifts over the pool, encouraging evapo40

SPLASH! December 2014/January 2015

ration, water molecules chill the air and modify the humidity to a pleasant level as they drift through the home.”

He says that one to two degrees Celsius can be taken off indoor air temperatures using this “natural air conditioning” method.

Resale value

Property value and resale potential is also a very important consideration.

Marcus says that once upon a time – that is, before the global financial crisis (GFC) – we could approximate the financial impact of installing a pool on property prices.

“It went like this: a poorly designed pool would not add any value to a property and could even devalue it,” he says.

“A well-designed pool would add its construction value to the property price and a superb poolscape solution would add its construction value plus more to the property value. If the poolscape design was exceptional, it could add twice or even three times its cost to the property value.

“In one extreme case I recall, the pool and deck transformed the usability of the backyard and established a magnificent city view at the same time, and the property value doubled as a result.”

However, that was once upon a time.

“During the GFC, no one really knew where property prices were heading and so it was a brave person who would answer this question,” he says.

“Now that we are post-GFC, we are starting to hear property valuers stating and writing in their reports that swimming pools (any type) add their construction value to property and you can only hope that a superb poolscape would do better that just add its build cost.” ■

Contacts: Argo: www.argo.com.au A Total Concept: www.atotalconcept.com.au Neptune Pools: neptunepools@westnet.com.au Out From The Blue: www.oftb.com.au Peter Glass & Associates: www.peterglass.com.au

PTY LTD

POOL RANGER

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Cooling the desert reindeer

D

ubai is a city where anything is possible. A giant archipelago shaped like the world?

Done. A ski field in the middle of the desert?

Why not.

So when a wealthy Dubai businessman wants his own zoo stocked with cold climate creatures such as reindeer, no one should be surprised.

The personal zoo, which is not open to the public, contains ostriches, antelope and reindeer amongst other creatures.

All the animals are free to roam around the property, which has open grassy areas and plenty of trees for shade. Naturally, the reindeer in particular might feel a little uncomfortable in a climate with temperatures that can reach 50 degrees C. Ample clean water and the ability to cool down is essential, so the owner commissioned a pool specifically for the reindeers’ use.

“The 80m3 pool was built so the reindeer had a place to cool off and relax in summer,” says Tony Fisher, managing director of Waterco Europe.

“The client wanted a chlorine-free system that was easy to operate and gave excellent water quality. We recommended a Hydroxypure system to suit the use with reindeers and it has worked extremely well.”

Hydroxypure – combining ozone and blended hydrogen peroxide – works by increasing the level of active oxygen in the water.

“The client did not want chlorine being used,” says Fisher. “We had to consider the size of the pool and the fact that reindeer, rather than people, were using the pool to cool off relax, so the system had to be designed

44 SPLASH! December 2014/January 2015

with this in mind.

“The client also wanted a system that was easy to operate, was self-managing and involved simple installation. Reindeer are actually quite dangerous, so it was essential that the system be self-managing so time spent inside the enclosure was limited. The Hydroxypure system fulfils all this criteria.”

Fisher says both the client and the reindeer seem happy with the water quality.

“The reindeer use it every day and there have been no issues.”

They also had to be careful with water usage in the desert environment.

“One of the problems is that water is a valuable commodity in the desert and they could only backwash a maximum of 5m3 of water a day,” says Fisher.

Two Waterco 70XL commercial MultiCyclone centrifugal pre-filtration devices were installed to help keep the water clean and reduce maintenance time.

“The MultiCyclone 70XL is designed specifically for use in commercial pools, so it was ideal for this situation. The two devices were installed so that a lot of the debris was removed prior to the water going through the filtration system. This meant that both the frequency and backwashing times were reduced and fell below the 5m3 per day target.”

The pool is 1.4m deep in some parts so the reindeer can completely cool, and features a fountain and waterfall, which serve the multiple purposes of looking appealing, aerating the water and spraying the reindeer.

Contact: www.waterco.com.au

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Man Therapy: it’s like a Kreepy Krauley for your brain.

Kreepy Krauly helps fight depression Kreepy Krauly Australia has announced a major contribution to Beyond Blue in support of the fight against depression and anxiety.

Surprisingly, more than three million Australians are affected by depression and anxiety and it’s alarming to know that suicide is the leading cause of death for Australians aged between 15 and 44 years.

For reasons unknown, depression has almost doubled over the past decade, a disturbing statistic for the so called “lucky country”.

The aim of Beyond Blue is threefold: to create awareness of the issue,

to provide support programs for sufferers and to reduce the stigma attached to depression and anxiety.

Statistics show that men in particular are far less inclined to seek help and assistance when suffering depression. In fact, they are far less likely to even discuss the issue – even with family and friends.

Almost all Australians are affected in some way: it could be a family member, friend, a neighbour or a work colleague. Kreepy Krauly has pledged its support to help make a difference to this serious and widespread issue.

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SPLASH! December 2014/January 2015

One of the billboards where Kreepy Krauly helps promote mantherapy.org

Gay men to become “Lifeguards” for their mates The National LGBTI Health Alliance, Beyond Blue and the Movember Foundation are jointly promoting the Lifeguard Project for Australian communities of gay men.

The aim is to foster a community conversation and educate gay men across Australia in an effort to tackle the alarming rates of depression, anxiety and suicide within this community.

The sale of every Kreepy Krauly purchased in Australia will contribute to the cause and Kreepy Krauly has also launched a special edition Sprinta Blue model in recognition of its association with Beyond Blue.

Also, a blue Fiat motor car will be given away to one lucky pool owner as part of the awareness program. Major advertising support of Beyond Blue with the distribution of 1.5 million infor-

mation catalogues, billboard signage and Beyond Blue information will be packaged with each product sold to help spread the message and create much needed awareness.

Kreepy Krauly authorised dealers around Australia have become ambassadors for Beyond Blue and with their support the pool industry can help make a real difference to the lives of many Australians.

Contact: 1300 656 956

Research shows that gay men often see their friends struggling with anxiety and depression but lack the confidence to reach out to them.

The Lifeguard Project will give gay men the confidence, knowledge and skills to become “lifeguards” in their social networks, to support themselves, and their partners and friends, if they are struggling.

Contact: www.beyondblue.org.au/pride

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48 SPLASH! December 2014/January 2015

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Garden pools feature prominently in Victorian Landscape Awards

T Left: Landscape Management and Maintenance Award went to Urban Horticultural Solutions Bottom left: Residential Landscape Construction under 100k Award went to Franklin Landscape & Design Below: Residential Landscape Construction 100k to 200k Award went to Franklin Landscape & Design

he Victorian Landscape Industry celebrated a year of achievement at the 2014 Victorian Landscape Awards held at the Grand Hyatt Melbourne in October.

Hosted by Max Walker, the awards reflected excellence in maintenance, design and construction works across residential and commercial applications completed by Landscaping Victoria members from around the state. This year’s judging panel paid particular attention to construction finishes and plant choice to determine the victors in what was a very strong field of entrants.

Swimming pools featured prominently in the winning landscapes, including the gardens from Franklin Landscape & Design and newcomers Str8line Landscaping.

Franklin Landscape & Design won the Residential Landscape Construction under $100k category for their Brighton project, then had to come straight back on stage to accept the next award, Residential Landscape Construction $100k to $200k for a second residential project completed in Brighton.

Ocean Road Landscaping also won two awards: Plants in the Landscape and Feature in the Landscape.

Australian Native Landscape Constructions was the big winner on the night, taking away three trophies including Landscape of the Year for their Docklands Project. The company had taken out the top gong for three of the past four years. The commercial project in the Docklands area also came out on top for the Commercial Landscape Construction over $500k and Hard Structures in the Landscape award categories.

Providing a high quality product and a reliable service earned Gardens at Night the award for Supplier of the Year and Lachlan Samers from Esjay Landscapes took out the Apprentice of the Year, impressing the judges with his enthusiasm, pride and passion for the industry.

