Records crash at SPLASH!

The records tumbled almost as much as the rain this year at the SPLASH! Pool & Spa Trade Show on the Gold Coast. The event reinforced its stature as the leading trade show for the wet industry in Australasia.

The very heavy rainfall ensured even greater attendance from pool builders, pool shop owners and pool technicians. The trade show attracted a record 2287 registered visitors, representing an increase of 30 per cent over buyer numbers from 2008.

A noticeable trend this year was the increase in overseas visitors, with significant increases in buyers from New Zealand, Thailand and the USA.

In addition to the record buyer attendance, other events during the week attracted greater participation. The SPLASH! Environmental Awards drew substantially more entries than in 2008, and a group of more than 170 attended the Awards dinner with guest speaker Stephen Bradbury. Bradbury’s “last man standing” auction achieved a winning bid of $9000, with proceeds going to the Hannah Foundation.

Education was at the forefront of the week. International guests Genesis 3 gave a series of workshops and seminars that received rave reviews. The Queensland branch of the Australian Leisure Facilities Association (ALFA) held its inaugural conference alongside SPLASH! and according to president Stephen Butler, there are hopes the conference will grow at future shows.

Interpoint Managing Director, Simon Cooper says that the success of the 2010 event is going to be hard to beat.

“Record exhibition and visitor attendance indicates that the pool and spa industry is emerging strongly from the GFC,” he says. “On the show floor there was a sense of cautious optimism – with strong support for the Environmental Awards and the Andrew Simons Golf Day.”

Interpoint Events also announced the launch of a new show for the Asia market, which will take place in Singapore from 4-5 May 2011.

Profit jump for Waterco

Reduction of losses in North America and steady trading in Australasia saw Waterco post a $3.7m after tax net profit, up 63 per cent on the previous financial year.

Australasian sales growth only accounted for a one per cent increase, but further profitability was achieved through restructuring and better foreign exchange management.

Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT) of $6.62 million before unrealised foreign exchange adjustments and goodwill impairment for the year compares favourably with $5.11m reported the previous period.

“This is a good result for a difficult trading year, with current uncertainties globally, particularly in Europe and a mild recovery in the USA. While forecasts were met, results were hampered and would have been significantly better under normal trading conditions,” says Soon Sinn Goh, Chief Executive Officer, Waterco Ltd.

“While revenue was generally flat, margins were retained and strengthened in some areas from the elimination of products with poor profitability,” says Goh. “We are positive that there will be more improvement ahead, particularly in North America.”

SPLASH! winners announced

Jadan looks to new manufacturer

Aquatic Leisure Technologies (ALT), the owner of the Jadan Spas brand, is currently in negotiations with major spa manufacturers to secure a new manufacturing arm of their spa business. Jadan Spas are marketed both in Australia and overseas.

Since the recent demise of the Maax Spa Australia manufacturing business, Jadan Spas has had to look elsewhere to produce their range of spas.

ALT Executive Director, Ben Beale, says that Maax Spa's manufacturing business being forced into receivership has allowed ALT to move quickly to negotiate with other manufacturers.

"To date, our discussions have been very positive and our aim is to continue to provide first class spas under our very strong Jadan Spas brand," he says. "We have recently introduced new models to the range and to date these spas are proving very popular, so it's important for this manufacturing change to be seamless."

Jadan Spas, apart from selling the Jadan range, are also the sole distributors for American imported LA Spas and Sundance Spas in Western Australia.

Quick Links – August/September 2010

Each issue, splashmagazine.com.au provides Quick Links so you can find more information on a topic or access important downloads. Here are the Quick Links mentioned in the printed edition of SPLASH! August/September 2010.

For the full list of Australian Apprenticeship skill shortage trades (p19).

For more information on the Franchise Code (p19)

For more information about the World Aquatic Health Conference art show (p13).

Pool cover guidelines (p22).

Peter Freeman's summary of HWI changes (p24).

The GAVA awards (p35).

To download the Laticrete manual (p42).

The EU standard (EN 15649) for inflatables distributed by the European Standardization office (p70).

Maax Spa goes under

For more information contact Steve Smitting at Cor Cordis on (03) 8320 5600 or email smitting@corcordis.com.au.

New poolcover guidelines

NSPI joins SPLASH! Asia

The National Swimming Pool Institute (NSPI) has joined Pentair as sponsors of SPLASH! Asia.

