Skimmer, a leading-edge pool service software provider, recently unveiled its “2024 State of Pool Service Report,” a comprehensive analysis based on the invaluable feedback from over 1,700 pool service professionals who responded. This report delves deep into key facets of the industry, such as market challenges, business structures, pricing strategies, technology adoption, and growth plans. Notably, the report culminates from survey responses from Skimmer’s platform of over 25,000 users as well as insights gleaned from broader market research.

Rising Tides of Costs and Strategic Business Responses

One of the more eye-opening aspects to the report, 73% of surveyed pool service professionals reported a commendable upswing in revenue in 2023 compared to the previous year. However, the buoyancy in revenue was tempered by a prevailing concern – rising costs. The majority identified escalating costs as the most formidable challenge faced in 2023, with an anticipatory nod to this trend persisting into the unfolding year of 2024.

A significant number of companies are gearing up to address these rising costs by contemplating price adjustments, with nearly 74% of pool professionals signaling their intention to implement price increases in the current year to sustain revenue streams.

In an exclusive interview with Talking Pools Podcast, Jack Nelson, CEO of Skimmer, underscored this critical issue, stating, “Everyone in the industry feels like costs are going to keep rising. It’s unfortunately an inevitability with sort of inflation. The question is, what are we going to do about it? It’s really interesting to see that most respondents said they were planning on raising prices in order to maintain profit margins.”

Workforce Dynamics and Marketing Strategies

Beyond the realms of financial strategies, the report casts its gaze on the dynamic workforce within the pool service industry. A noteworthy revelation is that 52% of respondents expressed an intent to expand their teams in 2024. This metric supports a positive indicator that most respondents believe the industry will continue to grow rather than contract.

One statistic you may find surprising, the report indicated that the majority of service technicians still rely heavily on the age-old method of word-of-mouth referrals, with only a modest 35% reporting that they’re investing in marketing. Nelson, who has experienced this sentiment first hand expressed that this way of thinking might be outdated.

“So many folks in the industry think they don’t need to pay for marketing because they get a lot of referrals,” said Nelson, “that’s true. You can grow your business that way, but you can grow it so much more quickly if you are spending a little bit of marketing. Because most of the industry is still not doing it, there’s a real chance to kind of take advantage of that. It’s a huge opportunity for ambitious pool service companies.”

Technology Integration: The Digital Oasis

In counterpoint to that, one area where the pool industry is embracing technology is business operations. One pivotal aspect of the report indicated an escalating integration of technology within the pool service industry. Approximately 75% of respondents revealed that they are leveraging software to streamline various aspects of their business operations. This underscores a growing acknowledgment of the pivotal role technology plays in enhancing efficiency, streamlining operations, and staying ahead in a competitive landscape.

“I think knowing your numbers is absolutely critical,” said Nelson, “so is embracing technology to operate your business more efficiently. That’s true whether it’s Skimmer or any other type of technology. I think there’s a tendency to underestimate the cost associated with doing business. Time is money. If you’re accepting a check from a customer because that customer refuses to get on ACH or credit card, there’s time associated with that cost. I think really understanding where you can automate different aspects of your business to save time and money is critical as costs continue to rise.”

Strategic Navigations for Future Growth

One noteworthy observation gleaned from the report is the success of companies that choose to bill separately for chemicals. Businesses charging customers separately for chemicals were on average more profitable than those who opted to include chemicals in the total price of service.

Including the price of chemicals has traditionally been a more straightforward, fixed-rate structure that is perhaps more easily grasped by pool owners and simplifies billing for pool professionals. However, the drawback lies in the susceptibility to frequent price adjustments due to significant fluctuations in chemical costs.

According to Skimmer’s data analysis, the model that charges extra for chemicals, known as the “plus chems” model, emerges as the most effective strategy in mitigating the impact of both fluctuating chemical costs and variations in weather patterns that might affect chemical usage, providing a robust buffer against such uncertainties.

Beyond immediate challenges, the report reveals a spectrum of strategic approaches pool service professionals are exploring for future growth. Notably, 33% of respondents expressed a nuanced interest in reducing their customer count while concurrently focusing on upselling more services and augmenting the overall value provided per pool serviced. Additionally, 43% are pinning their hopes on introducing operational efficiencies to curtail costs and bolster profitability.

Want to take a deeper dive? Read Skimmer’s 2024 State of Pool Service Report or listen to the interview on the Talking Pools Podcast.

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Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) – allows contractors to actually “see” inside pool structures. GPR systems are perfect for locating reinforcing steel and determining the thickness of the concrete. Another helpful aspect of GPR is its use in locating elements inside of framed buildings, pipes, and conduits. Though these systems typically are priced at over $12,000, once prorated across many jobs, the cost is minuscule, while the benefits can be monumental.

What is Ground Penetrating Radar?

Ground Penetrating Radar is a geophysical method that uses radar pulses to image the subsurface of the ground. It is a non-destructive and non-intrusive technique commonly employed in various fields, including archaeology, geology, environmental studies, civil engineering, and utility detection. The primary purpose of GPR is to identify and map subsurface features, anomalies, or objects without the need for excavation.

How Does It Work?

GPR works by emitting short pulses of electromagnetic waves into the ground. These radar pulses penetrate the subsurface and interact with different materials and structures. As the waves encounter boundaries between materials, some of the energy is reflected back to the surface. The GPR antenna receives these reflections, and the system processes the signals to create a detailed image of the subsurface. GPR is widely used for utility detection, subsurface mapping, and construction applications, providing valuable information without the need for excavation.

GPR For Pool Builders & Contractors

Today, construction technology is evolving. Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) has become a valuable tool for pool builders and contractors in various aspects of their work. Here are some ways in which GPR can be beneficial for professionals in the pool construction industry:

1. Locating Utilities
2. Identifying Subsurface Anomalies
3. Mapping Soil Stratigraphy
4. Detecting Void Spaces
5. Quality Control and Inspection
6. Ensuring Compliance with Regulations
7. Time and Cost Savings

Using GPR for Non-Destructive Testing

Today, there are a number of intelligent reasons to be using a ground penetrating radar to scan your pool shells. GPR is a non-destructive method to determine what is actually occurring inside of the concrete, without having to drill cores or demolish concrete. Radar allows experts to see the rebar schedule and depth within concrete. Pool construction professionals have even used them to validate the presence of bonding clamps and wire, when inspections were missed (for other contractors).

Use of Ground Penetrating Radar in Remodeling Swimming Pools

For contractors, being able to precisely locate the placement of the reinforcing steel is invaluable. When planning for coring a shell for pool lighting, add plumbing or coring for samples, it is critical to know where the steel is located. Hitting a rebar while coring can easily damage a $500 core bit. Worse yet, a handheld drill binds and kicks back, breaking the user’s thumb.

After stripping the plaster, scanning the shell can definitively determine if there’s sufficient shotcrete coverage over the steel. If it’s insufficient, then the pool can be “flashed” with additional shotcrete (at an additional charge). This will require new coping and tile as well, as the interior dimensions will change. In my own personal firm’s pool remodeling contracts, we have a disclaimer about shotcrete thickness. We will scan the shell for free, but if there is an inadequate amount of coverage, there will be a change order to add shotcrete and adjust the coping, tile and fittings. Think of this as a potential profit center. You can actually show the owners the location and depth of the rebar.