Other category winners were: • Timandra Design & Landscaping: The Sustainable Landscape • Phillip Johnson Landscapes: Residential Landscape Construction over $200k • Str8line Landscaping: Rising Star • RB Landscapes: Landscape Design over 150m2 • Urban Horticultural Solutions: Landscape Management & Maintenance Contact: www.landscapingvictoria.com.au December 2014/January 2015 SPLASH! 49

feature

Elena Gosse (centre) with Queensland Small Business Minister Jan Stuckey and AIS director Kerry Gosse, in front of an “award wall” already cramped for space

Gosse and her bagful of Stevies

E

lena Gosse is not new to winning awards. Already she has a series of awards for her business acumen, while the company of which she is CEO, Australian Innovative Systems (AIS), has also accumulated several innovation and product awards during her tenure.

Her personal accolades include being

named one of the 2014 Australian Financial Review and Westpac 100 Women of Influence. She was recognised in the Business Enterprise category for her leadership in steering AIS’ strategy and direction to make it a national and international success.

Now she has improved her standing internationally by winning three prestigious Silver

Stevie Women in Business Awards as well as collecting a Gold Stevie for AIS. The Awards were presented in November at a gala ceremony in New York City.

Gosse and AIS were awarded the Gold Stevie for Most Innovative Company of the Year with more than 10 Employees; and three Silver Stevies for Woman of the Year – Indus-

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50 SPLASH! December 2014/January 2015

try; Female Entrepreneur of the Year in Asia, Australia or New Zealand and Lifetime Achievement – Business.

The Stevie Awards for Women in Business form one of the world’s top honours for female entrepreneurs, executives, employees and the organisations they run. The 2014 awards received more than 1200 nominations from 22 nations and territories. More than 160 executives worldwide participated in the judging process.

Gosse says that winning the awards came after a period of intense business activity for AIS as it looked to launch two new products to the national and international markets.

The company’s extensive range of chlorinators employs sophisticated proprietary technology combined with the process of electrolysis to disinfect water inline (or offline) and onsite for residential and commercial applications. AIS has more than 20 years’ industry experience and a reputation for continuous innovation and has exported its technology to more than 55 countries worldwide.

The Stevie Awards Honouring organisations of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevies recognise outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide.

Stevie Awards are conferred in six programs: the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, the German Stevie Awards, The American Business Awards, The International Business Awards, the Stevie Awards for Women in Business, and the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service.

“Having our people and products acknowledged internationally with awards such as the Stevies proves that our innovative, Australian-designed and manufactured technology is recognised as world class,” she says.

“Of course any accolade that is bestowed upon our company is really due to the outstanding efforts of our staff who continue to strive for new levels of excellence in water disinfection technology.”

Contact: aiswater.com.au ■

Commenting on the calibre of Stevie Women in Business Award entrants this year, Michael Gallagher, founder and president of the Stevie Awards says: “In the 11 years of the Stevie Awards for Women in Business, we have never had as many impressive women entrepreneurs, organisations and executives nominated as we did in 2014.

“Their stories of success and innovation will be an inspiration to women around the globe who dream of starting and growing a business and making a difference.”

Contact: www.StevieAwards.com

December 2014/January 2015 SPLASH!

51

feature

Marking up to hit your targets

By Sue Hirst

T

here is an old saying: “If you aim at nothing, you’ll hit your target every time.”

We would all like a “silver bullet” in our business that creates that wonderful profit we seek. The reality is that there isn’t one.

There are lots of things that take up the attention of owners/managers in the effort to create a profitable and sustainable business. There are however a small number of key things that can have a big impact on any business’s bottom line.

The drivers to financial performance are called Key Performance Indicators or KPIs. Ask yourself – how do you currently track, monitor and drive the financial per-

formance of your business? If you don’t currently use KPIs, you could be in for a real boost to your profit by focusing on this vital area of business management.

What are some of the key drivers to financial performance?

• For a sales company: volume of sales, gross margin percentage • Manufacturing: number of machinehours sold, labour sales, dollar value/machine-hour, material margin percentage • Contractors: number of billable hours, value per billable hour, utilisation percentage Key drivers vary from industry to indus-

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52 SPLASH! December 2014/January 2015

try, but ask yourself this question: “If I was away from my business for a while, what are the five or six things I would want to know about the performance of my business?”

We’re not talking here about the bottom line results but what impacts the bottom line results or more importantly the “top line”.

To see the value of managing KPIs it is worth calculating how much more profit you could make by improving them. This is called sensitivity analysis.

Targets for key drivers

• Set company targets for each key driver • Determine profitability from hitting key driver targets –– Are targets realistic?

–– Is profitability the desired profitability –– Realistic targets that result in a loss may mean your business model needs to be changed –– Determine actions/plans to achieve the targets and deadline dates –– Set targets for staff who have influence on key drivers, such as sales staff –– Bonus/incentive scheme for achieving targets • Monitor Actual v Target

Budget

% Change

Updated Key Driver

Profit Impact

Net Profit

80,000

No Sold Hours

10,000

3.0%

10,300

78,750

175

3.0%

180

52,500

25.0%

3.0

25.8%

15,000

Labour Sales $ / Machine Hour Material Margin %

Here is an example of a sensitivity analysis based on a manufacturing business with net profit of $80,000. This example illustrates that the most valuable impact is on “number of hours sold”, so this is the KPI that should receive maximum attention

–– Monitor Actual v Target by month (or week) for each key driver –– Determine dollar impact on profitability of variances from target –– When actual < target – what actions can be taken to improve?

• In Summary –– Every business needs to know what the key things are (KPIs) that need to happen to create a profitable level of sales –– The impact on profit of improving the KPIs needs to be understood and calculated –– Realistic targets need to be set for the company, divisions and team members who influence them. This helps to get staff “buy-in” and take ownership

–– Incentives are a great way to encourage staff to achieve targets –– Actual versus target needs to be measured regularly to ensure they are met –– Variances needs to be investigated and below target results acted upon. Above target results need to be also understood and what caused them repeated.

Contact: www.CFOonCall.co.au Sue Hirst is the director of CFO On-Call, financial controllers who provide small/medium businesses with the opportunity to use the on-site skills of ex-corporate finance managers on an on-call basis, without the normal high cost of hiring one full time.

www.maytronics.com.au 1300 MYDOLPHIN December 2014/January 2015 SPLASH! 53

commercial news

Development

Commercial

news Global news . . . . . . . . . 56 The Battle of Bexley. . . 56 Key appointments at Belgravia. . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Thai park gets gong. . . 57 Brand new brand for Swim Australia. . . . . . . 58 Tender. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 Surfing on the Yarra. . . 59 LatiTube goes global. . 60 25 years in the family. . 62 Inspiration & perspiration at the WAHC. . . . . . . . . 64

The new aquatic centre will be a crucial element in Guymama Park, the recreational centrepiece to Sydney’s new urban residential precinct

Urban rock pool design wins Green Square competition A design inspired by Sydney’s rock pools has won the Green Square competition to design the latest and biggest swimming pool addition to Sydney.

The $50 million aquatic centre will be part of the $8 billion, 10,000-apartment urban consolidation zone 4km from the airport and only 3.5km from the CBD. Green Square’s population could increase by 19,000 by 2019, and when fully completed after 2030, the total population may reach as high as 53,000.

When completed, the new aquatic centre will be Sydney’s largest new centre built since the 2000 Olympics.

A team led by Andrew Burges Architects beat 143 other entries with a concept inspired by the beach pools at Bondi, Bronte, South Curl Curl and Malabar to win the Green Square Gunyama Park & Aquatic Centre Competition.

A jury of leading Australian architects and consultants unanimously picked a scheme that integrates the aquatic centre with a new park and sports field, providing a venue for locals to meet, relax and swim.

The jury chaired by Carey Lyon praised the winning design as a world class, exciting new project.