SPLASH! Asia will make its debut in Singapore from May 4-5, 2011. It is expected to attract about 40 to 50 exhibitors and approximately 800 to 1000 attendees. One of the key drawcards will be the popular educational seminar program, and Interpoint will bring international speakers from America and Australia.

David Close says that NSPI is very pleased to be associated with SPLASH! Asia.

“In providing the largest co-ordinated series of pool industry events in the Pacific Rim (Gold Coast, Auckland and Singapore), SPLASH!, supported by a large Pacific circulation, professionally produced industry magazine,  provides an unparallel networking platform which brings the whole of the Australasian pool and spa industry together on a regular basis. Both SPASA Queensland and NSPI Australia have received the benefits from participation and sponsorship.”

For more information call Melanie Robertson on +61 2 8586 6115 or email melanie@intermedia.com.au.

Quick Links - June/July 2010

Each issue, splashmagazine.com.au provides Quick Links so you can find more information on a topic or access important downloads. Here are the Quick Links mentioned in the printed edition of SPLASH! June/July 2010.

For the Chemical Security website mentioned in the p9 article Pool Shops Targeted in Anti-Terrorism Campaign, click here.  

For a copy of the Griffith University study into franchise conflict mentioned in the p18 article Honesty Key for Friendly Franchisees, click here.

For NSW Fair Trading’s improved online service for checking home building licences mentioned on p18, click here.

For a copy of the abstract of Hermundur Sigmundsson and Brian Hopkins’ research into motor skill development for swimming babies, mentioned in the p24 story Swimming Babies Are Better Balanced, click here.

Update on pool pump efficiency

Pool pump efficiency labelling under the Equipment Energy Efficiency (E3) Program is now likely to become mandatory in October 2011. This program is aimed at regulating the sale of pool pumps to ensure first, that only pumps meeting minimum energy-efficient standards are sold; and second, to encourage the purchase of the most environment-friendly models.

The Federal Government has identified swimming pool pumps as major users of household energy, and as such they are being targeted for energy efficiency measures by the Australian and New Zealand energy efficiency regulatory agencies under the E3 Program. The E3 Program has recently introduced voluntary energy rating labelling for pool pumps. Suppliers of pool pumps can now label their products with the familiar red and yellow energy rating label.

In homes with pools, the pool pump is the single largest emitter of greenhouse gases, unless there is an electric hot water heater present. It uses more electricity than the combined electricity consumption of a clothes dryer, clothes washer and dishwasher.

The ultimate aim of this program is to ensure that only efficient pumps are put on the market, and that pumps for sale are labelled with a star rating (similar to the star ratings currently used for whitegoods) so that consumers are aware of the more efficient pumps.

The standard label will have six stars, but pumps deemed “super efficient” will have a slightly different label going up to ten stars.

The scheme is tied to the recently published standard, AS5102 - 2009 Performance of Household Electrical Appliances—Swimming Pool Pump-Units – which comprises two parts:

- 5102.1 Part 1: Energy consumption and performance
- 5102.2 Part 2: Energy labelling and minimum energy performance standard requirements.

This standard defines the scope of swimming pool pumps targeted by the voluntary scheme. All single-phase pump-units that are capable of a flow rate of 120l/min or greater and input power of 2.5kW or less will be affected.

The voluntary program will also assist suppliers in transitioning to mandatory minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) and labelling, expected to be launched in October 2011.

Click here for more information.

Government focus on pool shop security

Home warranty scheme commenced

Changes to the NSW Home Warranty Insurance Scheme came into effect on July 1.

Tender specifications for operating the scheme, underwriting procedures and arrangements for premium pricing have now been finalised.

Home warranty insurance provides cover to consumers of up to $300,000 in circumstances where their builder is no longer capable or willing to complete a project or rectify defective work.

The new model will be underwritten by the Government and fully funded by premiums. It will be managed by Treasury through the Self Insurance Corporation and operated by the private sector (by way of a competitive tender) for the provision of services in relation to the issue of project certificates, collection of premium and claims handling.

Underwriting criteria will be determined by the Government acting on the advice of the Home Warranty Insurance Scheme Board and with building industry input.

Cover for building projects already issued by insurers will remain in force for the duration of the policy, allowing consumers to make claims where necessary.

Vero, QBE and Calliden have agreed to provide eligibility to existing and new builders up to 30 June 2010 in line with their current underwriting criteria.

