*CONSTRUCTION 2111: Essential Pool Construction (BILINGUAL) | Mar 3, 4, 5 | EXAM Mar 6
Class: March 3, 4, 5
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM all days
Exam: March 6
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
2.4 CEUs | 24 hours
Learning outcomes
1. List engineering disciplines: geotechnical, hydraulic, structural and electrical.
2. Examine project layout, form design/construction, shotcrete application and waterproofing measures.
3. Examine artisan points: tile and coping, decking, plaster preparations, cementitious finishes, materials science.
4. Discuss start-up procedures, punch-list execution and project conclusion/hand over.
Instructors: Bill Drakeley, IWI | Paolo Benedetti, IWI | Robert Abinuman
*BUSINESS 2121: Essential Pool Inspections | Mar 4, 5
March 4, 5
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
1.6 CEUs | 16 hours
Learning outcomes
1. Perform a complete step-by-step residential pool inspection.
2. Identify and diagnose pool issues that are in violation of national pool codes and standards, as well as those that may lead to costly repairs.
3. Practice accurately recording all pool-issue findings.
4. Generate a complete and informative pool inspection report.
Instructor: Dennis Boyd
DESIGN 4221: Advanced Principles of Design Workshop | Mar 4, 5
March 4, 5
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
1.6 CEUs | 16 hours
Learning outcomes
1. Discover the Intermediate Design Principles (Integration / Illusion / Authenticity / Engagement)
2. Recognize Classical design techniques from artistic masters throughout historical periods (Golden Rule / etc.
3. Understand the Gestalt Principles of Design (Proximity / Closure / Similarity / Continuity / Perception / Organization / Symmetry)
4. Develop Practical Design Discipline Habits to improve your design skill set.
Instructor: Jason Brownlee, IWI
*ENGINEERING 4411: Essential Electrical Workshop | Mar 4, 5
March 4, 5
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
1.6 CEUs | 16 hours
Learning outcomes
1. Explain high-voltage terms, definitions, electrical-science and functionality including single and three-phase systems.
2. Calculate sizing of feeders, panels, breakers, conductors, conduits, voltage drop and other important design parameters using a series of worksheets.
3. Appraise proper installation considerations such as conduit and conductor routing developed through hands-on exercises.
4. Discuss, design and evaluate low-voltage measurement, communications, protocols and controls from simple chemical controllers to complex home automation integration.
Instructors: Paolo Benedetti, IWI
S2211: Essential Water Chemistry (BILINGUAL) | Mar 5
March 5
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
0.8 CEU | 8.0 hours
Learning outcomes
1. Define each of the tested chemistry parameters and why they matter.
2. Define water balance and understand the laws of physics that govern water.
3. Define water quality in terms of chlorination, disinfection, and oxidation
4. Learn how to troubleshoot and prevent the most common pool chemistry issues
Instructor: Eric Knight | Miguel Chavez
(Short course) SERVICE 1121: Essential Chemical Safety & Vehicle Organization (BILINGUAL) | Mar 6
March 6
10:00 - 11:50 am
0.2 CEU | 2.0 hours
Learning outcomes
1. Learn the five (5) cardinal rules of chemical transportation and storage, and create a plan for how to implement them immediately.
2. Be able to distinguish between volatile chemicals and non-volatile chemicals.
3. Develop safe chemical usage, handling, storage and transportation procedures and checklists for your company to follow.
4. Identify what items are needed to make your work vehicles and workplaces safe for transporting and storing pool chemicals.
Instructors: Eric Knight | Miguel Chavez
(Short course) S3215: Startup Chemistry for Each Pool Type (*BILINGUAL) | Mar 7
March 7
9:00 - 10:50 am
0.2 CEU | 2.0 hours
Learning outcomes
1. Learn the differences between cement-based finishes, fiberglass and vinyl liner pools, in terms of how the materials interact with water.
2. Identify at least one unique trait of each pool surface type that affects how the pool chemistry should be handled
3. Identify at least three constants that are universal to all pool surface types
Instructors: Eric Knight | Miguel Chavez
(Short course) BUSINESS 2120: Introducing the Pool Inspection Process for Real Estate Transactions | Mar 7
March 7
9:00 - 10:50 AM
0.2 CEU | 2.0 hours
Learning outcomes
1. Introduce inspection basics: finding/diagnosing problems and defects, recording findings, compiling a report and using inspection software.
2. Review inspection examples for residential pools.
3. Describe how to set up and market a residential pool-inspection business.
Instructor: Dennis Boyd
View All Instructors
Paolo Benedetti, IWI
Teaching: ENGINEERING 4411 - Essential Electrical Workshop | CONSTRUCTION 2111 — Essential Pool Construction
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.