“This appears to be a pool about relaxing as well as providing for active swimming and recreation, and is a sensual reading of how people use swimming areas,” the jury report says.

“The jury believes that this scheme will become a very special and unique type of community experience for the residents of Green Square.”

Andrew Burges says he is overwhelmed and delighted to win the competition after he and his team had visited many aquatic centres in their quest to create a design that draws on the pleasures associated with Sydney’s beachside pools.

“We were very focussed on the idea of inclusion, not just for fitness fanatics, but for different types of

54 SPLASH! December 2014/January 2015

Gunyama Park The new complex will include: • A 50 metre heated outdoor pool • A 25 metre indoor program pool • An indoor leisure pool including spray features and tipping buckets • A hydrotherapy pool • A crèche with indoor and outdoor play areas • A full-size outdoor synthetic multipurpose sports playfield • A fully equipped gymnasium and outdoor training circuit

people and the different ways they will enjoy the centre, even if it’s just reading the paper in the sun and having the occasional dunk in the water,” he says.

The heart of the aquatic centre is a 50 metre, heated outdoor pool set within a larger, irregular shaped “beach pool” providing generous space for lap swimmers and recreational bathers.

It will also include a 25 metre indoor program pool, accommodating four times as many swimming students as the city’s award-winning Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre, as well as a hydrotherapy and indoor leisure pool.

The aquatic centre will be set in Gunyama Park, a new landscaped recreation area with extensive raised boardwalks, picnicking and adventure play areas and an all-weather sports field.

For more information go to splashmagazine.com. au for a QuickLink and a video of the plan.

Child protection

Swimming Australia investigating sexual abuse claims Following revelations in News Corp media in November, Swimming Australia (SAL) is launching an investigation into claims of sexual abuse against a former unnamed swim coach .

Swimming Australia chief executive Mark Anderson was quoted in the Sunday Telegraph as saying to journalist Jessica Halloran that SAL plans to create an appropriate panel to consider the complaints thoroughly, extensively, and to provide their findings back to the board and himself . The panels will include experts who have experience and understanding in dealing with serious and sensitive claims, and he said the panel will ensure that investigations and hearings are carried out in a fair and thorough manner and all involved are provided with clear reasons as to the outcomes .

He said that the protection of our children and women in swimming is SAL’s and his number one priority, and that there is no place for abuse in swimming .

In Western Australia, the institute of sport (WAIS) is also reportedly conducting an renewed investigation into their head coach Michael Palfrey relating to allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards teenage girls, who are now adults and have come forward .

Retired police inspector Paul Ferguson has reportedly been appointed by WAIS to head the independent investigation .

These developments follow a series of swimming icons including Shane Gould, Dawn Fraser and Duncan Armstrong calling for the sport to be cleaned up .

They have been recently quoted in the Daily Telegraph saying amongst other things that following allegations made towards Scott Volkers in the Royal Commission into Institutional Child Sex Abuse, the Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS) needs to increase child protection and implement a child protection policy that deals with complaints of sexual abuse; that inquiries into swimming must be independent; and that SAL and the Australian Coaches and Teacher’s Association (ASCTA) should employ more stringent education procedures to ensure the protection of athletes .

Swimming Australia said earlier in November that it was reviewing its child protection policies and would seek advice from experts including Sex Discrimination Commissioner Elizabeth Broderick .

Meanwhile, senior Olympic swim team official Greg Hodge’s ASCTA coaching membership is under review amid allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards a junior female swimmer . Following investigations from the Sunday Telegraph, it was announced Hodge had retired from his role as head coach of the West Coast Swimming Club .

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In Brief Joondalup Mayor Troy Pickard has been appointed President of the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA), replacing outgoing president and current South Australian of the Year, Dr Felicity-Ann Lewis, who has also retired as mayor of Marion, a position she had held since 2000 .

Former Lifesaver of the Year, Suzanne Young, has become the most senior woman ever to hold a position in the National Rugby League . She was appointed chief operating officer in November . She was Australian Lifesaver of the Year in 1996 and has also been coach, official, administrator and a director of SLSA, and held roles managing strategy, development and operations for Qantas, Leighton Holdings and the Commonwealth Bank .

The Intermedia Group, publisher of SPLASH!, has acquired the Australian Water Management Review, a bi-annual business-to-business publication which takes an in-depth look at the water management industry in Australia and Asia .

AWMR will join the stable of 30 Intermedia titles and will be part of the Interpoint media portfolio which includes Position magazine, spatialsource .com .au and Freedom2live .com .au .

The Central Darling Shire Council has come to an arrangement with the Menindee Central School and the Menindee Enterprise Park that will see volunteers help keep the Menindee Swimming Pool open during the coming summer, saving the Council tens of thousands of dollars .

For More Information, Contact Peter Rabbidge on (02) 4651 2377 or 0407 078 075 www.zelbrite.com

December 2014/January 2015 SPLASH!

55

commercial news

Global news Swiss publication Chemische Rundschau has published data showing an upswing in global pump production . However, the growth will only be in specific markets and segments including the US market for liquid pumps growing by 2 .8 per cent .

The regional production share of western Europe is expected to decrease from 39 .9 per cent to 35 .3 per cent, while the Chinese share will increase from 3 .8 per cent to 9 .8 per cent .

The US town of Chadron Nebraska has enacted an unusual way to pay for the upkeep of the local swimming pool: a half-cent city sales tax . More than 64 percent of Chadron voters agreed after the measure was placed on the election ballot, following a petition by locals as part of a proposal to pay for enclosing the pool and entering into a partnership with the local state college to operate it .

As the result of a second DUI conviction in September, US swimming icon Michael Phelps has been suspended from USA Swimming’s competitions for six months, meaning he will miss the 2015 FINA World Championships and forfeit funding for six months . He will enter a treatment program .

Japanese swimmer Naoya Tomita has admitted to stealing a journalist’s camera at the Asian Games pool in Seoul in October .

He was said to be “not in his usual mental state” by Japan’s chef de mission .

56

SPLASH! December 2014/January 2015

The proposed Bexley Swimming and Leisure Centre LGA

The Battle of Bexley At the time of writing, residents and councillors in the southern Sydney municipality of Rockdale were massing for a rally in favour of the $30 million Bexley Swimming and Leisure Centre.

While almost everyone seems in favour of the pool being approved – the mayor, many councillors, the chamber of commerce and the ratepayers – the proposal is being stymied by a seemingly absurd boycott by six Liberal councillors and one independent.

The pool is part of a capital works program which also includes a library, the already completed refurbishment of the town hall, and a new youth centre.

The council’s plan is to fund the pool via the sale of a Chapel Street carpark for which they have already been offered $48 million. The sale would not only pay for all the capital works, but also pay for another much larger carpark and still leave the council $10 million in the black.

The problem isn’t that the boycotting councillors won’t vote for the sale or the pool project: they won’t even attend council meetings if the sale is on the agenda, or they walk out once the item is raised. This denies the council a quorum and so leaves the sale in limbo. Without the sale guaranteeing funding, the pool tender cannot be finalised.

The boycotting councillors will not divulge what their issue is with the pool or the carpark sale.

Rockdale Mayor Shane O’Brien says that when the council adopted the plan in 2011, they said they would look at the capital reserves and also at the need to sell “lazy assets” to unlock their value to help fund it.

“Nothing has changed from that,” he says. “We got to the point where we had to make a decision to sell one of these assets – the carpark – and as it turned out the value was such that it would fund all of our capital shortfalls across all those projects, and actually increase the carpark spaces by 42 per cent. The plan was supported by the Chamber of Commerce.

“But when we got to the time to actually do it, the Liberal councillors – for whatever reason – decided they would not attend or would leave council

rather than have the sale of the carpark addressed.

This leaves us without a quorum.”

He says that because they couldn’t consider the sale, they can’t consider the pool tender because the funding wouldn’t be in place.

“This has been going on since September the 3rd.”