GPR companies charge $500-600 for a 1-hour visit. You can see how quickly owning a GPR unit can pay for itself. After a while, it will actually start earning you money! A Proceq GP8800 can be had for around $12,000 plus the cost of an iPad.

Photo Credits: Proceq

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Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of Facebook and the brains behind the metaverse, is planning on building a lavish new compound complete with an underground survival bunker. According to an exclusive investigation by Wired, the billionaire doomsday prepper is shelling out some serious coin to build the estate, with costs rumored to exceed a whopping $100 million.

Details Emerge About Plans For a Luxury Estate Complete With a Doomsday Bunker

Based on information from both public records and a confidential insider, Wired has disclosed that Mark Zuckerberg’s estate is on the verge of completion. The primary living quarters comprise over a dozen buildings, featuring a remarkable 30 bedrooms and 30 bathrooms. Central to the compound are two colossal mansions, rivaling the size of a professional football field, equipped with offices, elevators, conference rooms, and an expansive industrial-grade kitchen. Evoking a sci-fi ambiance, numerous doors within the compound will be soundproofed, operated through keypads, or designed as “blind doors” seamlessly blending with the surrounding walls.

A tunnel is rumored to connect the two mansions, providing a discreet pathway to the bunker. An additional structure on the estate is set to include a full-size gym, pools, a sauna, a hot tub, a cold plunge pool, and a tennis court. Adding an adventurous touch, 11 treehouses, connected by rope bridges, allow guests to navigate between structures without setting foot on the ground. Notably, Zuckerberg has reportedly hosted at least two corporate events on the property, showcasing the multifaceted nature of this extraordinary compound.

This End of Days Bunker Comes With a Swimming Pool

The compound named Koolau Ranch, sits on Zuckerberg’s purchased land, a tropical haven he bought for a cool $170 million. With plans for the new development leaked, a 5,000-square-foot underground shelter with all the bells and whistles is apparently envisioned to make surviving the end of days a five-star experience.

The investigation by Wired referenced information from sources and planning documents acquired through requests for public records. The documents detailed that the primary residences will be accompanied by a 5,000-square-foot underground shelter, complete with living spaces and an emergency escape hatch.

As plans continue to take shape, one of the most intriguing aspects of the project has surfaced – an 18-foot water tank and pump system. Speculations are rife about its purpose, with rumors circulating that this colossal water reservoir is more than just a contingency plan for the apocalypse. Could it be a key component in Zuckerberg’s ambitious underground pool project?

Billionaire tech moguls are apparently sparing no expense when it comes to preparing for a doomsday scenario. A tell-all book called Survival of The Richest by Douglas Rushkoff reveals that these bunkers are equipped with cutting-edge technology, state-of-the-art security systems, and amenities that make five-star hotels blush.

In the unlikely event of an apocalypse, one can’t help but imagine Mark Zuckerberg’s friend requests suddenly resembling Jim Carrey’s inbox in Bruce Almighty. Forget about FarmVille requests; now it’s all about securing a spot in Zuck’s luxury bunker-ville! Picture this: while the world outside is in chaos, inside the bunker, Zuckerberg’s getting notifications like, “Hey Mark, long time no apocalypse, can I crash at yours?”

As the doomsday clock ticks away, Zuckerberg’s friend count might skyrocket faster than a viral cat video. Everyone from old high school buddies to that guy who accidentally poked him in 2009 will be sliding into his DMs, desperately seeking refuge in the ultimate VIP shelter. The allure of a bunker designed by the creator of the social network could turn Zuckerberg into the most sought-after doomsday BFF.

Interested in learning more? Good luck. Zuckerberg’s compound is now encircled by a 6-foot wall, and, as reported by Wired, an additional layer of confidentiality has been added to the project. Every contracted worker, regardless of their position or role, is said to have been required to sign non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) pertaining to their contributions to the property. This heightened level of secrecy suggests that specific details about the construction and features of the compound are likely to be tightly guarded and may not easily find their way into the public domain.

Featured Photo Credit: MidJourney AI

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Now that I am starting to reflect over my past 69 years of active duty as a pool guy. Many of my friends have told me that I have seen a lot of history in our industry and that I need to start writing them down. With this in mind, Joe & Marianne Trusty and Carol Gigliotti of Pool Magazine have asked me to put down some of my pool history that I experienced over my career.

In 1955, my father decided to move his family from Oakland, California to the rich open spaces of Contra Costa County just a few miles away. At this time, there was starting to become a migration from the inter cities to the new suburbs in the country. Much of this was driven by the Post War GI Bill that all of our returning soldiers received after fighting in WWII. The GI Bill basically gave a serviceman low interest government loans to buy a new home.

This migration and the hopes for home ownership created a huge building boom as America started to get back on her feet, post-war. My dad was one of those returning soldiers after fighting in the Pacific Theater and being discharged in Oakland, California. My dad wanted something better for his family and the attraction of moving to the fast-growing suburbs along with being part of the building boom of those suburbs, had an important attraction for my father.

He moved us to a little town that was 15 miles east of Oakland and what seemed like a whole new world. The weather was warm during the summer and a perfect place to not only raise a family in the country but also to start a new business in an almost unheard of industry, the swimming pool industry. Up to this point, only the very wealthy could afford a swimming pool. However, all this was starting to change as young families started to move to the suburbs and they realized that the weather was perfect for a fast-growing family of Baby Boomers. Now with a new home that the GI Bill allowed these young families to buy, there began the development of the front and backyard.

My father was one of the early pioneers who had the vision and the ability to do something about it. He started his pool company just prior to us moving to the little town of Lafayette, California. Little did he know that this little town of 2,500 people at the time was going to become the center of growth of our industry. Now I’m not saying that the pool business started in Lafayette, however, it was at this time in the 50’s that American families all across the country were starting to experience the same revolution of young boomer families wanting to seek a better life by moving to the suburbs and all the lifestyle that came with it. These young families had a lot in common with each other besides many returning from WWII, taking advantage of the GI bill, having several young kids or Baby Boomers along with wanting a better way of life.

As the new neighborhoods or track developments started to spring up everywhere in our area, we started to see more and more families wanting to enjoy their backyards with their growing families and friends. It was at this time the weekend BBQ with your Weber BBQ became one of the most essential tools of anyones backyard. This outdoor California Lifestyle then found itself wanting more as people could afford more.

Enter the backyard swimming pool and all the enjoyment and entertainment that it brought to our families. My dad was on the ground floor of this movement. Back in those days, his swimming pools cost $2,000 all in. Of course it’s all relative when you realize what a gallon of gas costs ($.26) or what those first track homes in the suburbs cost under $10,000 for a 3 and 2 with a garage. The beauty of those starter homes is that the lot size was big enough for a modest 15×30’ pool with a little decking.