It is proposed that builders who currently have eligibility with one of the three existing insurers will be transferred to the Government scheme automatically, with no changes to their existing eligibility profile. Builders will be notified in writing of the transfer.

The exception is builders who have provided security to their insurer. These builders will be contacted separately and given information about transferring to the Government insurer. Builders will not be asked to provide bank guarantees under the new scheme.

Builders who have obtained eligibility through a ‘managed’ builder program will have ongoing eligibility subject to them continuing to use the services of an approved ‘managed’ builder program provider.

Brokers will continue to process applications for certificates of insurance, which should keep disruption to a minimum.

A builder who requires eligibility will still need to lodge an application through a broker. These applications will be assessed by a fund agent on behalf of the Government.

The Government also intends to offer a ‘managed’ builder program, both to new builders and to existing builders who have had difficulty getting eligibility because of low equity in their business. Under the program, builders would have their contracts and costings for a job reviewed, and inspections would be carried out for quality assurance.

Builders who are currently unable get cover insurance should contact NSW Fair Trading on 13 32 20.

To read Peter Freeman's summary of changes click here:

Peter Freeman's summary of HWI changes.
 

Swimming babies are better balanced

Iceland is not the first country you think of for swimming research. However, a new study conducted there has shown that commencing swimming at the earliest possible age improves motor skills not only in water-based activities, but also in land-based activities.

Hermundur Sigmundsson, a professor of psychology at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) together with Brian Hopkins, a professor of psychology from Lancaster University, conducted the research in Sigmundsson’s home country of Iceland. The study involved comparing 19 baby swimmers against a control group of 19 children who had not participated in baby swimming. The only factor that separated baby swimmers from the control group was swimming. All other factors, such as the parents’ education, housing and economic status, were the same.

The baby swimmers had participated in swimming classes for two hours a week from the age of 2-3 months until they were about 7 months old. A typical session might involve helping the baby do a somersault on a floating mat, having the baby dive under water, jump from the pool edge, and balance on the hand of a parent while reaching to pick up floating objects.

At approximately age 5, both baby swimmers and the control group were tested with similar exercises. The exercises included walking on tiptoes, balancing on one foot, skipping rope, rolling a ball into a goal and catching a beanbag. The results were crystal clear, the researchers say.

“We saw very clearly that baby swimmers were the best in exercises that related to balance and the ability to reach for things,” says Sigmundsson. “Water is as important to Icelanders as snow is for Norwegians. A typical Icelander swims on average once or twice a week, and there is great deal of interest in baby swimming. I know an instructor who has been teaching baby swimming for 20 years. He had a great deal of information about children who have participated in swimming courses. So it was natural for us to conduct the study in Iceland.”

Sigmundsson says he was overwhelmed by what the instructor was able to get the babies to do. “The instructor was able to bring three-month-old babies right up to a balanced position, standing on his palm. The babies locked joints – it was amazing to watch.

“It’s incredibly exciting that specific training for young babies has an effect later in life. Development is a dynamic interplay between maturation, growth, experience and learning. Our study shows that we must never underestimate the learning aspect.”

The study was published in the May 2010 issue of Child: Care Health and Development.

Citation: Sigmundsson, H. and B. Hopkins. 2010. Baby swimming: exploring the effects of early intervention on subsequent motor abilities, Child: Care Health and Development. 36:3, 428-430. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2214.2009.00990.x 

For more information go to www.ntnu.no/english.

SPLASH! appoints new sales manager

Karen Jaques has been appointed National Sales Manager for SPLASH!. She will sell across all SPLASH! media, including the magazine, website, eNews and trade directory; as well as all SPLASH! trade shows.

Karen is highly experienced in advertising sales for both magazines and newspapers, and has most recently worked as advertising manager for top pool and spa consumer titles Poolside and Poolside Showcase, as well as landscaping title Outdoor Design Living.

She has spent more than 20 years working in print media advertising, including seven years with News Limited as Group Sales Manager for Community Newspapers, and was also Sales Director at Regional Press Australia for three years. She worked as Advertising Manager for Country Looks magazine, Newsnet and the Sunday Times in Perth, as well as working for Fairfax as Deputy Advertising Manager on the Sydney Morning Herald and Agency Manager for the Sun Herald. Additionally, she has advertising agency experience.

Simon Cooper, publisher of SPLASH! magazine and organiser of the SPLASH! trade shows says he is very pleased she is joining the SPLASH! team.

