isits to the www.michaelphelpswimspas.co.uk site have topped the 230,000 mark as promotion of the celebrity range is hailed a huge success.

A year after the launch of the Master Spas’ Michael Phelps Signature Spas, the promotion of the celebrity swim spa range has been hailed a huge success.
The swim spa was recently prominently featured on Sky’s popular sports quiz programme, A League Of Their Own, helping boost views of the www.michaelphelpswimspas.co.uk site to 230,000 in addition to a host of other You Tube sites showing the unique features of the MPS range and the underwater exercise equipment available for it.
In Britain, Master Spas Europe has adopted a soft-sell approach to a trade sector, driven more by price than quality. They have been concentrating first on their established dealership network throughout Europe and then working through applicants wanting to sign up to an exclusive territory in Britain.
Pool and Spa Scene editor, Christina Connor, was given an exclusive interview with Michael Phelps when the range was launched. Meanwhile, Stephen Weller of Master Spas Europe, has recently returned from a trip to Phelps’ training facility in Baltimore where he saw Michael going through the paces in his
swim spa with his coach Bob Beaumont. “It was amazing to see how Michael used the swim spa for a
complete training session with Bob adjusting the current to suit the stroke or a timed speed session, Michael in full flight doing butterfly is a spectacular sight!” Stephen says: “Michael loves the features of his swim spa and what he calls its ‘party lights’ and music system with underwater sound, he likes to warm down after a training session with the jetted seating and wall jets.“
Michael’s training facility is at the swimming club where he learnt to swim. The training pools serve both champions and
mother and toddler groups as well as senior citizens also doing their daily lengths of the pool.
Says Stephen: “The facility has a great feel and serves the whole community and Michael’s desire to get everyone into the
benefits and fun of swimming.”
It is not too late to sign up for an exclusive Michael Phelps’ swim spa dealership ahead of the 2012 Olympic year with vacancies available, particularly in northern England.

Artesian Spas have just launched the new SmartPhone technology in their top end line, the Platinum Elite.

Home spa and hot tub owners can now control their hot tubs through their mobile phones thanks to new SmartPhone technology being introduced to top end spa models for 2012.

Artesian Spas have just launched the new SmartPhone technology in their top end line, the Platinum Elite.
Coast Spas too have taken the wraps off its new Spa App that controls multiple spa functions through iPhone, iTouch and iPad, initially on models with luxury packs.
For the first time hot tub aficionados take control of their Coast Spa from inside the comfort of their home with their iPhone, iPod or iPad. The spa owner simply downloads the free app from iTunes and it will automatically connect to their hot tub.
CONSTANT UPDATES
Once a mobile handheld device connects to a spa, the user will be able monitor real-time temperature changes of spa water as
it constantly updates. In addition you can re-set and modify that temperature, activate jets and toggle lights on and off.
With mobile phone control options available through Gecko and Balboa, the smart technology is expected to be extended to all
major brands by the end of next year.
“I think in today’s society, we are very reliant on technology, it’s almost unheard of for a person to be without a computer in their
home,” comments Vicky Stirland of Artesian Spas. “Almost everyone has a smart phone and communicates with
family and friends using technology on a daily basis. “It’s important for an innovative hot tub company like Artesian
to listen to the market and meet technological demands,” Vicki adds.
With early prototypes now rolling off the production lines, the new ‘smart’ technology will give spa sales a timely boost.
As Vicky says: “The aim of these new innovations is to make the spa experience as luxurious and relaxing as possible especially
for someone who is considering a top end spa.
“I don’t think there is a down side to this ‘smart’ technology, so long as the products improve the overall spa experience and have
gone through rigorous testing. “There would be nothing worse than having this technology that is meant to make the spa-use easier than to have it fail and become a stressful and frustrating experience,” Vicky stresses. “That is why Artesian spend years thoroughly testing their technology before launching it.” She adds: “Although it can be seen as a benefit to be the
first to launch something, we would rather make sure that the technology will be reliable for our customers when it is
introduced. A premium product should be built to a premium standard without exception.”
Not to be out done, Coast Spas is now adding the Spa App to complement its multi-functional Colossus Pack for topside control
in multiple languages.

Fingertip control of home spas is only a phone call away for owners of Coast Spas hot tubs.

“Coast Spas has always been considered the leader in innovation and design for the hot tub industry,” Sean Corscadden, Coast Spas’ Executive Sales Manager. “We were the first with fibre-optics, first with stereos, first with TV’s, first with two speed motors and the first and only with negative edge spas. “We take this part of the business very seriously and invest heavily in designing new and creative things to keep us and our dealers “different”.

Sean says in today’s day and age, people want ease of use; functional things that make their lives easier and more enjoyable.

“Technology offers that and I believe the Spa App and iPhone/ iPad technology will continue to develop and allow for these needs and wants,” he says. “When a spa company pushes the envelope and is a leader in this area and invests it makes them different than the competition. This is important because it allows retailers to offer and cater to people who want more. More value for their money.”
Sean adds: ”I am not a ‘techie’ person but I understand and see that most people are, especially the young people. “Information comes so fast and people need it more and more. I think with that it makes a hot tub that much more important.
“It gives people the opportunity to leave their 60 hour a week jobs behind and so get away in their own back yards and relax,
recharge and reconnect with each face to face.” Like, Artesian, Coast already offers Sony Bluetooth that can link your mobile phone to the Sony Bluetooth stereo and play all songs that you have on the phone through the deck.
It also allows you to accept calls; you hear the person speak through the speakers and there is a microphone that picks up
your voice and transmits to them. With several new developments to be unveiled in the New Year, the Sundance elite series of spas rated highest in energy-efficiency, contemporary design pushing the boundaries of style, quality, pristine water and innovation.
“Technology is continually advancing in all industries and so it is good to include those advances within our spas,” says Sundance
Spas UK’s Glen Squire. “After all it is where our customers spend most of their time relaxing and winding down at the end of their day.