Local Government minister Paul Toole, a Nationals member, is seen as a potential saviour despite coming from the other side of the political fence. He expressed concern about the seven councillors’ behaviour and issued a performance improvement order, and is ready to issue an order reducing the required quorum from eight to seven, meaning a vote can take place.

“It came to a head last week when the minister intervened and said he’d grant us a seven person quorum,” says O’Brien. “The council thanked the minister and we have scheduled both these items to be decided on December 3. If the Liberals don’t turn up, the minister will issue the order and we will go to a seven person quorum. But we’re hopeful the message will have got through.

“If we do agree to dispose of the land, then we’ll vote on the tender.”

The new centre is proposed to have a 50 metre outdoor pool, a 25 metre indoor pool, a children’s pool, program pool, gym, café and amenities.

O’Brien says that while the upfront capital costs would be relatively high with this proposal, the whole-of-life costs would be smaller, the ongoing subsidy from the council budget would be greatly reduced, and the centre could possibly even generate a small positive return – a rare situation for a local government swimming facility.

Residents have been without a pool since April when the old pool was closed.

The rally will be held while SPLASH! is at the printers, but we will publish an update online and in the next edition.

Go to splashmagazine.com.au for links to the Build Bexley Pool site and a state-based 7:30 Report story.

New Gold Coast Wibit Junior

Industry moves

Belgravia makes key appointments Three new members have been added to Belgravia Leisureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s senior staff.

Professor Jeff Walkley has been appointed national disability and diversity manager. He is a highly respected Associate Professor at RMIT University where he researches the promotion of physically active lifestyles to individuals with divergent needs. An expert in the fields of physical education, disability and exercise science, he will provide support and leadership to facility managers to develop programs and services for people with disabilities and special needs.

Grant Seamer has been appointed national events manager. Seamer is an adventure events specialist with an extensive background in commercial event management and tourism. Most recently he was Mt Baw Baw Alpine Resort marketing and events manager, and has also worked with Paramount Pictures, Land Rover Australia and Qantas Travel.

Event management is an emerging area for Belgravia Leisure with summer events commencing at Mt Baw Baw Alpine Resort in December 2014, and other events taking place throughout the year at Lake Mountain, Mt Buller and Mt Hotham Alpine Resorts.

Rohan Gunton has been appointed regional manager for Western Australia. He will be responsible for overseeing Belgraviaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s aquatic and recreation facilities and for business development throughout the state. He has a Bachelor of Social Science from Edith Cowan University and more than 19 years of experience within the sport and recreation industry with seven years at a senior executive management level.

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Thai park gets gong Cartoon Network Amazone Waterpark located near Pattaya, Thailand has picked up the top honour at the World Waterpark Association (WWA) Awards held in Las Vegas during October. The 2014 Leading Edge Award was presented to Dr Baris Pakis, president of Polin Waterparks and

Liakat Dhanji, CEO of Cartoon Network Amazone Waterpark. The Leading Edge Award is presented to park and supplier members who, through their combined efforts, have brought a project, product, service or program to fruition, thereby demonstrating industry innovation and leadership.

Swimplex Aquatics Coffs Harbour, New South Wales 1300 796 759 daniel@swimplex.com.au www.watertoys.com December 2014/January 2015 SPLASH!

57

commercial news

The launch at the Andrew “Boy” Charlton pool at Woolloomooloo

Associations

Brand new brand for Swim Australia Swim Australia has rejuvenated itself with a new brand, a new logo and a more focussed message.

The learn-to-swim and national swim school authority officially launched its re-positioned brand at a harbourside event in Sydney, above the famous Andrew Boy Charlton Aquatic Centre, a location where post-colonisation swimming dates back to 1820 and competitive swimming had taken place since 1846.

Swim Australia CEO, Ross Gage acknowledges time has moved on for the association, and their branding needs to be refreshed.

“While our mission and vision have remained strong, our practices however, have evolved – it was time for us to acknowledge our growth, and prepare for our truly exciting future,” he says.

“Not only are we passionate about reducing drowning deaths, but it’s our direct aim to also achieve world’s best practice in everything we do.”

The ambition to be the best at their core responsibilities led them arrive at the message: Safer, Smarter, Stronger. Working from the core message, they developed a logo and livery.

The rebranding took more than nine months to reach fruition, with input and 58

SPLASH! December 2014/January 2015

perspective, we very much want to be the peak industry body, and tied in with that we have a family with Swim Australia and our swim schools.

“That’s where we want to be,” says Gage.

“Safer, smarter and stronger.”

The new vibrant, fluid and nurturing logo

guidance from a select group of swim school owners and operators, as well as the primary appointment of notable brand and re-positioning experts, Nutshell and WiteKite.

“Without Nutshell’s Bryce Ott, and WiteKite’s Sophie Klaas and Gerson Guzman, we wouldn’t have been able to achieve such clarity in our brand, image and messaging,” says Gage.

The logo went through many incarnations before the final design was settled on, with the new modern look incorporating a flowing feel – essential for a water-based organisation – cool colours, an abstract outline of Australia, and a nurturing element.

“Our key messages are: in the community side, we’re the learn-to-swim experts; we’re the national authority on teaching swimming and water safety, and from our members’

LGA

Upcoming tender Weddin Shire Council

Redevelopment of Weddin Aquatic Centre - RFT 9/2014 Request for Tender: 9/2014 Demolition and redevelopment of the Weddin Aquatic Centre incorporating demolition of the existing facilities and construction of a new six-lane 50-metre pool, associated concourse and plant, splash pad and program pool, amenities, club room, manager’s control room, entry and kiosk .

Closing: 12 noon, Friday December 19, 2014

Development

Surfing on the Yarra A new concept for a beach and surf park at Central Pier in Melbourne’s Docklands precinct is being developed by Damian Rogers Architecture and engineering and design firm, Arup .

Although still in the concept phase, if completed the new aquatic space would offer Melbournians a beach lifestyle in the Docklands as well as being a major tourist attraction .

The park would feature a sandy beach and floating heated wave pool, with water drawn from Victoria Harbour and treated to a safe swimming water standard .

Potentially, surfers could catch waves up to 1 .8m high and 160 metres long .

By 2031, the Docklands population is expected to increase to 16,000, attract 20 million visitors each year and be a workplace for 40,000 people daily .

“This could rejuvenate the Docklands by giving the public a space they will want to use and that will also attract events and businesses,” says Phil Carter, Arup’s urban and transport planner .

If built, the floating wave pool would be the first of its kind in Australia .

How the Docklands surf park may look

RALIAN

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IAN MA

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• Games - Basket / Volley Ball

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• Wet Area Furniture • Aquatic Play Features • Wetdeck® Grating

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Our products not only look the part, but improve the pool experience of patrons by assisting them with water safety, enhancing confidence & providing access to hydrotherapy for all users.

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Just add water.

feature

The LatiTube is said to simulate a real ride better than other wave generators currently in the market

LatiTube goes global

L

atiTube, the Australian surfing ride first detailed in SPLASH! in early 2011 has reached a new stage, with its acquisition by the world’s largest waterpark ride company, Canadian based WhiteWater.

WhiteWater also has the rights to the popular FlowRider wave riding system, as well as other wave generation products.

The acquisition of the LatiTube line of products extends worldwide with the exception of Australia and New Zealand, where Swimplex Aquatics retain the territory exclusively.

“Needless to say both myself and the entire WhiteWater design and sales team are extremely excited now the LatiTube brand and technology is available to a global customer base, after the great success under Swimplex Aquatics in Australia and New Zealand,” says inventor Steve Kriticos.

“WhiteWater is addicted to innovation, they simply must have the best of everything in their portfolio and there is no doubt this is an exciting technology for their core business designing and suppling to waterparks worldwide,” he says.

A raft of new products will feed from the brand, led by the Pocket Single, Pocket Double, Pocket Outbreak and Pocket Pro. LatiTube will come under the Wave Division with FlowRider.