“We have a very professional and close knit team at SPLASH!, and Karen has already fitted in admirably. Her extensive experience in advertising sales is highly valued, as is her specific knowledge of the pool and spa industry. On top of that, she is enthusiastic and professional – a perfect combination for a successful sales manager.”

As well as her confessed passion for print media, Karen has a passion for renovating: she has renovated three homes and is on her fourth in Sydney’s vibrant Inner West. She is reportedly more than capable with a plaster trowel and can tile, lay bricks and has been known to successfully carry out plumbing tasks.

For more information contact:
Karen Jaques
National Advertising Manager
Phone: (02) 8586 6135
Mobile: 0425 325 742
Email: kjaques@intermedia.com.au

International experts coming to Gold Coast

Three of the most well-known and respected experts in the field of swimming pool design and construction, Skip Phillips, David Tisherman and Brian Van Bower, will be heading to Australia to take part in SPLASH! on the Gold Coast on July 28 and 29.

As co-founders of Genesis 3, they are recognised internationally as playing a major role in professionalising the industry, introducing the concept of “Watershaping” to swimming pool design, and generally raising the bar in terms of creative design and construction.

“We are excited to return to the SPLASH! show,” says Brian Van Bower. “After having presented there in 2001 for Carol Benger. We view the pool industry from a global perspective and see the potential for sharing ideas and knowledge from all points of view.”

Genesis 3 has presented programs in Germany, France, Italy, Indonesia, Spain and many other countries. In addition they have organised educational tours of water related architectural projects worldwide.

“Our students come from all areas and backgrounds but come together with a shared passion for becoming better in design, renovation, service and construction of water-related projects,” he says.

The SPLASH! program will include “The Beauty of the Edge: Vanishing Edges, Perimeter Overflows and Wet Deck Projects” by Skip Phillips, considered by many to be the leading authority on these applications. The program will also include David Tisherman’s “Understanding the Elements of Renovation”.

Genesis 3’s participation at SPLASH! is sponsored by Pentair.

Click here for more information, 

At last – action on pool safety standards

It’s still in its infancy, but changes to swimming pool safety standard AS1926.3 are in motion.

Good news has finally arrived on the long running saga that is the story of revising the Australian Standard 1926.3-1993 Swimming pool safety - Water recirculation and filtration systems.

As the name suggests, this standard has not been touched since 1993 despite a series of tragic entrapment incidents.

For more than a year, SPASA NSW CEO Spiros Dassakis has been lobbying on behalf of the members for revisions of the safety standard. He put forward a proposal to Standards Australia and personally wrote to the Prime Minister and “every relevant government minister in the country”.

“Following the coroner’s findings into the death of Shannon Rankin, the ministers started to write back,” he says.

Now, after many years of demands, it looks like a review will be happening.

The standards committees CS034 and CS059 have unanimously agreed that SPASA’s proposal be “nutted out”. Importantly, this process will be funded by Standards Australia themselves, which is contrary to their more recent policy of fee-for-service.

Dassakis has expressed particular pleasure at this aspect of the process, as he says NSW members have already paid a great deal of money towards the revision, through his own time spent lobbying for change, and going through reams of paperwork and meetings to get the draft project proposal considered.

There is still more time to be spent, however, as he has to address issues referred to in the Building Code of Australia (BCA).

“Because 1926.3 is referenced in the BCA, I need to do a preliminary impact statement – getting the data on entrapment as the basis on which the standard will be changed,” he says.

This is a difficult and complex process, which he needs to complete to a tight timeline to meet the 2011 BCA deadline. Regardless of this, the standard will be changed, he says, and if it doesn’t make the 2011 BCA, it will make the 2012 BCA.

“It’s been a long time coming,” he says. “Standards are supposed to be living documents, reflecting changes in circumstances and technology, but this standard hasn’t been changed for seven years!”

One of the important aspects of the proposed revised standard will be to move away from a prescriptive approach to performance-based approach. This is an issue that has attracted considerable coverage in SPLASH! since 2006, with many experts commenting on the need for changes, including a move to a more performance-based.

"The result of these changes is that suction covers will be much safer,” says Dassakis.

“We are very proud of our technical team at SPASA NSW and the fact that the board and members all supported it, despite the time and money we needed to put into it. We also had assistance from other SPASAs, in particular Cal Stanley from Western Australia and Rob Portbury and Des Berry from Victoria.

“I believe as well as making pools safer, these changes will be of long-term benefit to the industry across Australia.”

