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PHTA Announces Standard Revision of APSP-11 and Calls for Committee Participation

The PHTA announced the review and revision of ANSI/APSP/ICC-11 2019 American National Standard for Water Quality in Public Pools and Spas and has called for subject matter expert participation in the PHTA-11 Standard Writing Committee. Once formed, the committee will meet at least quarterly to review and consider revisions. Subject matter experts who would like to serve on the committee must be able to participate in the language drafting process and have an understanding of the current standard. Members will serve a 3-year term, which may be renewed. All stakeholders, including pool builders, manufacturers, testing labs, certifying bodies, pool designers, public health and building code officials, local municipalities, pool and spa operators, academics and service companies, are invited to apply to serve. Priority will be given to applicants from the various interest categories with experience using, applying and enforcing the ANSI/APSP/ICC-11 2019 standard. See also Interested parties who may not be subject matter experts or active users of the standard are encouraged to attend meetings as observers throughout the process. The committee will revise the standard to provide recommended minimum guidelines for the specifications for water quality parameters in public pools and spas. A commercial or public pool is defined as any pool, other than a residential pool, that is intended to be used for swimming or bathing and is operated by an owner, lessee, operator, licensee or concessionaire, regardless of whether a fee is charged for use. Completed application forms must be submitted to PHTA by Nov. 20. For more information, visit the Participate in the Process page, phta.org/standards or email PHTA program director of standards and technical services Genevieve Lynn at glynn@phta.org.

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Superior Wellness’ Rob Carlin Named a Top 50 Most Ambitious Business Leader

Rob Carlin, managing director of U.K.-based Superior Wellness, has been named one of The LDC Top 50 Most Ambitious Business Leaders for 2023. Created by investment partner LDC, part of Lloyds Banking Group, the recognition is given to leaders who are pushing for growth and building successful medium-sized businesses. See also “Under my leadership, I have expanded the portfolio of brands, reached out to prospects to grow the network and created a strong presence in the industry,” Carlin says. “I always want to be moving forward and to improve as a company. I’m not happy sitting still.” More information can be found at https://bit.ly/48TmMBd

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The Spa and Sauna Co. Expands to Las Vegas

The Spa and Sauna Co. announced its acquisition of Spas by Renee, a Las Vegas-based spa store founded by Casey and Renee Gibbs — who have been part of the spa industry since 1978. Scott and Shelley Clark, owners of The Spa and Sauna Co., have been involved in the hot tub industry for decades, and Shelley’s father — David Ingram — was a founder of Caldera Spas. Scott opened his first store, South Bay Spa & Sauna, in 1990 in San Jose. In 2002, the first store in the Reno area opened, and he started expanding to other cities in Nevada and California in 2013.

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Master Spas Unveils New Contrast Therapy Tub

Master Spas, a leading manufacturer of premium swim spas and hot tubs, announced the latest addition to its Michael Phelps Chilly GOAT Cold Tub lineup — the Valaris. This contrast therapy tub offers two separate bodies of water designed to redefine recovery and performance for athletes and wellness enthusiasts. Users can tailor the experience to their specific needs, using the hot tub side for relaxation and muscle tension relief or opting for the cold-water immersion side to reduce inflammation, improve circulation and accelerate recovery or combining the two sides as part of a contrast water therapy routine. See also Key features of the Valaris contrast therapy tub include dual water experiences, a 2.1 horsepower chiller, an energy-efficient therapy pump for warm water and 16 hydromassage jets for tension relief and muscle recovery. It retails for $13,995. For more information about the Valaris or the Master Spas Chilly GOAT Cold Tub line, visit www.chillygoattubs.com.

