Divine Brine: A Visit to the Maras Salt Mines
Salt and water are literally natural companions, defining the very nature of our natural world, and indeed our own human existence. Nowhere is that more evident than at a remote location in the Peruvian Andes known as the Maras Salt Mines, or "Salineras de Maras" where salt has been extracted from water for centuries, creating a landscape unlike any other. ...
Building the Atlantic City Show
George Kazdin has worked in the pool and spa industry for more than 50 years, and is one of the industry’s most experienced business leaders. A New York City native and founder of Kazdin Pool & Spa on Long Island, Kazdin has marched from the trenches to the boardroom. He was also instrumental in founding The Pool & Spa Show in Atlantic City. ...
Short-Term Rental Questions: Long-Term Answers?
Should pools at short-term rental properties be subject to commercial pool standards and codes? It’s a question that begs serious consideration, says Scott Cohen, given the nature of pools that are residential in scope and scale; but, in some respects, more like commercial watershapes in the way they are used. ...
Hayward Celebrates 100 Years with Watershape University Atlantic City Presentation
2025 marks a century of making swimming equipment for Hayward Pool Products. In celebration, and recognizing the intricate artistry and technical skill required to build pools that endure and delight, Watershape University (WU) and Hayward Pool Products are offering a special presentation of Essential Pool Construction at The Pool & Spa Show in Atlantic City.  ...
Voices of Vision
It’s hard to say goodbye. That’s been especially true this past year as the watershaping world bid final farewells to a remarkable group of industry leaders whose influence will no doubt live on. Their WaterShapes contributions featured here, we honor their lives and contributions with our hearts and sights set on tomorrow.    ...
Swimming in Gravy
Kevin Cobabe knows how to enjoy the good life. Among his favorite indulgences, gravy stands alone. A self-described gravy connoisseur, as well as an accomplished pool designer/builder, he sees a parallel between his favorite culinary pursuits and his work creating places devoted to liquid luxury. ...
Limestone Solutions
With the intensification of global climate change, reducing atmospheric and oceanic carbon dioxide levels has become a unifying pursuit that has given rise to innovative approaches. Including one based entirely on dissolved limestone to combat acidification. ...
Dream & Build
Great ideas aren’t worth much if they can’t be made into reality, says watershape builder, and fountain aficionado, Tony Giordano. That’s why taking a design idea and making it work with creative and commonsense solutions is where he finds the greatest satisfaction. Here’s a look at three seemingly simple projects where he applied surprisingly nuanced problem-solving to ensure the systems function as intended. ...
Supporting Military Veterans
Watershape University is proud to announce this year’s recipients of Grant’s Grants, a program supporting military veterans who are establishing careers in the pool industry. This year’s winners grew from two to four based on generous industry donations – and a wild ride on a mechanical bull. ...
Clear Water Perspectives
Convention and common practice often exist to be challenged, says Steve Kenny. In his quest to understand how to consistently achieve superior water quality, he has come to what he views as a watershed opinion – one that will directly challenge the industry’s assumptions about filtration technology. ...