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26-30 WATER FUN:SPN Master pages 14/7/09 14:54 Page 3
spnfeature
W
ater is a great natural
playground – it’s a magnet for
fun and play.
Water slides, wave machines, mushroom
showers, multilevel play structures, tipping
buckets, pipe falls, spray rails, throw in
floats... a multitude of features are
available from simple pool toys to more
complex structures. The presence of even
the simplest of water features will hold the
imagination and captivation of an
enthusiastic child. And the influence on the
parent to keep returning to the fun is a
powerful factor.
So toys spell popularity, which spell
attendance, which spell financial benefits.
But in the search to provide swimming
pools with a host of fun activities there’s a
challenge. How do pool operators and
owners keep their pools full of happily active
youngsters while providing swimming
opportunities for adults, never mind toddlers,
the disabled and even non swimmers?
The pool industry is having to renew its
‘Kid Appeal’. The allurement of
‘interactive water features’ is becoming
more widely known. The old Fun Sessions
with the edible foam mats, diving bricks
and oversized inflatables are no longer
enough or now too hazardous. Older
children need more exciting, challenging
play like firing squirting cannons, flying
through flumes with 360 degree turns,
racing against timers, taking on rapid rides
and climbing through multilevel play
structures is exactly what they want.
Just as important, the younger children
are being encouraged to respond to
sensory stimulation as we learn more and
more of the benefits of this type of play.
Bright colours, tactile materials, interactive
functions all facilitate an increase in water
confidence and enjoyment.
The UK market has a small number of
major players. Hippo Leisure and Aqua
Drolics who supply some of the Certikin
range are the biggest players.
Claire Mollet from Hippo Leisure urges
more pool operators to ‘Buy British’. While
a large proportion of the pool toys
available in the UK come from Van Egdom
and Aqua Drolics in Holland, Hippo
proudly boasts of its UK pedigree.
“The market for these pool products in
the UK isn’t huge but it’s a busy lively
market and one with great potential.
“Creating a wet play environment that
children want to come back and visit time
after time does not have to be beyond the
realms of budgetary constraints or
“THE PRESENCE OF EVEN THE
building and pool design. Many existing
leisure centres have existing water
SIMPLEST OF WATER FEATURES WILL
features that can be revived and
regenerated to create all singing all
HOLD THE IMAGINATION AND
dancing modern play equipment.
“With this positive momentum in full
CAPTIVATION OF AN ENTHUSIASTIC
swing, it is now down to the leisure
managers to be creative and increase
CHILD. AND THE INFLUENCE ON THE
their appeal to the crucial family market
by providing solid entertainment and
PARENT TO KEEP RETURNING TO THE
family fun sessions to attract, draw and
keep this revenue.”
FUN IS A POWERFUL FACTOR”
Visit our website at www.swimmingpoolnews.co.uk AUGUST 09 swimming pool news 27
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