Landscape design and construction was very modest. There weren’t too many landscape architects and most were busy designing those large estates that could afford their designs. So the early years of the industry were very modest and builders such as the Anthony Brothers in Southern California catered to those fast-growing suburb homes by selling pools based on the financing more than the ability to build a pool. As Anthony Pools was taking a commanding lead out west, other markets around the country started to boom. Arizona had the Ghiz Family with Paddock of Arizona along with the Asti Family and Shasta Pools. On the East Coast we also saw the Sullivan Pools that all of these building families started to spawn other spin-off pool builders as the demand for owning a backyard swimming pool started to grow.

Prior to the boom in the 1950’s, here in California, there were two major high-end pool builders that were building pools for the rich and famous, Paddock Pools and Landon Pools. These two builders were instrumental in the engineering and mechanical development of swimming pools. Be it the sand and gravel filters that they used or the skim filter that Landon and Paddock used to try and simplify and reduce cost in their pools.

As more and more pools were being built by new pool builders, there became this demand to help invent more and more components to help make the backyard swimming pool more accessible and user-friendly. It was about this time in the 50’s that Anthony Pools helped create the early precast skimmer with a built-in basket outside of the pool. Prior to that there was the lily pad skimmer that was a floating basket that was attached to the lily pad suction plate that bobbed up and down with the water level as water was drawn from a separate suction line. These pools also had a separate main drain suction line as well. The real custom pools that Paddock built had an 1.5” flange fitting mid way on the pool about 12” below the surface for a home owner to actually vacuums their pools using a portable vacuum hose and head. At this same time we also have the Pool Master Jet Vac pool cleaner that hooked on the end of your garden hose and blew water into a large bag that could pick up leaves and not plug up the pump basket. The bag were designed to filter the water jetting up into the bag along with some dirt.

These types of cleaning systems were designed to help keep the pool somewhat clean. The reality was that once you built a pool, you had to contend with the drudgery of cleaning your pool every weekend or be rich enough to afford a pool maintenance company. This need for keeping the pool clean has spawned an entire section of our industry and it came about more by chance then anything else.

It was the late 50’s and early 60’s that one of the Pillars of our industry, Andy Pansini was just finishing up cleaning his pool using his vacuum cleaner on his pool in San Rafael area in the SF Bay Area. Andy was cleaning his decks after cleaning his pool and was using his garden hose to hose things down. The phone rang and Andy dropped his hose in the pool and answered the phone. When he returned, the hose had been snaking back and forth on the bottom of the pool and the pool was spotless where the hose was whipping back and forth.

The History of the Pool Cleaner

It is said that “Necessity is the Mother of Invention”. Andy realized at that moment that if he could manage the whipping hose in his pool then he could chase the dirt down to the bottom of the pool and without ever vacuuming his pool again, he could always have a spotless pool. Andy solicited the help of a fellow inventor, Howard Arneson, that lived across the bay. Howard was a creator, inventor and part showman. The two of them came up with some interesting variations of these first prototypes. I was fortunate in the mid 60’s to actually work on one of the very first of these prototypes that looked nothing of what we see today of the robotic pool cleaner.

As time went on Andy and Howard both started their own manufacturing companies. Andy and his wife Jan had started Jandy and Howard started Pool Sweep. Both were here in the San Francisco Marin County area. As more and more backyard swimming pools were being built, there became more and more need to keep them clean so you could enjoy swimming in a nice clean pool. This need for a clean pool created a new part of our industry called pool service and maintenance companies. It was at this time I started my first pool company. After years of working for my Dad’s pool company, at 16 years old, I had my driver’s license and a truck to put my maintenance cleaning equipment and chemicals in.

I was one of the first pool service companies in our area and was fortunate enough to acquire some very high profile pools that I cleaned each week. Back in those days you didn’t have a self-cleaning pool like today, that you mostly test the water and add chemicals to, once a week. Back then every pool was on twice a week service with the first visit as a brush and skim the pool along with cleaning the basket and filter visit. The second cleaning was dedicated to vacuuming the pool so it was ready for the weekend entertaining.

It was at this time I learned a lot about the drudgery of cleaning and maintaining the backyard pool. Cleaning swimming pools gave me a great appreciation for what it took in the building end of a swimming pool to make it easier on our clients. Let’s face it, the reason people build a swimming pool is to relax, enjoy their leisure time in the backyard with family and friends. It is not to become a slave to the maintenance of your pool.

As the Jandy cleaner and the Arneson cleaner became more and more popular to adapt to a pool, I was seeing more and more builders first install a dedicated return line for the robotic sweep and eventually those same builders realized that upselling a client on the advantages of installing a robotic cleaner made owning a swimming more enjoyable for the homeowner. As the Jandy Porpoise and Arneson Pool Sweep was taking the industry by storm, an inventor/businessman, Jim Edmundson was creating his version of the pressure pool cleaner called the Polaris. The uniqueness of the Polaris was that it lived on the bottom of the pool and did both sweeping and vacuuming of the pool. It had a leaf bag much like the early Pool Master Jet Vac manual cleaner except that it  was part of the robotic cleaner and only needed to be cleaned once a week. There was one more entrance into the robotic cleaners on the West coast and that was from Sandy Campbell, who was in the Bay Area as well but soon moved his manufacturing to Redding, California. Sandy’s cleaner was called “The Letro Jet Vac”, it had some of the similar characteristic as the Polaris but it did a better job in high leaf areas.

While all these robotic cleaner wars were going on in California, over in Arizona, in the late 60’s and early 70’s, they were creating their very own cleaning systems to help battle the high sand content and debris that was plaguing swimming pools in that market. As I stated earlier, “Necessity was the Mother of Invention”.  The Ghiz Family (Paddock Pools, The Paramount System) and the Ast Family (Shasta Pools, The A&A System) both created their proprietary in-floor cleaners for their own pools in that market. They along with a friend of mine, Les Mathews (Creator of the Caretaker System). All of these three inventor families helped usher in the next generation of pool cleaning. There was one other little-known infloor cleaner called the “Turbo Clean” that I recall seeing on some of the Geremia Pools out of Sacramento, Ca. Within a few short years, these manufacturers were selling their cleaners all across the country and internationally.

For the past 40 years, I personally have designed and worked with all three cleaners. For the past 25 years, my favorite in-floor cleaner is the PCC-2000 cleaner. What is it that makes this cleaner so special to me is it’s ability to clean the entire pool as Paramount and our team design the location of the cleaner heads. PCC-2000 also has it’s patented water curtain and the MDX that is it’s debris collection system.  The robotic cleaners have their advantages in that they are a low cost compared to the Paramount in-floor system. In addition, as the design of our pools have come a long way from my dad’s pioneering days of simple, functional designs with simple filtration and no cleaners, to the designs that my son, Nicco and I are creating today with baja entries, ledges and seats throughout the pool.

We are all seeing the acceptance of engineered pools hanging off slopes with vanishing edges and “O” edge designs. These pools are so artistic that a robotic cleaner with its umbilical cord running around pool will surely take away from the beauty and artistry of the pools we are designing and building today.

What the in-floor cleaner is to me and even more specifically the Paramount PCC-2000 in-floor cleaner, is the beauty of the pool is not interrupted with the visual of the robotic cleaner. The additional circulation on the bottom of the pool that takes water from the skimmer level of the water and injects it back into the floor heads. This action creates not only bottom circulation better then any other way to circulate water in your pool, but it also takes surfaced solar heated water and injects it to the bottom of the pool so the entire pool becomes a heat storage battery for the solar heat that is collected at the surface.

