C2111: Essential Pool Construction | Watch Party
December 17 - 19, 2025
Broomfield, CO
Save $400 - now only $1125!
IACET CEUs offered: 2.4
Duration: 24 hours
Time: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM GMT
Instructors: David J. Peterson, P.E., IWI | Bill Drakeley, ACI, IWI | Paolo Benedetti, IWI | Joe Dempsey, Jr., IWI
Address: Aquality Pools & Spas
The Essentials of Pool Construction.
Join your fellow aspiring pool pros - we're having a watch party for the online version of C2111: Essential Pool Construction! This is WU's foundational course, taken by hundreds both live and online, on-demand. Joe Dempsey, Jr., IWI, an authorized instructor for this course, will walk students through the video material and be available to answer questions.
In this information-rich course, students work through 22 modules of online, on-demand lecture and instruction, carefully examining the key elements of swimming pool construction with a focus on how basic engineering directly determines construction methods and details.
Section One defines basic engineering, Section Two describes key construction phases including layout, forming, utilities, safety barriers, shotcrete, waterproofing, tile and coping, all with an eye toward exceeding standards and best practices. The program concludes with Section Three, in-depth examinations of concrete decking, plaster science and start-up methods.
What you will learn:
List engineering disciplines: geotechnical, hydraulic, structural and electrical.
Examine project layout, form design/construction, shotcrete application and waterproofing measures.
Examine artisan points: tile and coping, decking, plaster preparations, cementitious finishes, materials science.
Discuss start-up procedures, punch-list execution and project conclusion/hand over.
Your instructors.
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.
Bill Drakeley, ACI, IWI
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, water feature 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.
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.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.
Joe Dempsey, Jr., IWI
Joe Dempsey, Jr. was born and raised in Colorado, and in the world of swimming pools and spas. In the early years, he worked at Aquality Construction during the summers. After graduating from Colorado State University, Joe spent a year traveling the world before coming back to the business in 2013. He started back out in the field while continuing his education, focusing on swimming pool design and construction.
Joe has learned and earned his way to the International Watershape Institute® (IWI) certification, as well as earning the titles of Certified, Advanced, Expert and Master Pool Builder and Design Professional. Joe is also a Certified Shotcrete Nozzleman. With all his hard work, these accomplishments add up to over 300 hours of continuing education. Joe now teaches Construction courses for 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.
To earn this designation, you must complete an exam after taking this course.