Kriticos believes that being drawn into the WhiteWater fold will help speed the international development of surf parks, where multiple surfing attractions can exist in the one park, just like multiple slides and pools currently do in waterparks.

“We want to welcome Steve Kriticos and the LatiTube product line into the WhiteWater 60

SPLASH! December 2014/January 2015

Surf Life Saving golden girl Georgia Miller takes off on the RALC LatiTube

LatiTube inventor Steve Kriticos with Swimplex director Geoff Leaver standing on the prototype back in early 2011 at Coffs Harbour

family as another innovation joins the original waterpark and attractions company,” says Geoff Chutter, CEO and founder of WhiteWater.

LatiTube provides a much different experience to other wave machines, as it simulates actual surfing conditions, providing surfers with an experience like riding an ocean tube.

As the operator can easily adjust the wave to match the surfer’s movements and skill level, it provides an experiential surfing attraction for all ages.

ginners, little grommets, for mums and dads; even switched-on grandparents can have a surf,” he says.

Swimplex says the ride’s perfect safety record is due to the patented flexible, self-draining ride surface. The shape of the ride surface is adjustable using pneumatic cylinders and ensures that all skill levels can be catered for.

When a rider takes a tumble they land on a soft, trampoline like rubber mat which took Swimplex and Kriticos years to develop.

The ride can be built in many guises from a dedicated right or left machine, a switchable ride and a flagship double machine which has two 132kW, 1200lps Australian-designed and -manufactured pumps which provided maximum throughput of patrons.

Swimplex director Geoff Leaver says it has taken an enormous amount of effort to get the LatiTube to this stage.

“We are very excited to be riding the wave of success that this amazing real wave simulator is generating,” he says.

Contact: www.latitube.com n

Ryde Aquatic Leisure Centre

Meanwhile, Coffs Harbour based Swimplex Aquatics has just finished building their third LatiTube in Australia, this time at the Ryde Aquatic Leisure Centre (RALC) in Sydney.

Previously they installed a unit in Port Hedland WA, followed by a huge four wave model at Wet ‘n’ Wild Sydney.

Ryde Mayor, Roy Maggio, opened the ride by catching a couple of perfectly shaped waves. He says it was fun and frantic.

“It’s for kids from seven to 70. It’s for be-

21-23 June 2015 ABS Showground, Auckland New Zealand

For the second time SPLASH! New Zealand will be co-located with buildnz & designex, offering pool manufacturers access to more than 5000 industry professionals.

SPLASH! is a must attend event for manufactures, pool builders, water consultants, architects and pool service companies.

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feature

25 years “in the family” A Robert Savell as he is today

Robert Savell (right) as he was back in the 1960s, with Peter Bullivant, his first service technician

ccording to Robert Savell, the swimming pool industry is a family – and one he’s proud to have been a part of since the 1960s.

Now his place in the family is further entrenched, with his commercial water treatment company Hydrocare Pool Services reaching a quarter of a century.

The company celebrated its 25th anniversary in November at a gala dinner at the Parramatta Holiday Inn. Consultants, engineers, suppliers and current and past staff were present, as well as a number of guests who had been associated with Hydrocare in some way over the past quarter century, many receiving awards for their support.

Although the company started in 1987, the anniversary was counted from the date of its incorporation in August 1989.

“We started work in 1987 with an associate company building 25m pools,” says Savell. “We actually built the Sydney Sports Ground pool in 1987 – it was officially opened for the 1988 Bicentennial – and it didn’t need to be renovated until last year, so that was nearly 30 years.”

Robert Savell started in the swimming pool industry in 1962, when he was 14 years old and just in second year high school. He stripped formwork from concrete pools for his father, Ray Savell, who was working for

62 SPLASH! December 2014/January 2015

the iconic Frank O’Neill Pools, as were his grandfather and uncle.

“My grandfather was a carpenter and had a firm building spec houses, AH Savell and Sons, but they saw the big builders were coming. He could build one house, but someone was coming who could build 20.

So they strapped on the nailbags and became formworkers,” he says.

“They actually built the pools, and Frank O’Neill sprayed the concrete and finished the pools – Frank had the first spray concrete rigs in Australia from about 1960.”

Savell says that as they got smarter they began talking to the guys who did the plastering and plumbing.

“That’s how I actually came fully into the business, as a pool plumber doing domestic pools. Then in 1964 they formed Mermaid Pools and that company went on for 27 years. My father, uncle, mother and Aunty Joyce Savell were the partners,” he says.

“We’re a pool family. I can introduce you to people who worked for my father, who started working for him when they were nineteen and couldn’t speak English, just got off a boat from Croatia. Those people now are still in our circle. I can pick up a phone any day and say can you do a job for me, and they ‘ll come and do it.”

Above: The celebration at Parramatta Holiday Inn Right: One of Hydrocare’s latest projects at Adelong, New South Wales

Savell says that Hydrocare started as a family business – he even has his son Peter working with the company now – and they’ve managed to retain that approach.

“If you treat this industry any other way you won’t be successful in it, I’ll tell you now. You have to give your customers the same deal as if you were doing it for your family. Literally. We treat them all like that. Every customer we’ve got, we treat them like family. And that’s why we’ve got so many of them. That’s why we’re doing so well.”

The move to commercial

Mermaid Pools really got going in 1967 with a focus on filtration and water treatment, and in 1974 they became the eastern states distributor for Swimquip filtration, then one of the largest filtration companies in the world, founded way back in 1957 and headquartered in El Monte in California near the City of Industry.

“We were bringing the filters in, knock down in containers, putting them together, spraying them and supplying half the industry. They were beautiful filters.

DE filters and some sand, but mostly DE, which was very popular in those days.”

He says it was only a natural step from there to commercial.

“I’ll be honest, initially I didn’t like it. I got very peeved by the then Clerk of Works and Public Works, and the actual machinery to do the work was impossible – literally impossible. When you won a contract or did a tender you were basically signing away the left one, and if you didn’t behave you lost the right one too.”

In the 1970s, Savell’s Swimquip engineer was Dr Bill Rowley, regarded as one of the world’s top experts on swimming pool design and construction, both residential and commercial. He introduced Savell to a health official in the US who gave him some sage advice.

“He told me in no uncertain terms that if I ever wanted to be successful in any commercial endeavour I had to be on side with the health department. So I came back and became very good friends with the health department and we have been ever since.”

Savell says he and architect and hydraulics engineer Bob Coleridge have kept good communications with the health department and sit on several Australian Standards committees.

“We lurched into the commercial business basically with two major contracts: the Sports Ground job; and the Des Renford pool at Heffron Park. I literally

built the whole structure on both those pools. Then we went to Ballina and did Ballina Swim and Gym, and then did a reasonable amount of work on a 50m pool for Wollongong Uni. “We figured out pretty quickly that it was a mug’s game to build these things. Because it was very hard to do, the contractors were ripping us off and of course the clients were never paying us the right amount of money for the job. So we then stepped into it as it is today.”

They made an alliance with Jim Douse from Riviera Commercial Pools, who did the building while they did the hydraulics and filtration. They built a reputation based not only on their “family values” but their willingness to head into the country and build pools.

“For example, everyone promised they’d go to Broken Hill and no one did. The tenders were unanswered for six months, and finally after Christmas we took the plunge and went out there and did the job.”

Douse has since retired, and for the recent Parkes job they needed to build grandstands and a lot of concrete work around the pool deck.

“So that’s where Gino Gigliotti and the Icon Building Group got involved with us and they’re now building our pools. They’re doing the renovation with us at Mittagong and at the new indoor pool at Lithgow. Gino has now accepted the gauntlet and we’ve got a really good tight team.”

The future

And while it seems like 25 years in the tough business of commercial swimming pools is an achievement, Savell believes there’s a lot more to come.

“When I got on this bus as the driver back in 1987, I never thought we’d have gone as far as we’ve gone.