More and more today our pools here in the Bay Area are safety cover pools with the spa under the cover to help keep the pool safe from small children, clean from dirt falling in the pool and energy efficient because of the passive solar heat that the cover generates at the top of the water that is pumped to the bottom of the pool through the in-floor cleaning system. Not only are we delivering a very clean pool to our clients, but a very efficient pool that cleans itself and a very artistic pool that is exciting to look at.

Our industry has come a long way since I joined in with my dad and now with Nicco, my son as the 3rd generation of our family to build well-engineered, unique designed and very efficient works of art for our clients backyard enjoyment and entertainment. It has taken 3 generations for our family to build the “State of the Art” custom pools that Nicco is now building for our company. As I stood on my father’s shoulder, now Nicco stands on mine, our family tradition has continued to advance the pool industry with our knowledge and forward thinking. It has been a wonderful journey as we all get to enjoy the rich history of our industry that has taken us to where we are today. Those early pioneers helped pave the way for the next generation of pool builders.

I will continue to add to the rich history of the swimming pool industry with my personal stories that all of us will enjoy as we discover where our roots come from.

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The Farrel’s of Placerville, California, were searching to add nostalgia to their backyard by
recreating the caves of the California foothills they had explored in college. This sounds
daunting, but when crafting the perfect pool design, the choices are as abundant as the
waters. The options are seemingly limitless, from creating clean, modern pools with
geometric precision to fashioning an idyllic oasis with water features and natural
embellishments. However, one constant challenge in pool design remains the choice
between genuine rock and its faux counterpart. In this ever-evolving arena, pool-
building professionals often grapple with deciding whether to incorporate natural or
imitation stone into their designs. The selection between the two is far from
straightforward and hinges on several crucial factors, each with unique advantages and
considerations.

Natural or Faux Rock, Which Is Best?

Pool designs have included rock creations in them for decades. Bringing a seamless
blend of natural surroundings to the manufactured yard addition. How does a designer
or builder know which method to use in this age-old conundrum when producing these
designs?

There are various methods to install natural rock and faux rock. Naturally made stones
are carefully placed to give an authentic look to walls, fountains, and grottos.
Just like natural rock, faux rock creations have multiple methods. Some are made with
manipulated rebar into desired shapes, filled with gunite or shotcrete, and then painted
to that ‘just dug out of the earth’ look. Then, some are made with carefully cut foam into
perfectly shaped boulders of beauty, mortar product with fibers, then layered with a
mixture of mortar, Portland cement, thin set, fibers for carving and/or stamping and painted.
Rebar can be used with this method when needing to secure structure.

Genuine and faux rock take many hours of rock study to give the most natural look
possible. It is not unheard of for rock masons or sculptures to go out into nature to study
the rocks’ natural form and placements.

Using Natural Stone

When looking at the design, if you are trying to utilize the natural stone in your yard as
inspiration, this could lead you to build your water features and ascents from genuine
stones. Places like Northern California have many varieties and a supply of stone
boulders at affordable prices. “You are using rocks native to your surrounding area to
blend in with your area. It will look like something more natural there,” said Steve
Spencer of Spencer Masonry. However, suppose you are looking to use a stone that is
not easily accessible to your area. In that case, this can become expensive when
transporting.

Going Faux

This would be an excellent opportunity to use faux rock instead. This is what happened
with Mrs. Farrell’s pool. Mrs. Farrell initially explained that they would use natural
sandstone for their cave. Unfortunately, they could not locate a large enough stone to
create their dream grotto locally. The next best thing was faux rock. Searching for a
large enough stone is not an issue with fake rock. You can create on-site whatever size or type you need. This also solves yard logistic issues, such as yards on cliffs with
narrow access points.

Making Your Selection

When creating rock designs for a pool and spa, asking your customers for images that
represent what they want is best. The Farrell family changed the whole look of the
cavern and slid from sandstone to granite, which looked like their favorite yearly
vacation spot in Lake Tahoe. Before finding granite boulders matching the image, they
were expensive and hard to find locally. With faux rock, the sculpture could add every
little detail, from shape, texture, moss, and even the waterline on the rock.
You can do some cool stuff with real rock. Real rock is amazing. It cannot be
manipulated like we can manipulate mortar,” Anthony Miranda with Poseidon Pools
commented.

Weighing The Pros & Cons

The time it takes to create these rock wonders depends on how intricate the design is.
Natural rock takes time to transport, place, and secure, but a complete grotto with a
water feature could sometimes take a week. Faux stone can take up to three times
longer than natural rock because of the person-hours to cut, bend, mold, crave, and
paint it.

Durability

If you are looking for rock material that can last. Really, stone is the better choice. Since
it is naturally made, the chances of weakness in the wall are not there. Also, the
concern is that waterproofing is not required. Steve Spencer mentions, “I have seen real
rock structures last 20 years” Unlike natural stone, faux rock does need to have
waterproofing considered. Anthony Miranda found applying Mircoglass to the simulated
rock structure extends the life of his creations. Microglass is a deep penetrating water-
based product. It “chemically converts and displaces the soft, vulnerable calcium hydroxide with small but significantly harder glass-like silicates.” It fills the voids in concrete-based material to give a more durable and lasting surface.

Cost Considerations

Regarding the oldest question in human existence, how much does it cost? Natural rock
can be more cost-effective. As was mentioned, faux stone takes time. Because of that
time, it is not always an economical option. But that is when you need to outweigh the
cost of what is best for the customer’s pool build.

Photo Credits: Anthony Miranda – Poseidon Pools – Sacramento, CA | Steve Spencer – Spencers Masonry – Sacramento, CA

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Acid washing freshly placed plaster is one of the most destructive things you can possibly do to the surface of a swimming pool.  Meaning that the difference between a pH of 13 and a pH of 0 is 1,000,000,000,000. Yes, you read that right, one trillion.  In this white paper that I wrote with Jon Temple of Tempool Inc. we’ll explore why acid washing fresh pool plaster can be so disastrous.

The Acidity of Concrete

Freshly placed concrete has a high pH of 12.5-13. The high pH originates from the alkaline cement binder that creates concrete. The dissolved cement spreads this high pH throughout the matrix of the concrete. The same chemistry occurs within cement-based pool plaster.

Fresh concrete’s high pH makes it more volatile in response to chemical exposure. It is so sensitive to acidic conditions, that it even reacts with the carbon dioxide in the air, a process called carbonation. This process will eventually affect the concrete at deeper levels.

Washing virgin plaster or cement surfaces with an acid solution of 0, will be extremely detrimental to the lifespan of the concrete. The thinner veneer of plaster is even more susceptible to long-term damage by acid exposure.

Chemical Reactions To Lead To Degradation

When the pH of concrete drops below 9, the chemical nature of the cement has been altered so much that it begins to lose its ability to bind. This is most evident on the surface of the concrete, as it begins to chalk, flake, spall or release aggregates (etching). As these layers decay, they further expose the underlying layers to degradation.

