*CONSTRUCTION 2111: Essential Pool Construction | Jan 24, 25, 26 | 2.4 CEUs
Jan 24, 25, 26 | 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
2.4 CEUs | 24 hours
Description:
Students spend three days carefully examining the key elements of swimming pool construction with a focus on how basic engineering directly determines construction methods and details. Day One covers basic engineering (listed above), Day Two moves through 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 discussions about concrete decking, plaster science and start-up methods.
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, ACI, IWI | Paolo Benedetti, IWI
This course counts towards the Certified Watershape Foreman© designation.
*CONSTRUCTION 2711: Essential Major Renovations | Jan 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: David J. Peterson, P.E., IWI | Chas B.
This course counts towards the Certified Watershape Renovator© designation.
*BUSINESS 2121: Essential Residential Pool Inspections | Jan 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.
BUSINESS 1611: Essential Business Administration | Jan 25 | 0.8 CEUs
Jan 25 | 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
0.8 CEUs | 8 hours
Description:
Operating a construction, service, and/or retail business can be a rewarding experience but it also comes with great responsibility and potential liability. Quality watershaping firms need to be on top of their games in both their external client-facing efforts, and also internally on corporate / personnel-facing operations. This 8-hour lecture introduces students to a broad range of important management topics and provides tools to help them apply basic best practices to their business.
Learning outcomes
1. Identify key facets of running a business, including general and administrative issues, human resources, information technology, legal concerns, marketing, advertising, and sales
2. Describe contracts, insurance, liability, and dealing with difficult clients
3. Explore how to establish a healthy company culture, including hiring practices and how to retain and retrain employees to reflect that culture
4. Develop strategies for growth, from marketing and sales techniques, through construction and finally seamless hand-offs to ensure positive referrals
Instructors: Julie Kazdin, IWI | Chris Volk, IWI
This course counts towards the Certified Watershape Builder© designation.
CONSTRUCTION 2241: ASA Quality Shotcrete | Jan 26 | 0.8 CEUs
Jan 26 | 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
0.8 CEUs | 8 hours
Description:
Although you may have used shotcrete subcontractors for years, do you know what to look for to be sure you’re achieving a quality installation?
Shotcrete is a familiar and widely used concrete placement method used for various applications, including swimming pools. Compared to poured concrete, it involves fundamentally different equipment, material selection, crew responsibilities, application techniques, testing, curing, and personal protection.
This course from Watershape University and the American Shotcrete Association provides crucial guidance on over 40 critical elements of shotcrete application that on-site pool-contractor personnel can use to properly evaluate the overall quality of shotcrete placement. Armed with this information, observers can readily use visual clues that confirm that the material’s placement is creating a high-quality and durable concrete pool shell.
Key knowledge areas include an overview of material selections, equipment, placement techniques, finishing, curing, protection, testing, and jobsite safety. This vital information will help the pool contractor or owner verify that they are getting quality work from their shotcrete subcontractors. It may also be useful to the shotcrete contractor to better communicate and confirm the quality of their work to their pool contractors or owners.
Learning outcomes
1. Gain a fundamental understanding of the wet-mix and dry-mix (gunite) shotcrete process.
2. Describe ACI and other Industry standards that detail acceptable shotcrete placement.
3. Identify quality materials and placement methods.
4. Recognize proper application techniques, and missteps that can reduce the quality of the final
product.
Instructors: Charles Hanskat
This course counts towards the Certified Watershape Builder© designation.
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.
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.
Charles Hanskat, P.E., F.ACI, F.ASCE
Teaching: C2241: ASA Quality Shotcrete
Charles Hanskat, P.E., is Executive Director and Technical Director for the American Shotcrete Association. He is a licensed professional engineer. Hanskat has been involved in the design, construction, evaluation and repair of environmental concrete, marine, building and shotcrete structures for 40 years.
Charles is an active voting or consulting member of many ACI technical and certification committees. He is a Board member and Chair of ACI’s Strategic Development Council. He was also 2014 President of the American Shotcrete Association. He also chairs ASTM C09.46 Committee on Shotcrete. Hanskat has been active in professional and technical engineering societies. He served as president of Florida Engineering Society (FES) and a national director of NSPE. He is a fellow member of ACI, ASCE and FES, and an active member of ACI, ASA, ASCC, AREMA, ASTM, ICRI and SDC.
Charles and WU co-founder Bill Drakeley have worked together on ASA position statements for swimming pool shotcrete.
Julie Kazdin, IWI
Teaching: B1611: Essential Business Administration
The pool industry runs in the family for Julie. Having grown up in the industry, Julie brings a unique perspective to the industry that combines an understanding of where the industry has been with a keen focus on where it needs to be going. She currently holds Executive Committee positions for the Northeast Spa & Pool Association (NESPA) and the Long Island Pool & Spa Association (LIPSA) and is a dedicated volunteer in the pool industry.
A believer in collaboration, getting to work with professionals from across the pool and spa industry has been an invaluable resource for Julie. Sharing new ideas and building diverse relationships has helped her develop innovative solutions to industry challenges. Julie holds a B.S. in Business Administration with a focus on management from Bryant University. She holds several industry certifications. She recently received the honor of Young Professional of the Year by PHTA; and 30 Under 40 by Pool Pro.
Julie is the VP of Operations for Watershape University, and serves as WU's Dean of Business.
David J. Peterson, P.E., IWI
Teaching: C2711: Essential Major Renovations
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.
Chris Volk, IWI
Teaching: B1611: Essential Business Administration
Chris Volk is general manager of Budd Pools and Spas, a Philadelphia-area, construction, service and repair company serving the Delaware-Pennsylvania-New Jersey region.
Chris graduated from Rutgers University in 2004, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in business and accounting, and a minor in corporate finance. He has continued his education, completing rigorous courses in watershape design, engineering, construction, and business operations, and has earned the IWI professional certification from Watershape University.
Chris started in the industry in 1997 as an associate technician and has worked with all aspects of the pool business: design, engineering, planning, installation, service, sales, and retail. In his current role, Volk runs one of the largest pool companies in the United States.
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.