But right now the bus is at an intersection of the most important time of this company’s life. We are absolutely in the best position we’ve ever been in 25 years.”

He says it’s getting to the point where he is taking less of a hands-on role but they’re still getting the business, mostly in the NSW country areas.

“I’ve never been more invigorated than I am now. I’m really getting going. It’s a funny thing to say that after 25 years, but I’m invigorated to go again. We’ve got projects lined up now – we’ve probably got four million dollars of work lined up – a lot of it in the country.

“And I’ve never been more confident in our product than today – right now, today.”

Contacts: Robert@hydcrocarepools.com.au, (02) 9604 8396. n December 2014/January 2015 SPLASH! 63

Inspiration and perspiration in Oregon

By Alan Lewis

W

e have Thomas Edison to thank for pointing out that genius is one percent “inspiration” and 99 percent “perspiration”.

There is little doubt that Tom Lachocki PhD, CEO of the National Swimming Pool Foundation (NSPF), and his devoted team perspired profusely to get such a positive response from nearly 400 people who participated in the World Aquatic Health Conference at Portland, Oregon during October.

Needless to say, the one percent of inspiration wasn’t missing either.

For a non-profit organisation that relies on a great deal of volunteer help, the NSPF has been making a huge impact on the international aquatics industry. This year delegates came from 42 countries including the USA, Australia, Austria, Canada, Denmark, Hong Kong, Iceland, Mexico, Poland, Sweden, Ukraine and the UK.

Facility profitability

This particular conference, coming as it did only a few months after the first ever WAHC outside the USA – held on the Gold Coast as part of the biennial SPLASH! Pool & Spa Trade Show – has tightened the bond with Australia and spotlighted the growing need for improvements in the profitability of aquatic facilities.

This need was emphasised by the worrying increase in health issues, such as asthma, obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, arthritis and sciatica, all conditions that can be improved via aquatic exercise and/or therapy.

The conference had major emphasis on facility management. This stream accounted for nearly half of the presentations and dealt with ways and means of conserving energy, water, chemicals and labour – where in many cases, the benefits of investing in more sophisticated, automated equipment can lower maintenance costs markedly.

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SPLASH! December 2014/January 2015

The broad diversity of representatives from the aquatic community were all catered for, ensuring all areas of the industry could find issues of interest in their particular fields: service providers, consultants, parks and recreation, water parks (indoor and outdoor), manufacturers, academia, associations, builders, community organisations, distributors, hotels, government, health, retail and media.

This was why roughly 50 per cent of the attendees were not newcomers to this WAHC. As this was the fifth successive WAHC in the USA I have attended, I was expecting a “lot more of the same”. But each conference brings surprises and this one was no exception.

The vitality, quality of research and great excitement at the meeting of minds was not only undiminished but refreshed.

The clear objective of this conference was to present new ideas on how to improve the attraction of facilities and their range of services.

This in turn should ensure all members of the community can use a facility as a meeting place while learning from each other the best ways to keep fit and active, and by doing so improve their well-being and indeed improve their outlook on life in general.

Part of the reason I have been returning each year is that each conference only lasts two days, making it is impossible to absorb all there is to learn from every presentation. For a start, many overlap each other.

This frustration is partially overcome by the social activities and the informal and quick reunions that can be grabbed between sessions or at meal times. Getting to know 400 people, many of whom one might only have had a fleeting exchange with at a previous conference, is a real challenge and can at best be cursory.

These are the reasons that regular attendance at these conferences continues to invigorate, elevate, and maintain a passion for the

commercial feature

The eleventh World Aquatic Health Conference was held in Portland Oregon during October

Attendees suggested this was the best ever WAHC

industry and all that is being done to improve it and increase its value.

At this stage they manage an impressive 14,000 floats per year at a charge of $50 to $60 per float.

Aquatic facility tour

Air quality

This time I came a day earlier so that I could take the Insider’s Aquatic Facility Tour. We visited five unique aquatic facilities: the Mt Hood Community Aquatic Centre; the Mountain Park Home Owners Association; the Southwest Community Centre’s indoor pool; Float On; and Oregon Health and Science University’s wellness and fitness centre.

The selection of venues was most appropriate. All in all, it was a very instructive tour, in that it covered facilities of different ages and quality – not all positive as far as the quality of the water was concerned. One had a 30 to 40 year old plant room in need of an upgrade, but nevertheless it was well kept and in good working order.

The most recent and supposedly best built site had one or two people swimming in totally non-compliant water while we were visiting. One wonders how a modern venue, apparently managed by accredited CPOs – was allowed to open a pool when the water conditions must have left the bathers dehydrated from the excessive free chlorine residual quite evident from the readings on the controller in the plant room.

This leaves one wondering how it could happen in this day and age. Other details of the installation in the plant room showed evidence of poor planning as well as poor management of the project on the whole.

The most interesting of the venues was the Float On. This venue consists of a number of small rooms where one can literally “float” for anywhere from one to three hours in a darkened room in highly concentrated salt water – a similar salinity level to the Dead Sea. Here they can float and lose track of where their body ends and the water begins. No matter what you do, you can’t drown in this bath. This idea has been around for 40 years and exists in Australia as well. The water is filtered three times between floating sessions and treated with UV light. People float to relieve stress, fight addiction, eliminate chronic pain and much more.

Floating increases the dopamine and endorphin levels in the body, allows you to “empty your mind” and is generally believed to improve mental tranquillity.

The venue stays open for as long as there are customers. Ashkan Jahrani and Graham Talley are running a lucrative business and recommend “floating” as a great revenue adjunct to any aquatic facility.

After the tour I pondered the fact that of the various aquatic venues that we had visited, there was a considerable gap between the modern design of venues and what the advanced chemistry research is teaching us today.

This is indicative of the industry as a whole in both the USA and Australia. It seems that research is far ahead of where the designers and manufacturers are with new devices to handle complex disinfection by products (DBPs) developing in our overloaded public pools.

When I bumped into Don Baker CEO of Paddock Pool Equipment Company, I was pleased to learn that since his combined presentation with Randy Baxter at Norfolk Virginia, he has upgraded some 50 pools in line with Baxter’s article in the ASHRAE Journal of April 2012, Designing for Indoor Air Quality in Natatoriums (Pool Halls).

Baxter pointed out that most pool halls suffer from poor air quality due to the preponderance of nitrogen trichloride (trichloramine) gas which impacts on eye, nose and throat irritations and exacerbates asthmatic symptoms.

This gas is heavier than air and sits on the surface of the pool which is where the competitive swimmers grab their breaths as they splash down the lane, with the result that pool deck staff and serious swimmers who spend long hours in the pool hall are actually suffering because most current ventilation doesn’t address this problem.

Baxter’s article proposes various ways of dealing with this and improving the quality of the pool hall air. He has worked hard to develop retrofit “evacuator” systems which extract these gases because once they “off gas” they will not readily return to their liquid state, thus causing those in the pool hall discomfort from sneezing, coughing, irritated eyes, wheezing, chest tightness and congestion.

This is so important that elite swimming teams are now seeking out pool halls which do indeed extract the damaging gases from the pool hall as their preferred venue for training, prior to major competitions. The Model Aquatic Code (MAHC) now details exactly how the air management in pool halls can be made compliant.

The question arises: how quickly can the venues of old bring about this essential improvement to their facility, and where will the money come from?

Tom Lachocki opens the conference

December 2014/January 2015 SPLASH!

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commercial feature

Patty Chang Anker’s lively talk on facing up to fears, including fear of water

Ole Gronborg from Ultraquaa (centre) with Terry McArthy the US agent for the drum filter (left) and Charlotte Nytoft (right) senior advisor from the Denmark Embassy in Washington DC

Scandinavian approach

Below-right: The conference featured vitality, quality research and great excitement from the meeting of minds Below: Don Baker, Alan Lewis and Ashkahn Jahromi at platinum sponsor Hayward’s table

It was also good to see that Ole Gronborg was invited to update the conference on the new thoroughly researched Scandinavian approach to pool design. He first introduced these ideas at the WAHC 2010 at Colorado Springs and since then has built more than 50 pools throughout Denmark, Sweden and Germany.