To expose aggregates, a high pH solution should be utilized to minimize the damage to the cement. Even a rinse solution with a pH of 7.5 is better than one of 0, since the pH scale is logarithmic – that is each 1.0 change on the scale is a 10 fold change in the intensity. A final rinse with a pH solution of 13, will restore the surface of the cement to its natural pH state of 13.

Exposing and rinsing the cement surface with solutions that are closer to the 13 pH of cement will ensure that the plaster company does not prematurely damage or etch the cement surface.

Swimming Pool Expert Witness

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Let’s face it… quality help is hard to find. You cannot have quality pool construction without quality people, either direct reports or sub-contractors.

More than having specialists, the correct employee must be assigned to the tasks at hand. The job site supervisor must understand the project expectations and make sure that the right talent is assigned to the proper task.

The supervisor must have the knowledge of how to perform the tasks. They must have the ability and authority to train subcontractors and employees on the company’s expectations and methodologies. On-the-job training cannot occur if the supervisor themselves does not possess the requisite knowledge. You must invest in your employee’s professional development, in order to create a better product.

Employees with specialized skills and interests should be encouraged to further develop those skills. Employers should embrace industry seminars and manufacturer training to further hone these skills. After all, you cannot deliver quality projects without quality people.

Communication

Nothing dovetails together more than effective communication and quality control. You must develop a consistent means for everyone on a project to communicate expectations, project specifics & details, project progress and scheduling, job site safety & compliance, policies and procedures. A lack of communication often results in costly change orders of corrective measures.

Instituting Quality Controls With Your Team

Quality control needs to be included in every team meeting with employees and sub-contractors, to ensure it remains on the forefront of everyone’s mind.

Communications should occur on a regular schedule via a digital platform that records the messages, tasks and assignments. These construction messaging platforms ensure that there are no misinterpretations and that the collaboration is smooth and efficient.

These platforms standardize the communications channels, document the decisions and approvals, and ensure that the follow-through occurs.

Planning & Documentation

Inadequate planning almost always results in poor quality, delays, defects, re-work, and cost overruns. On a fixed-price contract, these will affect the bottom line. Each year, billions of dollars are spent by US construction firms, simply because of inadequate project documentation.

I could drone on for months about the importance of detailed plans, sections, scaled drawings, written specifications, MEP schematics and material lists.

Failing To Plan = Planning To Fail

One of the most common causes of errors and losses beyond having inadequate plans, are the slow response to RFI’s and change orders. Work often must cease or efforts shifted, while the approvals or clarifications are received. Sometimes the work proceeds without approvals or clarification, which may not eventually be a correct decision.

Even the simplest project will incur deviations from the original project plans or intent. Short delays in change order approvals or RFI responses often result in scheduling delays, deficient quality, or remediation.

Implementing a document management program is critical for the success of any construction project:

1. The centralized document database must be word-searchable. It should identify each document in which a word/phrase appears.

2. Hierarchical access should be provided to all stakeholders.

3. All project documents should be archived (proposals, plans, revisions, RFI’s, change orders, shop drawings, punch lists, etc.).

4. Archive access should remain available throughout the project.

Document management through a digital archive will result in better quality control, swifter communication, fewer miscommunications and improved project quality.

Swimming Pool Expert Witness

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Water, the essence of life, can harbor imperceptible perils in the form of waterborne diseases. Within the United States, a multitude of cases of waterborne infections are contracted annually, imposing a substantial toll on public health. Pseudomonas and the RWIs (recreational water illnesses) derived from them are one concern in particular that swimmers need to be aware of.

What is Pseudomonas?

Pseudomonas is a type of bacteria, specifically the genus Pseudomonas, which includes various species. One of the species within this genus that is relevant to RWIs is Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a common environmental bacterium that can cause infections in humans under certain circumstances. It is known to be an opportunistic pathogen, meaning it primarily affects people with weakened immune systems or those who are already ill.

When it comes to swimming pools, Pseudomonas aeruginosa can be of concern because it has the potential to cause a condition known as “hot tub rash” or “hot tub folliculitis.” This condition is characterized by itchy and sometimes painful red bumps or rash that develop on the skin after exposure to contaminated water, such as in hot tubs, pools, and water playgrounds.

The reasons why Pseudomonas aeruginosa can become a problem in swimming pool settings include:

1. Warm Water: Pseudomonas bacteria thrive in warm water environments, which are often found in heated swimming pools and hot tubs.
2. Moist Environment: The bacteria can survive and multiply in the moist environment of swimming pools and hot tubs, especially if proper water disinfection and maintenance practices are not followed.
3. Insufficient Chlorination: Inadequate disinfection, usually due to low chlorine levels or poor maintenance of chlorine levels, can allow Pseudomonas bacteria to proliferate.
4. Lack of Circulation: Stagnant water areas or poor water circulation can create pockets where bacteria can grow.
5. Contaminated Water Sources: If the water supply to the pool or hot tub is contaminated with Pseudomonas bacteria, it can lead to infections among swimmers.
6. Lack of Hygiene: Swimmers who don’t shower before entering the pool can introduce bacteria and other contaminants into the water.

A revolutionary study titled “Assessing the Burden of Waterborne Infectious Diseases by Exposure Pathway in the United States, 2014” has illuminated the magnitude of this concern, particularly concerning diseases emanating from swimming pools. This piece delves into the pivotal discoveries of the research and spotlights the profound insights shared by microbial physiologist Roy Vore and chemist Jenn Huang in an exclusive two-part episode of the Talking Pools Podcast on July 28, 2023.

The Startling Statistics of Pool-Linked Diseases

The study’s staggering figures reveal that in 2014 alone, the United States witnessed an excess of 7.15 million instances of domestically acquired waterborne infections. Tragically, these infections culminated in 120,000 hospitalizations and 6,600 fatalities. Such data underscores the exigent necessity to effectively address waterborne diseases.

A key facet of the study was the meticulous breakdown of disease incidence according to diverse exposure pathways: recreational water, potable water, and non-recreational non-potable (NRNP) water. Recreational water, encompassing pools, hot tubs, and natural water bodies, constituted the source for approximately 5.61 million illnesses, securing its place as the predominant exposure route.

Potable water, drawn from public systems, private wells, or commercial containers, accounted for around 1.13 million illnesses. NRNP water, employed for non-leisure activities like agriculture or medical applications, contributed to roughly 407,000 instances of waterborne ailments. Acquiring a comprehensive understanding of these exposure routes is pivotal in directing preventive actions and optimizing resource allocation.

The Role of Biofilms

The study also underscored the prominence of biofilms in waterborne infections. Biofilms form as thin layers of microorganisms on diverse surfaces within water systems, such as pipes and filters. Pathogens ensconced within biofilms present formidable challenges for eradication, serving as a substantial source of infections.

Insights from the Experts

In the episode of the Talking Pools Podcast, microbial physiologist Roy Vore and chemist Jenn Huang shared invaluable insights. They emphasized the necessity for water management initiatives to combat the proliferation of pathogens within biofilms, particularly within recreational water venues. Additionally, public health campaigns are pivotal in averting biofilm-related diseases and safeguarding community well-being.

