www.swimmingpoolnews.co.uk
SwimSpas OCT 2010 SPN
37
THIS: A deck mounted Fastlane in Spain from Endless Pools RIGHT: A stunning indoor installation from Endless Pools
Tony Welsby at Spa Crest Europe based in Wigan says there’s a number of reasons why swim spas are going well.
“I think swimming pools can be seen to be less attractive because of the tougher climate. If people are interested in swimming then the swim spa in a smaller confined space in the garden with cheaper running costs and a lot less hassle is a very attractive alternative.
“For what it’s worth I am a great believer in ‘if you are going to swim, then have something deep enough and long enough and powerful enough’. This being the case we have developed, in conjunction with its manufacturer, the Powerswim. “The Powerswim deviates from the run of the mill swim spas, as our idea is that you swim and exercise in a unit specifically designed for that purpose and you can have a hot tub of your choice of specification and size placed at the back of it if in-ground or somewhere in the vicinity if it’s above- ground. There are several advantages to this idea, firstly the Powerswim has an actual water depth of 1.40 metres (actual unit height of 1.53m), clearly deep enough for any type of swimming or hydrotherapy exercise – most swim spas have a water depth of between 1.05m and 1.20m. “The Powerswim has the ability to provide variable water flow through its six swim jets of 730 – 2,200 litres per minute to cater for the swimmers ability or choice of stroke. So you can see the advantages against ‘normal’ swim spas. “Both of these spas fall into the mainstream designs utilised by other manufacturers of providing a swim area in a spa derived unit. Both are well designed with good specification and good value for money without being an out and out swimming unit like the Powerswim. I think we will never agree in the industry as to what is right or wrong but the market is big enough for everyone’s approach to the concept of a swim spa.
“Swim spas have loads of applications,” agrees Chris Wheatley of the Canadian Spa Company. “They are great for working out, so fitness buffs are keen on them. They are excellent for playing and splashing around with the kids, and they can
be kept cool like a pool or hot like a spa, or anywhere in between. Heating them in winter is much cheaper than a pool, and they cost a fraction of what a pool does.”
“In terms of design, keep it simple,” says Wheatley. “Stay away from TVs and audio systems as they only come with a one year guarantee on these add-ons and they have a very high failure rate. Look for companies with a manufacturing presence in the UK, look for good ozone purification systems, and look for companies that have been around for at least five to 10 years.” The Canadian Spa Company has its St Lawrence model, aimed at the aquatic fitness market. The spa is over 14’ long, and its swim jets create currents from a gentle flow that is ideal for water jogging and resistance exercises. Users can also take advantage of a ‘swim lane system’ to prevent the swimmer pulling towards one side or the other, and there is a massage function to help wind down after a workout.
The appropriately named Endless Pools are very active in the sector, and dispatches its spas in kit form. While the company will supply a trained fitter to install the pool, it is also possible for the end user to put the equipment together themselves. The pool’s propulsion unit can move up to 5,000 gallons of water per minute, while the current is generated by a propeller inside a protective housing that is driven by a hydraulic motor. Their signature product, the Original
Endless Pool is designed to fit just about anywhere, indoors or outside. Because of its modular design, it can be installed indoors in existing spaces. All of the components of an Original Endless Pool fit easily through doorways and down stairs. The modular design also allows for pools of varying sizes from 2.13m x 3.66m to 3.05m x 4.88m. This flexibility has allowed more than 10,000 customers to realise the dream of swimming at home in an Original Endless Pool. Swim spas have become a key part of hydrotherapy recovery facilities for professional sports clubs.
Some of the highest profile football clubs in the world, Manchester United, Chelsea, Tottenham and Aston Villa have all installed swim spas as part of the facilities.
Certikin’s range of swim spas comes from Spain’s leading spa manufacturer Iberspa and they are aware of the growing market trend. This new range of swim spas offers a Standard and Deluxe model available with an integral spa pack plus an in-ground model with a remote spa pack. Both swim spas have 5 Turbo Jets to provide a counter flow swim trainer. Certikin has also has considerable success with the Riviera Modena product.
The Modena is fitted with a strong counter- current unit that has adjustable jets and air controls, which can make the water stream softer or harder. It caters for total body workout with a
“I think swimming pools can be seen to be
less attractive because of the tougher climate. If people are interested in swimming then the swim spa in a smaller confined space in the
garden with cheaper running costs and a lot less hassle is a very attractive alternative”
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