*CONSTRUCTION 2711: Essential Major Renovations | February 24, 25 | 1.6 CEUs
Jan 24, 25 | 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
1.6 CEUs | 16 hours
Description:
As existing pools age and ownership turns over to a new generation, major renovations have become a larger and larger part of the watershape construction market. This in-depth, two-day major renovation design course is formatted with a series of targeted lectures supporting an interactive renovation design project.
Learning outcomes
1. Explore the scope and nuances of major renovation projects.
2. Review images that will inspire design and illustrate key concepts.
3. Develop a complete renovation project from site analysis, troubleshooting existing problems and failures, through first-draft design.
4. Describe the scope of work, design, material selection, structural engineering, mechanical systems, construction considerations and project management.
Instructors: Paolo Benedetti, IWI | Bill Drakeley, ACI, IWI
This course counts towards the Certified Watershape Renovator© designation.
*DESIGN 2212: Essential Elements & Principles of Design | February 24, 25 | 1.6 CEUs
February 24, 25| 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
1.6 CEUs | 16 hours
Description:
With the widespread use of 3D modeling programs over the past two decades, a majority of watershape and outdoor-living designers have joined the industry without the advantage of formal professional design education. This intensive two-day design workshop fills that gap with a crash-course detailing the core concepts of watershape and landscape design – all tailored specifically to intricacies of residential pools and outdoor living.
Learning outcomes
1. Explore the reasons WHY We Design including the sub-conscious role that design plays in creating an underlying emotional connection between our clients and the created space that they cannot leave.
2. Define how to see the world with “design eyes” as you discover the fundamental elements and principles of design. Instruction includes creating Objects and Properties, Spatial Theme, Design Framework, and Design Composition.
3. Discover the benefit of a blended, design process that accentuates the inherent character of each project site, home, and client blending traditional “old school” design methodology with the unique advantages of modern modeling technology.
4. Examine numerous case studies and project examples created by design masters across the world and develop a final project design concept, with instruction on how to modify the process to fit your company, your client, and your style.
Instructors: Jason Brownlee, IWI
This course counts towards the Certified Watershape Designer© designation.
*BUSINESS 2121: Essential Residential Pool Inspections | February 24, 25 | 1.6 CEUs
Jan 24, 25 | 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
1.6 CEUs | 16 hours
Description:
Qualified swimming pool inspectors are in great demand for residential pools as part of real estate sales. In particular, prospective home buyers typically must have a pool inspected as part of the customary pre-purchase home inspection. This 16-hour course equips industry professionals with necessary information and skills to conduct competent and cost-effective residential pool inspections through a review of national swimming pool codes and standards.
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
Instructors: Dennis Boyd | Howard Weiss
This course counts towards the Certified Watershape Residential Inspector© designation.
SERVICE 3214: Plaster Startup Chemistry | Jan 26 | 0.4 CEUs
Jan 26 | 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
0.4 CEUs | 4 hours
Description:
The moment water begins to fill a freshly-plastered watershape, chemical reactions are taking place. Too often, the tap water chemistry and cement chemistry interact to cause frustrating discolorations and other plaster problems. This course covers basic cement and water chemistry, and walks through how to prevent such issues before they start.
Learning outcomes
1. Learn basic cement chemistry as it relates to hydration, curing and carbonation.
2. Understand basic water chemistry as it relates to water balance and the Langelier Saturation Index (LSI).
3. Discover the fundamental water chemistry goal of a good startup process for proper plaster curing, and viable techniques to reach that goal.
4. Learn how to identify workmanship and exposure issues versus water chemistry issues.
Instructors: Eric Knight
View All Instructors
Paolo Benedetti, IWI
Teaching: C2111: 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: B2121: Essential Residential Pool Inspections
Dennis Boyd founded Pro Pool Inspectors and a mobile app to help systematize pool inspections for real estate transactions and more. He and his wife live in Tennessee, where Dennis still conducts pool inspections every week, and drinks sweet tea every day.
Dennis has a Masters Degree in Education from Nazarene Theological Seminary (specializing in curriculum development), and a Medical Degree from Volunteer State College in Respiratory Therapy, and is a former licensed medical practitioner in Tennessee.
Jason Brownlee, IWI
Teaching: D2212: Essential Elements & Principles of Design
In the field of watershape 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.
Jason 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.
Bill Drakeley, ACI, IWI
Teaching: C2111: Essential Concrete Pool Construction
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
Teaching: S3214: Watershape Startup Certification | S1121: Essential Chemical Safety and Vehicle Organization
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.
Howard Weiss
Teaching: B2121: Essential Residential Pool Inspections
Howard began his journey in the pool industry as a lifeguard at a community pool. In 1982, he founded Contemporary Watercrafters, a pool service company in the Washington DC suburbs. What started as a small operation with one truck and two employees grew into a thriving business with 10 trucks, 32 employees, and two retail stores. Howard attributes this success to two key factors: clear communication with both customers and employees, and ongoing education for his staff in technical and customer service skills.
Throughout his 50+ year career, Howard has been an active member of industry trade groups such as the Association of Pool and Spa Professionals (now the PHTA). He has served on their Board of Directors and Retail Council and has taught at regional trade association training events. He has also conducted certification classes like CPO, PPSO, CMS, and CST.
In 2018, Howard sold his company to two employees and semi-retired. Now, when he's not sailing on the Chesapeake or traveling, he focuses on his residential pool inspection business, Pool Inspections By Howard. His services cater to home buyers and their agents during real estate transactions, similar to a home inspector. In the transient DC area, he has become a highly sought-after resource.