Learn more at CPOClass.com:
https://cpoclass.com/swimming-pool-diseases/

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Pool industry professionals certainly came away excited about all of the new and innovative products and materials they saw at the recent Coverings event in Orlando, Fl. However, when selecting which pool tile materials to use it is vital to learn the differences between the US ANSI standards and the EU ISO standards which are not the same. Consequently, ANSI standards are more stringent.

It’s important not to buy into the sales presentation and perform your due diligence before choosing a product. Using materials that are not suitable for the application could potentially expose you to liability should there be a failure.

ANSI A137-2017 are the standards for tile performance (A137.1 Ceramic Tiles & A137.2 Glass Tiles). Below are the minimum performance characteristics for ceramic tiles for submerged aquatic applications, the applicable test methods, and the minimum standards required.

One important factor to consider, porcelain tiles are 50% feldspar and are fired at much higher temperatures than regular ceramic tiles. This makes them much harder and denser than regular ceramic tiles. Porcelain tiles are a sub-group of the broader ceramic tile group, to which these standards apply.

10 Important Factors To Consider When Choosing Pool Tile Materials

1. COEFFICIENT OF FRICTION (COF – TCNA: DCOF Acutest test method).

There are two types: Static (SCOF) and Dynamic (DCOF). COF is the ratio of forces necessary to initiate sliding between two surfaces. The outdated ASTM C1028 static test measured the SCOF.

DCOF is the ratio of the force necessary to maintain sliding between two surfaces. The higher the DCOF, the more slip resistant the surface. This may not be of any concern underwater, but of grave concern on a pool deck or locker room floor. Industry standards generally accept ≥0.42 DCOF for commercial floor applications. Wet/dry locations, like aquatic locker rooms or moveable pool floors, may require ≥0.60 DCOF.

2. WATER ABSORPTION (ASTM C373-88 test method)

Tiles are weighed dry and again after soaking in water. The weight gain determines the percentage of absorption. Tiles are rated as follows:

Impervious: Tiles exhibiting 0.5% or less.

Vitreous: Tiles exhibiting more than 0.5%, but not more than 3.0%.

Semi-Vitreous: Tiles exhibiting more than 3.0%, but not more than 7.0%.

Non-Vitreous: Tiles exhibiting more than 7.0%.

3. FROST RESISTANCE (ASTM C1026 test method)

Directly related to water absorption. You can see that any absorbed water will be detrimental in a freeze condition – the expansion of freezing water will crack the tiles. Porcelain tile, by definition has a water absorption of less than 0.5%, making it frost proof as well. For aquatic applications we want impervious pool tile materials.

4. SCRATCH HARDNESS (MOH’S SCALE RATINGS)

The hardness of a tile’s surface will determine how it wears. The surface is scratched and a MOH’s hardness rating assigned. MOH’s scale 1- Talc (softest) to 10 Diamond (hardest). A hardness of 5 is suitable for residential flooring. A hardness of 7 or greater is usually recommended for commercial or outdoor applications.

5. BREAKING STRENGTH CERAMIC TILE (ASTM C648-04 test method)

Ceramic floor tiles must be able to support the loads exerted upon them. The test applies a force in pounds, to an unsupported tile until it breaks. Your selection should be based upon the anticipated maximum loads. Properly installed tiles, with a supporting setting bed that is free of voids, will be able to support significantly greater loads. These breaking values are for comparison purposes.

6. CHEMICAL RESISTANCE (ASTM C650-04 test method)

In this test, sample tiles are placed in various chemical baths for 24 hours, rinsed and examined for surface damage. For aquatic venues, it is desired to have the greatest level of chemical resistance.

7. SHADE VARIATIONS

This is a purely a cosmetic evaluation as to the consistency of the tile shades within a production lot.

Monochromatic (V0) – Very uniform, monochromatic color.

Low (V1) – Consistent color within each tile and from tile to tile.

Medium (V2) – Color variation within each tile.

High (V3) – Variation from tile to tile & within each tile.

Random (V4) – Considerable variation from tile to tile.

8. ABRASION RESISTANCE (ASTM C1027-99 test method)

The durability of the glazed surface is examined following the abrasion testing. The performance classifications and recommended uses are listed below:

CLASS 0 – Not recommended for use on floors.

CLASS 1 – (Light Residential) Light Traffic – Residential floor coverings in areas subject to soft-soled footwear or normal footwear traffic, without scratching dirt (i.e. domestic bathrooms and bedrooms without exterior access).

CLASS 2 (Residential) Medium to Light Traffic – Residential floor coverings in areas subject to soft-soled footwear or normal footwear traffic with small amounts of scratching dirt (i.e. rooms in the living areas of homes except kitchens, entrances and other areas that may be subjected to high usage).

CLASS 3 (Heavy Residential or Light Commercial) Medium to Heavy Traffic – Residential or light commercial may withstand normal footwear and regular traffic, with some dirt and/or other abrasives present in limited quantities. Tile in this class may be used in light commercial installations with limited foot traffic and with no direct access to the outside. Examples may include residential kitchens and hallways with limited traffic from the outside.

CLASS 4 (Commercial) Heavy Traffic – Residential and commercial floor coverings subjected to considerable traffic and scratching dirt (i.e. entrances, workrooms, inns, exhibition halls, and sales rooms, as well as other rooms in public and private buildings). Floors should be adequately protected against scratching dirt at the entrances to buildings by either floor mats or some other footwear cleaning device.

CLASS 5 (Heavy Commercial) Heavy Traffic – Heavy commercial floor coverings subject to heavy traffic with very abrasive soil.

9. STAIN RESISTANCE (ASTM 1378 test method)

This test is intended to determine the resistance to staining of tile surfaces. Class A – provides maximum stain resistance

10. MOUNTING METHOD

While not a part of the ANSI A137.1 standard, in submerged applications, the TCNA standards require that 95% of the back of the tile be in contact with the thinset. Care must be taken when choosing a porcelain tile for an aquatic environment, to ensure that the combination of the mesh and glue to not occupy more than 5% of the contact surface. It’s easy to evaluate the mesh, but not the glue. Worse yet, is if the glues soften in water.

Selecting The Best Pool Tile Materials

To summarize when selecting the best pool tile materials for aquatic applications we would desire the following minimum characteristics:

1. DCOF – not critical in submerged applications, but values of ≥0.42 for flooring, ≥0.60 wet/dry floors.

2. Water Absorption – Impervious, Tiles exhibiting 0.5% or less.

3. FROST RESISTANT – Yes.

4. SCRATCH HARDNESS – MOH’s 6-7.

5. BREAKING STRENGTH – Exceed PSI loads.

6. CHEMICAL RESISTANCE – Chemical resistant.

7. SHADE VARIATIONS – purely cosmetic.

8. ABRASION RESISTANCE – Class 3-5.

9. STAIN RESISTANCE – Class A.

10. MOUNTING METHOD – free of glue and mesh backing.

Below are the equivalent US / ISO European standards:

• Slip Resistance: TCNA DCOF Acutest / ISO NONE
• Abrasion Resistance Glazed ASTM C1027/ISO 10545-7
• Frost Resistance ASTM C1026 / ISO 10543-12
• Water Absorption ASTM C373 / ISO 10545-3
• Chemical Resistance ASTM C650 / ISO 10545-13
• Break Strength ASTM C648 / ISO 10545-4
• Stain Resistance ASTM C1378 / ISO 10545-14
• Scratch Hardness MOHS Scale / ISO MOH Scale

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In this issue, I am honored to introduce you to my dear friend and business associate, Ludivine “Ludi” Perrin-Stsepaniuk, President and Creative Director of Ovia Entertainment, an aquatic-centric production and training company in Las Vegas, NV. Affectionately known as Ludi, she is an accomplished aquatic performer, synchro competitor, choreographer, and coach. 