Picture shows Richard Gedz describing the proposed changes at a recent SPASA meeting.

Coffs to get $5.4m Myrtha refurb

The leak-ridden War Memorial Olympic Pool will soon be bright, new and beautiful, thanks to Coffs Harbour City Council awarding a $5.4m contract to Coffs-based Swimplex Aquatics for a major upgrade.

Based on a design brief by Facility Design Group Architects, the upgrade involves renovating the 50m pool to FINA length standards with wet deck collection gutters; adding new soiled water and filtered water reticulation to the 50m pool; adding compliant sand filtration plant for the 50m pool; adding a multi-function indoor heated 25m pool and plant; building a children’s splash pad with interactive water toys; modernising the change rooms, management and kiosk facilities; building a concrete grandstand; and adding a variety of modern shade structures.

A philanthropic donation from Barbara Hogbin and the late Allen Hogbin helped secure the project, in addition to government, trust and council funds and loans.

Swimplex Aquatics won the design and construct tender based on the use of the Myrtha Pool construction system. Myrtha technology consists of pre-engineering the pool from stainless steel panels with a durable heat bonded PVC surface. More than 60 Myrtha commercial pools now in Australia, including Orange, Forbes, Cobar, Young and Port Pirie.

John Dangerfield from Swimplex says they renovated their first 50m pool in 1993 at Richmond Air Force Base, and since then have embraced the system and even invented technologies to aid the process.

“The Myrtha product is continually evolving to the point where the company is now recognised as the official world-wide partner of FINA,” says Dangerfield. “When we do a major pool site upgrade for one council, the surrounding councils tend to get jealous – so look out Port Macquarie, Kempsey and Grafton!”

Work will start on the Coffs Harbour project in April and is expected to be completed in time for the start of the next swimming season. Major works on the council’s two other pools at Woolgoolga and Sawtell have been ear-marked for next year.

Quick Links - February/March 2010

Each issue, splashmagazine.com.au provides Quick Links so you can find more information on a topic or access important downloads. Here are the Quick Links mentioned in the printed edition of SPLASH! February/March 2010.

Don Bullock’s free electronic program for the filtration, pumping and hydraulic design of Community pools in high and low rise apartment complexes. (From p9)

The APVMA Gazette, where you will find new information on the Cost Recovery Impact Statement (CRIS) when it becomes available. (From p11)

Archicentre’s Australia-wide poll which shows, amongst other things, that 42% of the renovation jobs which included an outdoor component also included a pool. (From p12)

The NSW Innovation Advisory Service’s Ausinvent website to help small business owners and operators who are inventors, entrepreneurs and innovators to commercialise their ideas. (From p12)

Downes Nursery’s online chat service so builders and landscapers can quickly choose the right plants. (From p13)

Laticrete’s new comprehensive technical manual to provide guidelines and recommendations for the design, specification and installation of tile, stone or glass mosaics in swimming pools, fountains, water features and spas.

Downes Nursery’s online chat service so builders and landscapers can quickly choose the right plants. (From p70)

Yarra pool in pipeline

A Melbourne consortium is proposing to build a swimming pool cantilevered over the Yarra River near the Melbourne Aquarium. It would be adjacent to the tourist district and would also have immediate access for office workers and high rise residents in the central business district (CBD).

It is proposed the pool would occupy a site on the banks of the Yarra River near to and west of the aquarium and would cover approximately 20 per cent of the existing public space at Batman Park.

The proposed public complex provides for an open air 35m x 25m swimming pool, a learn-to-swim and training pool, spa pools, a gym, café, hydrotherapy and massage facilities as well as secure storage, showers and repair amenities for city bike riders.

Rejuvenated parkland for family picnics and leisure in an indigenous-inspired filtered garden and wetlands area would occupy the remaining 80 per cent of the public space surrounding the facility.

A Melbourne consortium, Birrarung Pools & Melbourne LifeForm Development, has prepared the proposal. Grant O’Donnell, principal of the consortium, says the proposal incorporates some of the most advanced environmentally sustainable development processes (ESD) yet applied in Australia.

“The architecture, engineering and building processes will be a catalyst for balancing energy usage with urban ecology through energy capture, water capture and leading edge innovation in sustainable development,” he says.

“In effect we will harness water and energy from the precinct to sustain, nourish and enhance the adjoining parkland and public space.”