His message, backed up with empirical experience as well as the research, is that pool maintenance costs can be reduced by 50 per cent using his technologies.

Gronborg has developed and adapted the drum filter to swimming pools. It now has a membrane which filters water gravitationally down to particles as small as five microns. This allows him to finally address the skin cells that normally finish up in dead areas of the pool floor. Now these are swept by the horizontal flow across the floor of the pool up and into the gutter above the wall where the return spigots are positioned.

Beyond that, he has developed the stripper designed to convert liquid volatile DBPs into gases which are drawn out of the water to the outside air, together with the air drawn across the surface of the pool.

66 SPLASH! December 2014/January 2015

Four years ago in Colorado Springs these new features hardly made any impact on the attendees. This time it appeared that many who heard his presentations were greatly impressed and as a result these ideas are now much closer to their implementation in America.

At this point in time, not a single drum filter has been installed in a pool in the USA or Canada.

Many pools are still built with main drains while Europe and Australia have abandoned the concept of the main drain altogether thus removing the complication of main drain covers and the absurdly inefficient circulation that evolved from it.

New ideas

Hayward has announced the imminent appearance of their HydroRite – UVO3 which combines ozone and UV in the one advanced oxidation process (AOP) for the treatment of commercial swimming pool water.

This AOP is not a new idea, but it is the first time that a manufacturer has put these two processes together in one combined element. Last year at the WAHC 2013 in Indianapolis, Ray Denkewicz presented the extensive research that Hayward had put into this device

under the title Cogeneration of UV, Ozone and Hydroxyl Radicals and its Strategic Use for Aquatic Treatment.

Two different sizes of this product will reach the market early in 2015. An apparently important aspect of this AOP is that it oxidises urea very efficiently.

An impressive presentation came from William Mitch PhD from Stanford University entiltled Managing Risks Associated with DBPs in Recreational Water.

Fifteen years of research by this associate professor has exposed 700 compounds on chromatograms. But undefined structures of humic substances make it almost impossible to predict DBPs. Seventy per cent of the total organic compounds are still unknown.

Ellen Meyer presented a study of note: Effect of Cyanuric Acid on Cryptosporidium Remediation. Since Cryptosporidium accounts for 80 per cent of the recreational water outbreaks of acute gastroentro-intestinal illnesses (2009 to 2010), much caution is needed with the use of cyanuric acid in heavily laden public pools.

It is well know that CYA lengthens the concentration time needed for other disinfectants to de-activate crypto. Ozone as a secondary disinfectant oxidises the

cell walls thereby destroying the micro-organism.

Meyer also serves on two MAHC committees and on the NSF task group for pool chemical evaluation.

Networking was an important element of the conference

In conclusion

While the pace of aquatic science is gathering momentum from year to year, it does not appear that implementation of appropriate new technologies and other lessons learned are following at the same speed. The challenge for future conferences is to find ways and means of financing and encouraging better, well researched and more efficient pool water treatment systems which will require less chemicals and avoid undesirable DBPs. We should encourage and support the NSPF to continue to spread its influence and passion amongst all who love what they are doing for the aquatic industries.

And hopefully benefits will flow from their efforts to improve health and impart knowledge, so everyone can enjoy swimming in a safe environment.

The twelfth annual World Aquatic Health Conference is scheduled for October 7 to 9, 2015 in Scottsdale, Arizona at the Scottsdale Plaza Resort.

Contacts: nspf.org n

Some Nerve People lined up to buy Patty Chang Anker’s book Some Nerve, after a very inspiring motivational presentation entitled Lessons Learnt While Becoming Brave.

Her message was powerful and personal. Oprah.com called Some Nerve “downright inspiring”.

After listening to Anker, discussions about drowning, fear of water and encouraging people to swim for fun, fitness, and safety seemed all the more meaningful.

December 2014/January 2015 SPLASH! 67

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new products

Adding a touch of the tropics Aquatropica is the latest line of aquatic play equipment from Empex Watertoys .

The new line of interactive water features boasts a vividly colourful tropical theme with leafy flora and zany fauna including tropical trees and flowers, caterpillars and butterflies, bugs and snails, and monkeys and birds . All are intended to provide an exciting and unique water playground for kids up to the age of 12 . Interactive water play structures with slides are also available to create a dynamic tropical centrepiece to a waterpark .

Products have a lifetime corrosion warranty .

Contact: www .watertoys .com

Profits bouncing up

According to Adam Richards from MrTrampoline, Australian trampolines have much better bounce than imported varieties .

“The soft springy bounce of performance trampolines is a giant leap ahead of the hard bounce imports, and a great bounce keeps kids entertained for hours and is enjoyed by beginners through to budding Olympic super stars . Most importantly, a great bounce generates repeat business .”

The sweet sounds in your head

Sony was made famous by inventing the Walkman, the clunky cassette playing device that finally freed people from their stereo systems .

Nowadays, smaller is better and waterproof is best . So Sony has launched a 4GB Waterproof Walkman, designed to fit perfectly into human ears . The Waterproof Walkman is so lightweight and compact it’s easy to forget you’re wearing it until the playlist ends .

Made to Olympic competition parameters and adhering to Australian standards, the trampolines are strong, durable and suitable for all levels of skill . Amongst their many uses, they make a valuable dry amusement for public pools, waterparks and caravan parks .

It’s suitable for all occasions but is ideal for swimming . As it is also stylish, it can be worn commuting to work or going to a night club .

Additionally, its wireless and wearable design gives active music enthusiasts freedom to move around as they like .

Contact: www .mrtrampoline .com .au; (03) 9571 5711

Contact: www .sony .com .au December 2014/January 2015 SPLASH!

69

new products

Keeping warm in the great outdoors

Right now in the middle of summer it may be hard to imagine being cold sitting out by the pool, but it won’t be long before the cool air makes its unwelcome appearance, especially in the southern climes .

Real Flame has a new outdoor fire range to help ease the chill . The fires can be installed outside in a landscaped en-

New laminated filter

Focus Products has a new range of Evo media filters made from polyester resin and fibreglass, featuring a coloured gel coating . Focus says this results in a durable, reliable product with a high quality of finish and presentation .

The Evo:S650 is available with either a 40mm MPV or 50mm MPV . The laterals and all inner components are manufactured using the latest generation of plastic resins to give long term reliability . The filters come complete with an oil-filled pressure gauge and quality barrel unions .

vironment or in an alfresco area and are available in natural gas or LPG . They come in round 500mm & 700mm, square 450mm & 600mm; and rectangular 600mm x 400mm and 800mm x 400mm .

Contact: www .realflame .com .au; (03) 8706 2000

Saving tiles from cracking

Laticrete’s new Strata Mat is a high performance uncoupling underlayment for tile and stone floors as an alternative to cement backboard . Laticrete’s says it ensures the lasting beauty and functionality of tiled floors by preventing the main cause of cracked tiles – failure of underlayment boards .

It is suitable for exterior applications over concrete for patios and walkways, and for decks and terraces over unoccupied space .

The tank has a 10-year warranty for residential applications and a three-year warranty for commercial applications . The MPV, internals, barrel unions and pressure gauge have a 12-month warranty .

It is lightweight and easy to install, handle and transport . It is easily cut with utility knife or scissors – no saws are required and there is no dust generated .

Contact: 1300 1 FOCUS (36287)

Contact: www .laticrete .com .au; 1800 331 012

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SPLASH! December 2014/January 2015

NEW

~ POOL WATER SLIDES ~ POOL SPORTS ~ HAND RAILS ~ ~ WATERFALLS ~ DIVING BOARDS ~ JUMP ROCKS ~ ~ POOL-SPA TABLES ~ UMBRELLA STANDS ~

NEW

Budget priced chlorinator

Pentair says its FreeFlo salt chlorinator is both designed for the budget conscious pool owner and engineered to stand up to the toughest pool conditions, providing years of dependable service .