For over 3 decades her life and career has been centered around pools. Her aquatic achievements grow more impressive every year. One of Ludi’s latest feats is being cast as an aquatic stunt performer in the mega hit AVATAR: The Way of Water.  Her journey to that role is quite storied.  

We first meet in 2017, when she graciously agreed to participate in Paragon Pools’ Float Like A Duck water safety PSA “Learning to Swim, led me to…” series. The videos in English and Spanish were created to inform and inspire youth about exciting adventures and career opportunities one can enjoy from learning how to swim.

The PSA’s showcase a wide range of individuals and groups from around the Southern Nevada community who credit their path to personal growth, success, and accomplishments in sports, academics, and careers from learning to swim. 

For Ludi, that declaration is extremely meaningful, learning to swim wasn’t just a stepping stone- it became her life’s stage.  “I feel that learning to swim saved my life… it has guided me through my life.”  

Born in Nimes, France in 1984, Ludi began swimming at age 2. “I took lessons at the local public pool,” recalls Ludi. “When I was 4, my parents had a pool built in our backyard. It was very deep, I believe the shallow end was around 5 feet, this required me to tread water and swim constantly.” 

Foray into Synchronized Swimming 

“My sister Virginie was 9-years older and a synchro swimmer, I looked up to her and she inspired me to join the sport. In those days, typical synchro swimmers were very tall with slender long legs.  I didn’t fit that profile, I was more petite, but my sister told me that synchro could be my ticket out of our hometown. If I worked hard then everyone would want me on their team.”  

At age 6, she joined the small synchro club where her sister swam. Her love for the aquatic sport magnified when she attended “Sirella” the first French water show starring French Olympic medalist Muriel Hermine. Ludi’s hard work paid off, at age 12 she was recruited to swim for one of the top clubs in Aix-en-Provence. Following numerous national titles, Ludi moved to Paris to swim with the senior national team at INSEP where she competed for 2 years and earned national titles.  

“It taught me to work hard for what I wanted, work hard and anything is possible.” 

Ludi moved to Belgium in 2004 where she joined the creation team of Le Reve, an aquatic themed show created by Franco Dragone and choreographed by Guiliano Peparini.  In 2005, she was part of the opening cast at the Wynn Las Vegas and performed nightly with the show for 10 years, totaling over 5,000 performances.   

Ludi’s talents earned her the position of synchro team captain in 2012.  In this role, Ludi excelled.  

“I really enjoyed training new performers, coaching castmates, and getting an opportunity to choreograph sequences. I knew I could do it and I wanted to be more in control. This is when I decided I wanted to be my own boss.”  

2016 was a turning point for Ludi, she was named Head Coach to the Nevada Desert Mermaids (NDM) synchronized swim team and founded her company Ovia Entertainment.  A highly sought-after performer and choreographer, Ludi and her Ovia performers have been featured in TV, films, commercials, and music videos, as well as in print.   

“I feel like I really developed every aspect of what you can do with water. I love creating, coaching, and teaching swimming.”   

Analyzing a Pool 

As a pool designer/builder when I’m traveling or visiting someone with a pool, my instinct is to analyze the pool, how it was designed, constructed, and how well its maintained. When you come upon a pool how do you assess it?   

“My teams and I have performed in pools across the globe. The first thing I do if its coaching, performing, shooting, whatever, is put my hand in and check the temperature. Any synchro swimmer will do that- you check the temperature, because that will tell you how your day is going to go. The warmer the better, especially when you spend 12-hours in it, the ideal water temperature is 89 degrees.”  

“Then, I check the chlorine level and water quality, these are very important.  In my sport, we don’t wear goggles. In a highly chlorinated pool, we won’t be able to work as long. Alternative sanitizers are much better. For any visual jobs such as shooting underwater for a movie, commercials, photos, or music videos the clarity of the water is also important.   

The next thing is I look at is the design and shape of the pool. I like to use the whole set-up, to highlight the entire pool for the client. I ask about the depth of the pool, if we can use the water features, where the audience will be standing, and determine where the performers will enter the pool. I also confirm they have working lights. For evening performances, we need lights for safety. But I love it when we can have different colored lights because it really adds to the mood of the choreography. It makes it look more like a stage. The tag line for my company is Transforming Pools into Magical Liquid Stages! We always feel so lucky when we have a beautiful pool because it’s our stage.” 

Pools and Safety 

You mentioned safety earlier, what are some of the safety elements that you look for to ensure your synchro teams and performers are safe?  

“If it’s an evening performance, working underwater lights are critical. We need it to see the interior and sides of the pool, as well as spot each other. But it’s especially important when we are doing acrobatics in the water. The performers need to check their surroundings before doing a back-flip off someone’s shoulders. If they get too close to the wall someone could get really hurt. I will also check the pool deck. There are a lot of deck tiles that are very slippery. We test it by getting the entire deck wet and check to see if we can dance, jump, and twirl on it.  If its slippery, then we adapt the choreography. Water quality is also safety concern. If we arrive and the pool is in bad condition, we will offer a dry show instead of performing in the pool. I also talk with the pool manager and lifeguard about our activities and review the signal for danger- arms crossed in an X with closed fists.  Whether it’s my performers or the athletic team, I will be the first one to jump in, why because I know the choreography, I know what looks natural, and I know what it looks like when that person is in distress.”  

Coaching 

“In 2015, while I was still performing in Le Reve, the French National Synchro Team wanted to come to Las Vegas to do a camp, and they asked me to be their manager. I contacted the local synchro team, the Nevada Desert Mermaids (NDM) for advice and help on renting pools, sound systems, and organizing the activities. I built a relationship with the Head Coach Linda Tannenbaum. A year later, Linda contacted me inquiring if I knew someone who could help in coaching the junior team 1-day a week. I accepted the parttime position and got hooked again. I just loved coaching the kids and seeing how fast they would improve. When the Head Coaching position opened, I applied for it, become the Head Coach in 2016.” 

Ludi has also been a part of USA Synchronized Swimming since 2016, starting as a guest coach and graduating to the level of Head Coach for a number of teams.  In 2018, Ludi was named USA Synchro West Zone “Coach of the Year”.  In 2020, USA Synchronized Swimming officially changed their name to USA Artistic Swimming. Her success as a coach has resulted in an abundance of medals and championships for her teams. 

