Professional Watershaping
Although this project was developed and installed back in 2014, it remains one of Kevin Cobabe’s personal favorites for a handful of unusual and special reasons he explains here. Featured in Sunset Magazine's “Idea House” program, the property gained widespread attention with a design that was most certainly ready for its close up.
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Artificial rock can be used to great effect across a spectrum of watershape settings, especially when the design is inspired directly by nature, explains Bruce Riley. Case in point, this elaborate project is designed to recreate the magic of cenotes, the legendary watery caves of the Yucatan peninsula.
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(May 19, 2022, Solana Beach, Calif.) Watershape University is happy and proud to announce the addition of Charlie Raphael, who will serve as Director of Certification and Licensing
He joins the “Wolfpack” as WU continues to develop and promulgate education programs and accreditation for the design, construction and engineering segments of the watershaping industry.
Raphael previously served as director of online education and certification at The Pool and Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA), a position he held since October, 2020. A 15-year veteran of professional education, licensing, certification, marketing and communication, from 2017 to 2020, he was director of education for RESNA, a not-for-profit interdisciplinary membership association for the advancement of globally recognized assistive technology professional certifications, among a variety of other key position across a spectrum of organizations.
Raphael is a 1990 graduate from George Mason University Department of Communication with a Bachelor’s degree in mass communication and media studies, where he was also on the men’s soccer team. He is a licensed credentialing professional from the International Credentialing Institute.
“I’m thrilled to join the Watershape University team,” he said. “My 20-plus-year journey has led me through public, private, minority owned and not-for-profit organizations of all sizes and industries. I look forward to my role developing and promoting licensing based on the WU curricula.”
“Certification and licensing are keys to elevating the watershaping industry,” added Dave Peterson, co-founder of WU. “Charlie will play an important role in advancing the cause of education in our industry.”
For more information contact Watershape University Co-Founder, David Peterson, P.E., IWI ([email protected])
About Watershape University:
Watershape University is an IACET-approved provider of quality instruction -- live and online -- targeting the business of watershaping with design, engineering and construction programs for students of all levels in the pool, spa, aquatics and outdoor living sectors. WU supports and promotes the use of recreational and decorative water through accredited education and fosters a greater understanding of the benefits and value of aquatic activities and lifestyle.
Once derided as “baggies,” pools with vinyl liners have now taken their place in the world of custom watershaping, due to the flexibility of shape and wide spectrum of patterns, colors and textures. This beautiful remodel stands as a perfect example, says Columbian watershaper, Christophe Garces.
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As live events continue to come back into our lives, Watershape University is bringing top-shelf education to watershapers of all categories coast-to-coast with both essential and advanced offerings. Next up, the Wolfpack is heading west to beautiful northern California for an in-person presentation of Essential Pool Construction.
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The concept of the “middle class” pool has changed, dramatically so in some ways, largely due to a set of generational and economic shifts that are directly impacting watershape designers and builders. Success in today’s market, says JC Escudero, means understanding the values and motivations of younger consumers, and the world in which they live.
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For situations where space is tight, turning to stainless steel basins can be the best call, explains Dave Peterson. This structural wall detail can also be used to make a clean aesthetic statement, by bringing the water right up to surrounding hardscape.
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For anyone working with water chemistry, the pH scale is key to understanding a range of factors, from mineral saturation to the effectiveness of chlorine. It is essential to understanding water as the so-called “universal solvent” and the management of watershapes of all types. What many may not realize, however, is that this all-important chemical convention resulted from experimentation with beer.
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As wild fires increase with frequency and intensity year after year, the idea of using swimming pool water to fight fires is gaining ground with many homeowners and general contractors. This simple detail enables firefighters to quickly access water that would otherwise be unavailable when it could be needed most.
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Watershape University encompasses a range of educational ideals and attributes that we believe set us apart from other educational resources focused on constructing swimming pools and other types of decorative and recreational water. We take pride in working to be the best at helping others raise their sights and up their game.
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