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PHTA Quarterly Pulse Report Shows Industry Growth

The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance released its first of a series of quarterly pulse reports. The results are from PHTA’s new quarterly industry survey that asks pool and spa executives about their company’s current and future performance. The report shows steady growth for the first half of 2023 and a promising outlook for the start of 2024. To begin the research program and develop a long-term measurement of performance, PHTA launched the Q1 and Q2 pulse surveys combined. More than 200 companies participated across all regions and sectors –—build, retail, service, maintenance and hot tubs. In the report, PHTA members and nonmembers reveal 48% of pool and spa companies saw a revenue increase year-over-year when comparing the second quarter of 2022 to the second quarter of 2023, with 19% seeing significant increases of 10% or more growth. Conversely, 34% saw declines and 18% remained largely unchanged. During this time, 86% of pool and spa companies maintained or increased staff to meet ongoing client demands that soared during the pandemic. “The numbers in our first quarterly pulse report confirm the anecdotal information we have been hearing from our members — that demand has slowed since the pandemic, but business seems to be returning to typical cyclical patterns,” says PHTA chairman of the board Charlie Claffey, president of Claffey Pools. “Rather than a negative trend, we see this as the predicted end of an unprecedented event — the pandemic — and we all expect performance to return to historical norms.” As the economy has slowed, backlogs for new pool and spa construction have declined. However, revenue from remodels increased for 59% of pool and spa companies, with 31% of respondents seeing revenue growth above 6% in the second quarter of 2023. Simultaneously, backlogs for pool remodels have increased for more than 43% of companies, with an additional 39% remaining largely unchanged. See also Of the service companies surveyed, 71% reported an increase in calls as well, while another 24% remained largely unchanged. The outlook for pool and spa companies over the next 12 months looks promising, with 68% of respondents anticipating revenue will remain the same or increase, according to the survey. The top two issues weighing on the minds of respondents are the economy, including inflation and interest rates and the ability to recruit and retain staff. The PHTA is currently conducting the quarterly pulse survey for the third quarter of 2023. It expects to have Q3 results by the end of November 2023. To participate and receive a customized benchmark report, go to phtainsights.com by Nov. 3. For more information, visit the PHTA Research Center or contact Amy Willer, PHTA’s associate director of marketing and communications, at awiller@phta.org or 703-838-0083 ext. 121.

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PHTA Announces 2023 Awards of Excellence Winners

MERIT A Oasis Pools and Outdoor Living, Midlothian, Texas A Oasis Pools and Outdoor Living, Midlothian, Texas Acuarium Piscinas & Spas, San José, Costa Rica Alka Pool Construction, Ltd., Burnaby, BC, Canada All Island Gunite Pools, Farmingdale, New York All Island Gunite Pools, Farmingdale, New York Almar/Jackson Pools, Inc., Jupiter, Florida Associated Pool Builders, Inc., Bismarck, North Dakota Aquarius Pools, Inc., Mandeville, Louisiana Backyard Paradise Luxury Pools, Montgomery, Texas Backyard Paradise Luxury Pools, Montgomery, Texas Baldree Pools, Orlando, Florida Baldree Pools, Orlando, Florida Baldree Pools, Orlando, Florida Bi-State Pool & Spa, O’Fallon, Missouri Cascade Custom Pools, Austin, Texas Chaikin Ultimate Pools, Long Island, New York Claffey Pools, Southlake, Texas Claffey Pools, Southlake, Texas Clearwater Pool and Spa, Inc., Livonia, Michigan Colley’s Pools & Spas, Hamburg, New York Cosgrove Custom Pools, Loomis, California Diffazur Piscines, Saint-Laurent-du-Var, France Diffazur Piscines, Saint-Laurent-du-Var, France Diffazur Piscines, Saint-Laurent-du-Var, France Diffazur Piscines, Saint-Laurent-du-Var, France Diffazur Piscines, Saint-Laurent-du-Var, France Diffazur Piscines, Saint-Laurent-du-Var, France Easton Pool & Spa, Inc., Easton, Massachusetts Green O’Aces Pools & Landscape, Las Vegas, Nevada Green O’Aces Pools & Landscape, Las Vegas, Nevada High-Tech Pools, Cleveland, Ohio Hucks Pool Company, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Ike’s Carter Pools, Fort Lauderdale, Florida Ike’s Carter Pools, Fort Lauderdale, Florida J&M Pool Company, Senoia, Georgia J Designs Pool & Spa, Inc., Los Angeles, California KrisCo Pools & Spas, Woodinville, Washington Liquid Evolution Pools, Scottsdale, Arizona Liquid Evolution Pools, Scottsdale, Arizona Living Water Custom Pools, Dallas, Texas Pool Patrol, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands Pool Rx, Carrollton, Georgia Pulliam Pools, Fort Worth, Texas Pure Design, Dallas, Texas Reliant Pools, Austin, Texas Riverbend Sandler Pools, Plano, Texas Riverbend Sandler Pools, Plano, Texas Rumo’s Pool & Spa, Sandy Springs, Georgia Silver Fox Contracting, Dubai, United Arab Emirates Silver Fox Contracting, Dubai, United Arab Emirates St. John Pools, Pearland, Texas Supreme Pools & Spas, Spring, Texas Swimming Pool Services, Waukesha, Wisconsin Texas Pools Inc., The Woodlands, Texas The Green Scene Landscaping & Swimming Pools, Chatsworth, CA The Green Scene Landscaping & Swimming Pools, Chatsworth, CA Venture Custom Pools, Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas

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NESPA Announces 2023-2024 Board Members

NESPA inducted its 2023-2024 board of directors at the association’s annual membership meeting in September. “We’re ready to tackle the challenges ahead and create new opportunities for our industry,” says Kyle Chaikin, the newly elected board president. “NESPA has a long history of helping our members succeed, and we’re committed to continuing that tradition.” The following members of the executive committee for the association were sworn into office: President Kyle Chaikin, Chaikin Ultimate Pools, Deer Park, New York Vice President Rob Romano, David Cooke Plaster Co., Norwalk, Connecticut Treasurer Isaac Keselman, Aqua Doctor, Inc., East Hanover, New Jersey Secretary Bob Blanda, Mill Bergen Pools, Brooklyn, New York Past President Julie Kazdin, Kazdin Pools Inc., Southampton, New York The board is also comprised of representatives from the Northeast Spa and Pool Association’s four chapters as well as directors at large. Directors At Large George Kazdin, Kazdin Pools & Spas Jeff McGalliard, Premier Pools & Spas Amy Rullo, BioLab Connecticut Chapter Michael Todd, Rainbow Pools & Construction Co. Bill Drakeley, Drakeley Pool Company, LLC Bob Russell, Glengate Company Rob Romano, David Cooke Plaster Co.See also Long Island Chapter Barbara Rizzi, Torts Group Ed Cohen, Chaikin Ultimate Pools Ken Barthman, Dunrite Leisure Pools Metro NY-NJ Chapter Robert Blanda, Mill Bergen Pool Center Isaac Keselman, Aqua Doctor, Inc. John Migliaccio, retired Penn-Jersey Chapter Sean Bishop, The Pool Experts, Inc. Sarah Garrahan, Blithe Sales Company Jeremy Hasbrouck, Hasbrouck Pool and Spa For more information about NESPA, emailinfo@nespapool.org or call 609-689-9111.

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Spa Parts Vortex Celebrates 15th Anniversary

Spa Parts Vortex, a wholesale distributor of spa and hot tub spares and parts based in the U.K., is celebrating its 15th anniversary in October. Spa Parts Vortex has planned a series of commemorative events and special promotions as a way to give back to the customers, partners, employees and suppliers who have supported its growth. “When I first created my little e-commerce store to sell a few spares to the end user, I didn’t for one minute envision the journey that lay ahead,” managing director Darren Waters says. “If the next 15 years are as good as the last, then there can be nothing other than great times ahead.”