“I was head coach for the USA Junior National Team for the first ever Junior Pan Am Games in Columbia held in 2021. We won the first ever gold medal presented in the Games and finished with a total of 7 medals. Then, I was named Head Coach of the USA Artistic Swimming Youth Team for the FINA World Youth Artistic Swimming Championships in 2022. We presented in every event, they swam very well and finished with the highest cumulative score, winning the championship and the world trophy. For me that was a huge accomplishment, one of the highlights of my coaching career. I had a dream team, and a great assistant coach. I cried when the US anthem played because I knew I had made it. I became a US citizen in 2021, so putting my hand on my heart and singing the national anthem was very emotional.” 

Le Reve- the dream! 

Created for Wynn Las Vegas, Le Reve was set in a unique aquatic theater-in-the-round stage. The 27’ deep swimming pool had a capacity of more than 1 million US gallons and housed moving stages and props, longline regulators, underwater cameras, speaker systems, fire elements, and an scuba crew to assist the performers.   

What was it like being a part of Le Reve?  

“It was hard to believe it at first, it was like a dream. I always had to work so hard as a competitive athlete but with Le Reve it felt so natural. They liked my style and that boosted my confidence. Like me, all the synchro swimmers were right out of competition, none of us had experience in shows, we didn’t know what to expect.  We created a nice bond, going through the good and hard times together. Franco’s direction was, I want something aquatic, but I don’t want synchronized swimming. We had to create a lot of different pieces. The Aquatic Choreographer Dacha Nedorezova had us try ugly things, for us it looked ugly- not pointing our feet, not being perfectly in-sync.   

The creation and training year was incredible, they had a red-carpet entrance for the first day, they gave us an apartment for 2, a car to share with 4 people, they fed us at work, provided us with food per diems, and a salary. For me, going from an athlete with no salary to getting paid for what I love, was like wow this is really what I want to do. I felt like a rock star. 

Castmates were from across the globe, speaking different languages. I spoke French and learned a little English. When the show was ready and we moved to Las Vegas, it was a different experience. I was 20 years old, I had to really learn English, and how everything worked in the US, it was definitely a big culture shock. But I was lucky, fellow castmate, acrobat Raman Stsepaniuk and I fell in love, and we were married in 2008.” 

The AVATAR Experience 

Since opening Ovia Entertainment, you and/or your performers have been in some amazing projects.  One of the highpoints is being cast as an aquatic stunt performer for the movie AVATAR: The Way of Water.  Tell us about that experience.  

“First the audition was amazing, you had to be invited. I was lucky to have a friend and former Le Reve castmate submit me for consideration. The audition was mainly to see how we moved in the water and how long we could hold our breath.” 

Synchro swimmers are stunning athletes known for having incredible stamina, strength, and breath holding ability. There are numerous interviews with the stars of the movie detailing how they were taught the art of freediving, several learned to hold their breaths for 5 minutes or longer underwater. Did you undergo any of that training? 

“Yes, we were trained by a professional. Freediving is very different than synchronized swimming, in freediving you learn how to take more air into your lungs, and how to calm your heartrate, it is a very different way to warm up your lungs. In synchro you are not calm you are very energetic, and you only have seconds to grab breaths during a routine. I do stress that people should not try this on their own, they should work with a trained professional to learn the technique.” 

When you watch the movie at the theatre, what are your thoughts?   

“I’ve seen the movie numerous times, I cry every time I watch it, not just because I was lucky to be a part of it but because the story line is amazing. James Cameron inspired me so much, the way he would explain a scene and his imagination was so beautiful. I remember how mesmerizing he was and how he got me hooked to the scene. He was telling a story and building our character. Now in my sport they judge performance and musicality in competition, I use his technique to explain the routine to the swimmers.   

Seeing my name in the credits is surreal.  I have such a tiny role, but the title of the movie and story line truly resonates with me. For me, water is my way of life, I just loved the story behind it. In the Scully’s new home, they learn to adapt to it, to live surrounded by water, in the water, and respect for the creatures in the water. That’s why it’s so relevant to me, I can relate to the characters in the script, the locals trying to teach the new commers how to respect the water.”  

Advice for Small Business Owners 

As a small business owner, Ludi has become very successful in carving a niche in the entertainment industry. Only two years after founding Ovia Entertainment, she was named to the 2018 Vegas, Inc. 40 Under 40 business professionals, a very distinguished and highly competitive accolade. Over 300 nominations were submitted for consideration. Ludi was one of 19 women named to the list and the only female business owner to receive the honor.  

Many pool builders and retailers are small business owners like yourself. Do you have any advice for them?   

“It’s all about the quality of your product, project, or service, I don’t want to go cheap, stay true to yourself and don’t go the cheap way. Yes, my price may be a little bit higher, but they need to understand why they are going to pay for that service.  

My second advice would be to really listen to what the client wants. I look for the approval of the clients, that’s very important to me. I focus on the quality of my projects and the satisfaction of my clients.   

Know your craft, but you can always learn something new. I am an expert in synchro swimming, but I can always find someone who knows more than I do on a certain subject. I had never done freediving or motion capture until AVATAR, the experts on set taught me. It makes me richer in skills. Learn from others, learn from your competition, and from your mistakes. Accept and own your mistake, apologize, and promise you will make it right. 

Adapt and adjust to circumstances. We all learned from Covid about adapting. The mantra for Le Reve was “The show must go on”, we never cancelled a show. So, this is just how I live my life.  

You also need to be a good problem solver. I’m a good problem solver, especially when I have a timeline, I’m going to be very stressed out for 24 or 36 hours, but I will find a solution.”  

Functionality of a Pool  

When Joey and I meet with a client, there are some key questions we ask to assist us in designing their project.  Function is a key element, how they intend to use the pool.  Is there any advice you would like to give to pool builders when it comes to functionality of a pool.  

“I’ve been to a lot of different pools. I mentioned it earlier, the safety element using non-slip deck tiles around a pool and the use of alternative sanitizers. I also prefer entry steps in the pool instead of ladders. I love wet decks, it adds so much more character to the pool, and I use them in my shows. I also love the look of the infinity edge. And lastly, underwater sound systems would be a huge plus in pools.”   

The Future 

You have already hit some major highpoints, what does the future hold for Ludi? 

“I have a few dreams. I feel accomplished when I’m really a part of the project, where I have more control, because that’s who I am, I like to lead, I like to have a say in it. I would love to expand my creative side, to create aquatic stunt segments for motion pictures, and to develop an aquatic themed show in Las Vegas. In 2020, I choreographed a cast of more than 2-dozen aquatic performers for the VIP opening night party of the Circa Resort & Casino at Stadium Swim. And in 2021, I was hired as the aquatic choreographer for the music video Seduce by hip-hop artist Russ. Shot in Atlanta, GA, I had a cast of 26 synchro swimmers.

Both experiences were very satisfying creatively. Another dream is to build my own aquatic training center, a pool where we could do everything from swimming lessons to artistic swimming, high-level training, diving, and aquatic stunts.” 

Ovia Entertainment – “Transforming Pools into Magical Liquid Stages!” 702-505-3687  https://oviaentertainment.com/  

Featured Photo: Ludivine “Ludi” Perrin-Stsepaniuk, President of Ovia Entertainment, Head Coach for the Nevada Desert Mermaids (NDM) and Coach for USA Artistic Swimming, on deck at the NDM training pool in Las Vegas. ) 

Photo Credit: Mary Vail, MBA Publicist 

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