Education in the Islands
September 8 - 13, 2025
Honolulu, HI
See full schedule for IACET CEUs offered, time, and instructors.
Address: Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa
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.
Monday, Sept 8
8:00 AM - 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
Tuesday, Sept 9
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
Tuesday - Thursday, Sept 9 - 11
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: David J. Peterson, P.E., IWI | Paolo Benedetti, IWI
Friday - Saturday, Sept 12 - 13
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
ENGINEERING 2311: Essential Fluid Engineering Workshop
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
Your 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.
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 J. 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.
Become certified.
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 + Exam
Certified Watershape Builder (CWB)
A continuation of the path begun while earning the Foreman Certification, the Builder Certification indicates completion of advanced studies in business administration, fluid engineering and design modeling—courses that combine to create a foundation for indispensable professional disciplines.
Requirements: CWF + E2311 + 2 courses