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Balboa Water Group Partners with Master Spas on Clim8zone II

Helios Technologies, Inc., a global leader in motion control and electronic controls technology, announced its operating company Balboa Water Group has introduced the Clim8zone II technology. Master Spas has partnered with Balboa exclusively to use the technology for its Michael Phelps Chilly GOAT Cold Tubs. The Clim8zone II’s auto-smart mode uses artificial intelligence and sensors to automatically adjust the compressor speed while offering quiet accelerated heating or cooling of spa water. The result is a drastic reduction in the cost of maintaining the hot tub’s desired water temperature while using less energy. “Clim8zone II is about half the size of its first-generation counterpart and remains the most energy-efficient and cost-effective way to heat or cool the water of your spa,” says Josef Matosevic, president and CEO of Helios. “ See also Additional features and benefits of the Clim8zone II include: Functions at low ambient air temperatures (- 5°C/- 23ºF) in colder climates Variable speed compressor with smart algorithm Operates quietly at less than 45dBA Operates from the SpaTouch3 panel or remotely from smartphones Fully integrated with the BP Systems and uses the same spa heating pump as the spa’s traditional electric element heater Features a typical energy efficiency of five times a traditional spa heater and may reach up to 10 times in certain operating conditions, using less energy to keep the water hot One heat pump efficiency mode setting: auto smart mode as default, which features high energy-efficiency Allows the spa user to set the spa BP Control System to use the Clim8zone Heat Pump alone, the spa’s traditional electric element heater alone or both simultaneously 19.6 inches long, 19.5 inches wide, and 19.1 inches high

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Superior Wellness Releases 30-day Cold Water Therapy Study Results

Rob Carlin, managing director at Superior Wellness, partnered with TransformNow for a 30-day study in June 2023 to assess the benefits of using a Chill Tub before his daily workouts. Before starting the study, Carlin traveled to TransformNow’s Birmingham office to measure the following body levels: Inflammation levels: C-reactive protein, Erythrocyte sedimentation rate and interleukin-6 Testosterone levels: total testosterone test and free testosterone test Additional markers: cortisol levels, complete blood count, blood urea nitrogen and creatinine, liver function tests and lipid profile Subjective markers: energy levels, sleep quality and mood Bodyfat percentage Expiration lung volume test Carlin’s journey was documented through regular updates on social media, and he had the same series of tests done with TransformNow at the end of the 30-day study to compare the results, which indicated his: Inflammation decreased 22% from 9.06 to 7.06 mg/L Interleukin-6 decreased from 4.6 to 3.2 Testosterone levels increased by 16% from 12.20 to 14.20 nmol/L Cortisol levels were reduced by 24.9% from 533 to 400 nmol/L Rheumatoid factor decreased from

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Olympic Hot Tub’s 7th Annual Founder’s Event

Olympic Hot Tub kicks off its 7th Annual Founder’s Event in October, which honors founders Alice Cunningham and Blair Osborn and their legacy of giving. This year, Olympic Hot Tub is raising funds for Artist Trust, a nonprofit organization that supports and encourages individual artists of all disciplines in Washington state. “Alice and Blair, both brilliant businesspeople, were passionate about a number of worthwhile causes,” president Don Riling says. “The arts are incredibly vital, and they continue to struggle post-pandemic. It’s incredibly important to do what we can to help.” Olympic will donate a portion of each Hot Spring Spas, Endless Pools swim spas and Freeflow Spas sale toward the Founder’s Event goal of $18,000. See also Olympic encourages community members to donate directly to Artist Trust. “Our company has always been focused on the health and wellness of our customers,” Riling says. “This is not limited to our physical beings but includes the health of our spirit and creativity. We think that everyone deserves their own freedom of expression.”

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IPS Controllers Celebrates 15th Anniversary

IPS Controllers, a manufacturer and marketer of chemical automation controllers, is celebrating its 15th anniversary with a gift to customers. “In recognition of our customers’ loyalty to our products and our company, IPS Controllers announces a hold on all prices for the year 2024,” says Chuck Woolstenhulme, president of IPS Controllers. “This price freeze is our way of thanking our partners who have helped us grow and the role each has played in our journey thus far.” For more information about IPS Controllers and the product line, visit www.ipscontrollers.com.