The Language of Plaster
Pool plastering veteran and instructor, Jon Temple, believes the industry needs to rethink its approach to the cementitious surface installation process. That transformation, he says, should start by changing some of the language used to describe how plaster and exposed aggregate finishes are formulated, placed and maintained. ...
Redefining Waterproofing: An Engineered Approach to Pool Longevity
Reliably holding water without leaks is the primary function of a watershape structure. Achieving that goal for the long run can be readily achieved using reinforced PVC membranes, an option proponents say can save existing pools and set up new structures for long-term success.   ...
Pacific Horizons
Steven V. DeBiasi has spent a career creating masterful landscape and watershape environments across the Pacific Ocean. Based in Honolulu with a business stretching island to island far west across the International Date Line, he shares the story of how he discovered success and adventure following distant waters.   ...
Finding the Art and Soul of Underwater Photography
From tranquil pools to vast oceans, few environments rival the immersive beauty of being underwater. For photographer Karyn Allard, that subaquatic world is a place of visual wonder, emotional reflection, artistic expression, and natural connection. In this personal essay, Allard shares her journey from childhood fascination with water to a lifelong creative pursuit that marries the quest for artistry, technical mastery, and emotional depth. ...
A Song of Breezes
Inspired by the legendary luxury and lifestyle of Acapulco, and a Ringo Starr song immortalizing the resort mecca, JC Escudero, reflects on the history and legacy that fuels dreams of ocean breezes, frothy drinks and sunshine. ...
Big Trouble with Harmful Algae
Confronting Harmful Algal Blooms have become a familiar part of aquatic life in lakes, reservoirs, rivers and oceanic estuaries. The problem has increased rapidly due to the point of impacting recreation, fishing, agriculture, and sometimes the water we drink. ...
Thursday Pools’ New NOOK Plunge Pool  
Thursday Pools offers The Nook, a compact take on plunge-pool luxury with a design that is luxurious and meets the demand for a compact, wellness-inspired pool.  Sporting a sleek footprint, built-in-steps and integrated bench seating, it brings full-feature functionality to compact spaces. This pool is 8ft-4inches wide x 16ft long with a 4-foot-8-inch depth and has wide entry steps and a built-in-bench.  The flat-bottom depth is great for lounging, light exercise or cooling off and taking a quick dip with ease, the company says.  Additionally, this pool does not require an oversized-load transportation permit for simpler delivery. Learn more here.
Magic Plastics offers Vibeproof Locking Union Technology
Magic Plastics is pleased to offer its patented Vibeproof Locking Union Technology created to prevent and avoid costly plumbing service calls. This technology incorporates a series of strategically placed scallops on the pump union nut and tailpiece so that hand-tightening of the nut will engage the lock, preventing the union from loosening or backing out during vibration to eliminate unnecessary service calls. Made from PVC or ABS and meets all ASTM standards and plumbing requirements, assemblies are available in a variety of configurations in 1”, 1½”, 2”, 2½” & 3” IPS sizes. Learn more here.
Automatic Pool Covers Offers New Cover Coping for Fiberglass Pools 
Automatic Pool Covers Inc. is now offering a new pool coping option specifically for fiberglass pools. These new coping kits have a flat bottom edge giving installers more flexibility when installing on fiberglass pool walls. Coping comes in two options, standard 22-foot lengths, allowing for fewer seams and coping clips. This new design was developed as a part of Automatic Pool Covers’ commitment to providing the safest automatic pool covers on the market, the company says. Learn more here.
Lessons Learned: Why Reinforcing Steel Doesn’t Belong in Cast-in-Place Coping
Cast-in-place coping can be used to create a wonderful, clean-looking edge treatments, but like all construction details on pools and other structures that hold water, what you don’t know can lead to problems. In this case, it might come as a surprise to some that “doing it right” means leaving out the steel. ...