Education in the Islands – Hawaii

September 8, 2025

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September 13, 2025

Make Waves in Your Career

Watershape University is thrilled to bring its industry-elevating courses to the beautiful islands of Hawaii. This exciting expansion offers a unique opportunity for local professionals to access world-class education without leaving the state. It’s also an incredible chance for students and professionals from the mainland to learn in one of the most inspiring and scenic locations in the world. Whether you’re looking to sharpen your skills or start a new career path, Watershape University in Hawaii is where expertise meets paradise.

Early Bird Special:

Enroll in any course (10% off) before July 31!

An immersive week of industry-elevating courses.

Sept 8 (Monday)

1:00 PM – 5:00 PM

BUSINESS 3123: Documenting and Standardizing Business Operations

0.4 CEUs

Unlock the power of consistency with our course designed specifically for pool service, repair, and construction professionals. Learn how to create effective Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and operations manuals that ensure your business runs smoothly—no matter who’s at the helm. By mastering the difference between tactical and strategic work and identifying key systems to standardize, you’ll build a scalable, reliable operation that delivers exceptional results every time.

Taught by: Eric Knight

Sept 9 (Tuesday)

8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

SERVICE 2211: Essential Water Chemistry

0.8 CEUs

This course takes a comprehensive dive into both sides of water chemistry: water quality and water balance. Students will first learn the nature of water, solubility and saturation. They will then learn about water balance (physics), water quality (safe, clean, and clear), and explore the physical nature of water and why it behaves the way it does. Course content also features ways to deal with the most common water-quality problems, and how to prevent them before they start.
 

Taught by: Eric Knight

Sept 9 – 11 (Tuesday – Thursday)

8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

CONSTRUCTION 2111: Essential Pool Construction Workshop

2.4 CEUs

This three-day course is the perfect foundation to cover essentials of swimming pool construction, setting the stage for more advanced programs. Whether you’re new to the field or have some experience, you’ll discover how basic engineering plays a crucial role in construction methods.

  • Day 1: basic geotechnical, structural, fluid mechanics and electrical engineering
  • Day 2:  construction phases including layout, forming, utilities, safety barriers, shotcrete, waterproofing, tile and coping
  • Day 3: discussions about concrete decking, plaster science, start-up and punch-list considerations

 

Taught by: Bill Drakeley, ACI, IWI | David J. Peterson, P.E., IWI | Paolo Benedetti, IWI

Sept 12 – 13 (Friday – Saturday)

8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

ENGINEERING 2311: Essential Fluid Engineering Workshop

Certified Watershape Builder (CWB)

1.6 CEUs

Dive into the fundamentals with Essential Fluid Engineering, a cornerstone course for building your technical knowledge of water flow in pools, spas, and waterfeatures. Learn how to create safe, efficient systems that meet industry standards, deliver outstanding results to clients, and set the stage for long-term success.

Taught by: David J. Peterson, P.E., IWI

In partnership with

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You're eligible to earn professional certification

Certified Watershape Foreman (CWF)

This industry-recognized certification shows that you have the skills and knowledge to build basic pools, spas, and other water features to a high, global standard. This certification is also the first step toward earning more advanced credentials in the industry.

Requirements: C2111 – Essential Pool Construction + Exam

Learn more OR Contact us to apply for certification.

Certified Watershape Builder (CWB)

Certified Watershape Builder (CWB)

This industry-recognized certification proves you have the essential knowledge to run a watershape construction business—from documenting designs and estimating costs to building pools, spas, and other aquatic features with confidence.

Requirements: CWF Certification + E2311: Essential Fluid Engineering + 2 courses

Learn more OR Contact us to apply for certification.

Learn from expert instructors

Paolo Benedetti, IWI

Paolo Benedetti is the President/CEO of Aquatic Technology Pool & Spa and Lux Environs, one of the world’s leading luxury design and build construction firms. As a licensed pool builder and general building contractor, he has managed the design or construction of residential and commercial aquatics projects, vacation resorts, and high-end luxury residences spanning five continents. Widely published and recognized as one of the world’s leading authorities on watershape design, he is currently a faculty member for Watershape University.

Bill Drakeley, ACI, IWI

William Drakeley is principal and founder of Drakeley Pool Company, a New England-based luxury design and build custom watershaping firm; and, Drakeley Industries, an international consulting firm focusing on shotcrete applications and techniques. He is an award-winning shotcrete technologist specializing in concrete science and construction, particularly shotcrete applications, techniques and standards. He has thirty-plus years of experience in shotcrete installation, watershape geotechnical design and detailed custom construction—services include consultation and review, training and testing and expert testimony. As an educator and advocate for the highest industry standards, Bill is co-founder of Watershape University (WU), an industry-leading education provider of the highest quality live instruction covering business, design, engineering and construction—reaching students at all levels of pool, spa, aquatics and outdoor living sectors. He has conducted training for the Colorado School of Mines, the American Society of Landscape Architects, World of Concrete, NESPA Pool Show, and most notably for the New York City Metropolitan Transit Authority underground tunneling projects. His technical writing has been widely published in trade magazines and e-publications. Bill is chairman of the American Concrete Institute (ACI) Swimming Pool Shotcrete Committee, which in 2024 published the country’s first legal document for proper pool shotcrete protocol, ACI PRC-506.8-24. He is also a connoisseur of fine wine and a recent winery co-owner.  

Eric Knight

Eric Knight is a former American Record Holder in swimming who came to the pool industry in 2012 after developing asthma and lung damage from swimming indoors. He has devoted his entire career to improving water and air quality for pools worldwide. Eric was a VP at Orenda Technologies and HASA, where he led the creation of the Orenda Calculator® and the Orenda app, Orenda Academy®, and created and hosted the Rule Your Pool Podcast®. Eric was with Orenda until April 2025, when he joined Watershape University as their new Executive Director. Eric is now focused on building Watershape University into the most user-friendly and robust higher education program in the pool industry. He still teaches chemistry and business classes for WU, and conducts in-person natatorium evaluations for air quality improvements.

David Peterson, P.E., IWI

Peterson is President/CEO of Watershape Consulting, Inc., an international planning, design and engineering firm providing owners, architects, contractors, and the legal profession with services relating to residential, commercial and institutional pools, spas and water features.

He obtained his B.S. Civil Engineering at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and is a registered engineer in several states. Peterson has been in the watershape industry since 1994 when he began his career designing life support systems for large aquariums and marine mammal exhibits. He was Vice President Engineering at Polaris Pool Systems where he developed and patented several products.

Peterson reorganized the Genesis 3 Design Group into GENESIS® University in 2012. When GENESIS merged with the National Swimming Pool Foundation (NSPF) in 2016, Peterson became Director of Education for GENESIS, a position he held until forming Watershape University.

Invest in your career and business success!

Industry-leading education awaits you in Hawaii!

Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa

2552 Kalākaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815

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