Dennis Boyd
Teaching: BUSINESS 2121 — Essential Pool Inspections | BUSINESS 2120 - Introducing the Pool Inspection Process for Real Estate Transactions
Pool inspection services would take off and so Dennis decided to split his pool service business and open a second company called Pro Pool Inspectors, Llc. Marketing that company to the real estate industry has led Dennis on a journey to not only create the most definitive pool inspection downloadable app on the market, but also start teaching pool inspection protocol classes. That training helps pool service companies see how pool inspections can grow their pool service company. He is convinced that if he can do it, you can do it.
Jason Brownlee, IWI
Teaching: DESIGN 4221 — Advanced Principles of Design Workshop
In the field of watershape, pool, and outdoor living design, Jason has become one of the few industry leaders to receive the prestigious “masters” level recognition. He is the founder, President, and lead designer at J.Brownlee Design, and co-founder of Elevate Events — where he teaches design, construction, engineering, sales, and business development to aspiring industry leaders across the country. Jason has a passion for design that is evident in each of his unique outdoor living creations. He travels nationally to collaborate with both homeowners and pool professionals on unique project opportunities. “My goal in every design is to enrich the lifestyle of our clients, to extend the living environment of their home into the outdoor spaces, and to enhance the natural characteristics of the site. Where these three things converge is the heart of a great design.” Jason partners with homeowners and pool contractors to bring his designs to life, resulting in numerous national award-winning projects and magazine covers. He resides in the Nashville, Tennessee area with his wife, Jennifer and their four children — Morgan (21), Blake (18), Alexa (15), and Taylor (8). He enjoys photography, travel, architecture, cycling, watersports, spending time outdoors, and can often be found cheering for his daughters at endless volleyball tournaments across the southeast.
Miguel Chavez
Teaching: SERVICE 1121 - Essential Chemical Safety & Vehicle Organization (*BILINGUAL) | SERVICE 3215 - Startup Chemistry for Each Pool Type
Miguel developed a passion for water quality and disinfection right from the inside of the pool, ironically as his swimming career headed to an end, he joined team Orenda as a Spanish Educator and Business Development Representative. Over the span of 5 years Miguel has interpreted and adapted the forward-thinking methodology and learning materials of Orenda for the Hispanic and Latino demographic inside and outside the United States. Miguel holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Missouri University of Science and Technology.
Bill Drakeley, ACI, IWI
Teaching: CONSTRUCTION 2111 — Essential Pool Construction
William Drakeley is an award-winning shotcrete technologist specializing in concrete science and construction, particularly shotcrete applications, techniques and standards, with thirty years (+) experience in shotcrete installation, waterfeature and geotech design and construction. Services include consultation and review, training and testing and expert testimony. He’s principal and founder of Drakeley Pool Company, a luxury design and build firm based in New England; and, Drakeley Industries, an international consulting firm focusing on shotcrete applications and techniques, notably providing training for the New York City Metropolitan Transit Authority underground tunneling projects. An educator and advocate for high industry standards, Bill has most recently developed and launched Watershape University (WU) with colleague David Peterson, P.E. to provide the highest quality of live instruction of business, design, engineering and construction programs to students of all levels of pool, spa, aquatics and outdoor living sectors. Bill has conducted trainings for the Colorado School of Mines, the American Society of Landscape Architects (CT), World of Concrete, GENESIS3 Aqua Show, NESPA, and others. His technical writings have been widely published in trade magazines and e-publications.
Eric Knight
Teaching: SERVICE 2111 — Essential Water Chemistry | SERVICE 3215 - Startup Chemistry for Each Pool Type | SERVICE 1217 - Stop Servicing Pools, Start Servicing People
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.
View Certification | 3 Offered
Certified Watershape Foreman (CWF)
When you take: CONSTRUCTION 2111 – Essential Pool Construction
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 (Learn more)
Certified Watershape Electrical Specialist (CWES)
When you take: ENGINEERING 4411 — Essential Electrical Workshop
All watershapes rely on competent/certified electrical installation to ensure safety, functionality and efficiency. This certification indicates completion of WU’s comprehensive course diving into the craft of combining electricity and water.
Requirements: CWF + E4411 (Learn more)
Certified Watershape Real Estate Inspector (CWRI)
When you take: BUSINESS 2121 – Essential Pool Inspections
Inspecting pools and spas as part of real estate transactions has become an emerging professional industry niche. This certification requires completion of WU’s industry-leading course covering inspection scope, key points and report generation.
Requirements: B2121 (Learn more)