Watershape University Names Eric Knight as New Executive Director
The Wolfpack is proud to announce that Eric Knight, vice president of education and training at HASA, Inc. and Orenda Technologies, has accepted a new role as executive director of Watershape University (WU). Knight has been with Orenda for the past nine years (including two years since the HASA acquisition of Orenda in March 2023). Since joining Orenda in 2016, the company has grown from a small specialty chemical manufacturer into one of the world’s leading brands for both water chemistry and swimming pool education. Eric was instrumental in the creation of the Orenda Calculator, blog, videos, Orenda Academy, and the Rule Your Pool Podcast. He has traveled extensively, teaching pool professionals new and innovative ways to think about pool chemistry. ...
Lessons Learned: Unclosed Encounter
In an effort to raise awareness about common jobsite missteps, Scott Cohen returns with his Lessons Learned series, which previously ran for several years on WaterShapes online resulting in Cohen’s book, The Candid Contractor. Here he dives back in with a simple look at the importance of closing the pool gate. ...
The Rhythm of Design
Designing beautiful outdoor spaces that feel welcoming and harmonious is oftentimes a matter of self-editing, says Kirk Bianchi. Here he delves into the design process with the idea of creating rhythm and visual balance, when making decisions about what to include and leave out. ...
Capturing the Scene
From years working a pool-service route, to a new direction as an architectural photographer focusing on custom pool projects, Danny Riley, has built a life and career at the water’s edge. Here he looks at the journey with an eye toward the art and craft of creating images that capture the experience of being there. ...
Ripple Effects: Pandemic-Era Pools
The pandemic may be in the rearview mirror, but its impact on the pool industry continues to be felt. Pools built too fast, by inexperienced contractors with lack of supervision, has led to a stream of construction defects and in some cases, costly litigation. ...
Built to Lead
As consumers trend toward smaller pools, and contractors seek streamlined installation solutions, custom designer/builder Mario Abaldo decided to start a line of prefab concrete pools, based on leading-edge engineering and manufacturing standards. ...
Firescaping: Designing Landscapes and Hardscapes to Reduce Fire Risk
The recent fires in Los Angeles have left behind widespread devastation. Implementing measures that help prevent fires and reduce their severity going forward is now at the forefront of landscape and pool professionals working in fire-prone areas. Here, Scott Cohen outlines the key features in “Firescaping”—the practice of creating spaces that do not burn. ...
Stainless Watershapes (Part I)
Stainless-steel vessels have dramatically increased in popularity over the past 20 years, observes Mark Holden and Jeff Freemen. That increase necessitates a greater understanding of the material, its advantages and, as important, the potential problems associated with the manufacturing process that can lead to catastrophic failures, litigation and expensive remediations. ...
Pool Concerns: After the Fire
It’s an ironic and unsettling sight: a swimming pool full of water on a property where the house has burned down. What to do with the water in fire’s immediate aftermath is a question that confronts both homeowners and their pool professionals.   ...
Poolside by CGT and Trevi Partner to Create Blue Stone Pool Liner
Poolside by CGT and Trevi have collaborated to create the ‘Blizzard’ pool liner pattern that uses rich hues of deep blue color in a design that imitates the look of natural stone. The pattern gives the pool a textured look reminiscent of blue slate. The deep blue pool liner pattern that is printed on a dramatic marine blue film giving the pattern an intense, vivid color that amplifies the color intensity of the pool water. Learn more here.