NEW

NEW

Its simple but reliable design features over temperature protection, over current protection, a high efficiency toroidal transformer, a premium grade titanium cell, a quality Panasonic timer, silicon controlled rectification, a high impact ABS plastic cell housing and an acrylic weather shield .

It provides very high chlorine production with low salt operation at 3500 to 4500ppm .

It is manufactured in Australia and has a five year limited warranty (three years on the power pack and cell, plus a further two years pro-rata on the cell) .

SUPPLYING AUSTRALIA WIDE TO ~POOL BUILDERS ~ POOL SHOPS ~ LANDSCAPERS ~ CALL: AQUA ACTION 1800 SLIDES www.aquaaction.com.au

Contact: www .pentairpool .com .au; 1300 137 344

Clog-free cleaning

Pentairâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new Rebel is a compact, two-wheeled pool cleaner which can manoeuvre from the depths to the shallows and up a 90 degree wall all the way to the waterline .

It has programmed steering and Pentair says that dirt and debris pass easily through its Sure-Flow turbine, reducing the clogging that has been known to occur with some other two-wheel cleaners .

It also has a quick-release latch for top access for easy serviceability .

Contact: Contact: www .pentairpool .com .au; 1300 137 344 December 2014/January 2015 SPLASH!

71

new products

Let the robot do it

We’re all aware in this industry of the benefits of robotic pool cleaners, but now there’s a new backyard robot in town: the Landroid robotic lawn mower .

The Landroid is a battery-operated, robotic grass-cutting machine capable of mowing areas up to 1000 square metres on a single charge . It’s as simple as marking out the Landroid’s territory with the supplied boundary wire, placing the charging station in an appropriate place, setting the cutting height, and putting your feet up while you watch it go to work .

The Landroid will patrol the yard, sensing and avoiding any obstacles while giving the lawn a neat trim . Also, with its centred blade and advanced sensory system, it will shut down if any of its four wheels aren’t on the ground, ensuring a high level of safety .

Contact: www .worx .com

Easing the sore muscles

If you’re feeling sore after your workout, the strains might be eased with Hotteeze . The company is run by Perth sisters Donna Burke and Jenny Denness who sell these ultra-thin, stick-on heat pads to help ease sore, tender or injured parts of the body .

Self-loading portable mixer

Hotteeze pads are generally available through physiotherapists, osteopaths, podiatry clinics and chemists, but are very useful for athletes such as swimmers . The product has recently been endorsed by the Australian Physiotherapy Association .

Landholdings Ltd needed a highly manoeuvrable, self-loading mixer that was capable of producing concrete to a tight specification using local screened aggregate sourced from beach areas in the vicinity of the construction site . They chose the Fiori supplied by Semco in Australia .

Hotteeze pads have iron, vermiculite and water inside . Once open, the filings react with oxygen in the air to create constant heat that lasts for 12 hours, and the pads are designed to stick to an inner layer of clothing to keep the heat exactly where it’s needed .

The mixer is a highly productive machine and while compact, its agility and stability as a four-wheel-drive vehicle with an articulated chassis and differential swivelling axle has made it suited to large-scale works in some of the world’s most demanding environments .

Contact: www .hotteeze .com .au

Contact: www .semcogroup .com .au; (02) 9833 6000

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SPLASH! December 2014/January 2015

Getting into tricky sites for a pour can be handled with a Fiori DB180 self-loading concrete mixer, as seen onthis Cook Islands job .

No more grass clippings

Here’s one lawn that doesn’t need to be mown by man, woman or robot . The Australian-manufactured Quantum 30 is especially ideal for pool areas, as it’s unaffected by chlorine and negates the old issues of grass clippings in the water and wet, muddy, slippery patches around the pool .

A growing number of pool owners and builders are looking toward an artificial solution to maximise pool area aesthetics . It is particularly useful in areas adjacent the pool itself, or in shade .

It has a 30mm dense pile, with a natural looking two-tone polyethylene multi-filament yarn which is both durable and comfortable . It has an easy cut and lay process and is fully UV protected .

Protect Pool, Protect Your Your Pool, Protect Kids Protect Your Your Kids View our online video showing common pool fencing faults and how to spot them at View our online video showing common pool fencing faults and how to spot them at www.kidshealth.chw.edu.au/projects/drowning-prevention/swimming-pool-fencing www.kidshealth.chw.edu.au/projects/drowning-prevention/swimming-pool-fencing

KIH1025/0811/SC KIH1025/0811/SC

Contact: www .surface-it .com .au; (02) 8324 1314; (07) 3041 4121

Jogging in the spa

The Jog Spa from Swim Spas Plus combines healthy activity with healthy soaking .

The wellbeing benefits of soaking in a spa have been well documented, and now you can go through an exercise regime at the same time . In imperial measurements, the spa is 8 feet 4 inches by 7 feet 4 inches by 3 feet 11 inches deep . You can jog against a resistance with two River Jets powered by two 5hp Viper pumps, and the horseshoe seat design features 50 jets in three strategic locations for therapeutic benefit . The spa comes with a steel frame, cover, steps, top and side controls, an 11kW heater, LED lights and fountains The Jog Spa is currently only for sale in the USA, but Swim Spas Plus are discussing terms with a company in Europe for exclusive rights, and want to hear if there is similar interest from Australia .

Contact: www .swimspasplus .com; vtulip@sbcglobal .net December 2014/January 2015 SPLASH!

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BioLab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Cordell (Reed Exhibitions) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71, 73 Davey Water Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

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Drizign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 Emaux Water Technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Expiry Date: __ __ / __ __ Signature: ________________________ Name:

___________________________________________________________________

Job Title:

________________________________________________________________

Company:

Empex Water Toys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Esam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Evolve Composites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

_______________________________________________________________

Focus Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .OBC

Address: _________________________________________________________________

Hayward Pool Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .IFC

Suburb/Town: _______________________ Postcode: ______________________ Ph:_______________________ Fax: _________________________________________

Hydrocare Pools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 International Quadratics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Laticrete . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Email: ____________________________________________________________________

Lincoln Pool Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Maytronics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47, 53

Yes! I wish to receive SplaSh! magazine

Ozone 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

Within Australia *

Pentair Aquatic Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

$AUD60.00 – 1 year, 6 issues $AUD96.00 – 2 years, 12 issues – Save 20% $AUD126.00 – 3 years, 18 issues – Save 30%

Pool Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Pool Ranger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

* Prices quoted include GST

Overseas Rates New Zealand $AUD62.00 – 1 year, 6 issues Asia Pacific $AUD75.00 – 1 year, 6 issues All Other Countries $AUD85.00 – 1 year, 6 issues We are committed to handling your personal information in

Pool Water Pool Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IBC Remco Australia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Solartech . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Spa Electrics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Sunbather . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Supreme Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

accordance with the privacy act.

Please Select one of the following: Yes

No - Please send me information about special

offers and or events from SPLASH! The Intermedia Group Pty Ltd ABN 94002583682 PO Box 55 Glebe NSW 2037. Fax back your subscription to: (+61) 2 8580 6312

Vendart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Waterco . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13, 35 Westmead Hospital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 Zeolite Australia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

www.intermedia.com.au or call 1800 651 422

Zodiac . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25, 38 74

SPLASH! December 2014/January 2015

AUSTRALIA’S LEADING POOL BUILDERS CHOOSE PARAMOUNT IN-FLOOR CLEANING SYSTEMS Paramount In-Floor Cleaning Systems offer you and your customers the perfect cleaning solution when working together to create the perfect outdoor oasis. Astonish your clients with the incredible effectiveness of an in-floor cleaning and circulation system.

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Pool-Water Products | P: 03 9873 5055 F: 03 9873 4746 | Email: info@poolwaterproducts.com.au www.poolwaterproducts.com.au