O’Donnell says that before progressing the complex architectural, engineering and ESD planning needed for such a project, they undertook extensive consultation with their city neighbours, and are in discussions with the City of Melbourne and State Government departments.

Artist’s impression courtesy of LAB Architecture Studio

Coroner finds spa death was preventable

Deputy NSW State Coroner Paul MacMahon has found the tragic death of Shannon Rankin in a 2006 entrapment incident in Forster was avoidable.

He found that the action or inaction of the pool and spa builder, A1 Pools & Spas, contributed to her death by placing the main drain in the floor of the spa.

He also found pool interior contractor, Pebble Pave Pool Interiors Pty Ltd, contributed to her death by failing to prevent waste material entering the drain – where it solidified and restricted water flow. The pipe below the main drain of the spa was blocked by sand, dirt and cement used in the pebblecreting of the spa, intensifying the pressure holding the 11-year-old girl to the suction under the water.

The incident occurred on March 25, 2006 in the pool spa at the Sevan Apartments, Forster on the NSW mid-north coast. The girl was trapped against the drain by water pressure estimated at 350kg. The effort of three adults failed to pull her free, and she drowned.

The deputy coroner said the tragedy was magnified by the fact that her death was avoidable.

He did point out that there was no credible evidence to suggest any person or persons had actual knowledge of the danger that existed in the spa.

The deputy coroner recommended the NSW government ban the installation of drains in the floor of spa pools in future constructions, and that an independent expert should certify that pools and spas are compliant with statutory requirements before they can be used.

He also said that the public should be informed through the media of the potential dangers associated with existing drains in the floors of spas.

Shannon’s parents, David and Donna Rankin, said that more pool and spa drownings would occur unless there was an industry overhaul.

David Rankin said that it was critical that the pool and spa industry takes the lead in implementing changes to eliminate safety shortfalls, and that the new processes are underpinned by legislation.

Poolside expands into South Pacific

Poolside will open its first store outside of Australia and New Zealand with an agreement to open a store in Suva, Fiji. The store will also be Poolside’s 50th after four new stores opened in the past 12 months.

The first Poolside store opened in early 2000 and since this time the network of stores has grown rapidly with many BioGuard stores rebranding to Poolside.

The establishment of Poolside in Fiji is being backed by the Carpenter Group, which has interests in motoring, hardware, supermarkets, shipping, finance and property.

The Suva store is set to open in February/March and could be followed by other stores throughout Fiji and the South Pacific.

Architects see trend for pools

A recent Archicentre poll on residential trends shows that swimming pools are a popular element of domestic renovations. Archicentre polled 900 architects across the country and their response was that of all the outdoor renovation jobs on their books at that time, 42% of them included a pool.

For the results of the poll click here (PDF 2MB).

Aussie kids still love swimming

Following positive data from the Exercise, Recreation and Sport Survey (ERASS) covered in the previous issue of SPLASH!, new data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) in a report titled Children’s Participation in Cultural and Leisure Activities (CPCLA) has confirmed not only that Australians love sport, but that kids love swimming.

Sunbather sponsors Environmental Awards

Hot water and healthy living

One of the highlights of the recent SPLASH! New Zealand trade show was Tom Lachocki’s animated and heartfelt breakfast talk. Part of the focus of his talk was the Hot Water & Healthy Living booklet published by the National Swimming Pool Foundation.

The booklet explains how the simple act of immersion in hot water helps create healthier bodies, hearts, minds and lifestyles.

It translates science into language for the general consumer and is based on interviews with leading scientists and more than 25 scholarly research publications. It is authored by Dr JB Smith of Indiana University, Pennsylvania.

Lachocki is a passionate advocate for the industry, and believes this book should be used as a sales tool for all spa retailers and pool builders.

“Prior to this, our industry had not had the science that explains how hot tubs improve our health, and the benefits had not been communicated to society,” he says.

This well-written and beautifully illustrated book has six chapters, with a bibliography of scientific references, scientific charts and colour photographs.

The 36-page, four-colour book is available at www.nspf.org for $US10.95 per book. Quantity discounts are available by contacting media@nspf.org.

SPLASH! has some copies of Hot Water & Healthy Living to give away.

For a chance to win, email: splashcomp@intermedia.com.au. In the subject line write “SPLASH! Online Competition – Hot Water & Healthy Living”. In the body of the email write how many scholarly research publications formed the basis of the publication. In the body of the message also include your name and address.

Male swimmers live longer

Pool mums feel less pain