There is, if the technology being used is not quite ready or has not been specifically designed for outdoor environments, or
the quality of the components being used are of inferior quality, producing failure problems for the customer which leads to ba press. Some technology being used within the spa industry is gimmicky leading to tacky looking spas or which can just create
more maintenance work for the customer.” But, Glen warns: “We all need to remember that a spa is about relaxing so anything that promotes this along with a massage and
soaking in hot water is a good thing. “But if the technology is not required, if it creates more maintenance or it is an afterthought to try and make the spa more
than what it actually is, don’t put it in.”

Watkins’ Manufacturing celebrated the landmark event of producing its one millionth hot tub by raising more than $34,400 to support the families of fallen firefighters across the United States.

Makers of Hot Spring, Caldera, Hot Spot Spas and Limelight Hot Tubs,
Watkins Manufacturing recently celebrated the significant milestone
of producing its one millionth spa.
To mark the occasion, Watkins recognised its employees‘ significant
and ongoing commitment to excellence with celebrations at its
manufacturing plants in California and Mexico.
On behalf of employees and spa retailers across the Watkins family
of brands, the company also pledged to make a donation to an
important charity, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.
Noting that the millionth commemorative spa was a Hot Spring
Spa, and to broaden the reach of the corporate donation, Watkins
held an online auction among Hot Spring Spas retailers worldwide
for the right to own the one millionth tub. The company also pledged
to match 100 percent of the dealer‘s winning bid, doubling the
charitable donation.
As a result of the competitive bidding that took place during the
exciting week of the auction, Bruno Woodtli owner of Hewoo AG,
a Hot Spring Spas dealership in Switzerland, won the one millionth
spa – an ‘Aria‘ model – with a final bid of $17,200. As planned,
Watkins Manufacturing is matching the winning bid, providing a total
donation amount
The world’s largest manufacturer of hot tubs, Watkins
Manufacturing was established in 1977, in Vista, California. The
Watkins dealership network extends into all 50 US states and over 60
countries.

Western manufacturers fear the impact of pirate brands mostly sourced in China

European and North American spa and hot tub manufacturers
could be wiped out within 18 months by Chinese-sourced pirate
copies of their designs on sale at knock down prices.
Some China-based companies are simply ripping off Western
brands and producing products that are often promoted with
material and direct images lifted from Western brochures and
websites – even in some instances – using the same product codes.
The rogue trading is being undertaken by companies that
are incurring no design or development costs, nor, are subject
to no quality audits, while the working conditions, wages and
environmental practices employed in manufacture would
have Western business operators facing heavy fines or even
imprisonment.
While the companies importing these cheap imitations
are simply selling and disappearing; the only winners are
unscrupulous ‘here today, gone, tomorrow’ importers.
”We were approached by a Chinese manufacturer offering us
a range of spas and gazebos,” reveals Stephen Crabb of US-made,
Catalina Spas.
“On checking, many of the products they were offering were
marketed using images that were lifted directly from our own
brochure.
“In one instance, they had not even removed the Catalina logo
from the headrests,” Stephen continues.
“They had an image of a gazebo in their brochure that was
taken of our stand at that year’s Lyon pool show! It even had a
member of our sales team in the picture!”

Rob Stirland of Artesian Spas had a similar experience: “In some ways it is a compliment that they want to copy our products.
“The problem often occurs that the copy is perceived to be the
real thing and it can be difficult to educate the consumer of the
difference, as externally, they look very similar,” says Rob who
estimates the copycat practice has been building over the past seven
years but with a tangible increase in pace over the past 36 months.”

READ MORE…!

Look out for the October issue of Pool and Spa Scene for the in depth report!

Subscribe on line today!

Peter Andre chooses a Jacuzzi hot tub from Euphoria Lifestyle

Singer, model and television personality, Peter
Andre, chose a Jacuzzi J-470 from Euphoria Lifestyle
as a hot tub to enjoy with both his family and
friends in the garden of his Surrey home,
The entire process, from his first visit to the
installation, was filmed for ITV 2’s documentary
‘Peter Andre: The Next Chapter’.
When asked how he is enjoying his new hot tub,
Peter said: “It is absolutely brilliant. It is the perfect
after-training treatment and is the best thing I own
for relaxation. It is also amazing for parties.”

The Hydropool spas had been displayed at the event by The Pool & Spa Company of nearby Ruxley.
It is the second time in consecutive years that hot tubs have been stolen from the prestigious Kent event.

“As most of us have experienced, these spas will either come on to the market or enquiries will be made to their value,” said Hydropool’s European Sales Director, Lloyd Burden.
“Can I please ask everyone to be aware and inform all front line staff to be suspicious of anything that seems out of the ordinary, such as a request for the value of a Hydropool spa, or a request for a cover or probably most importantly, an installation or commissioning of a
spa you have not sold.”

The missing hot tubs are as follows:
• Hydropool 4000 in Pacific Blue with Cedar Cabinet and cover
• Hydropool 6000 in Midnight Mist with Cedar Cabinet and
upgrade pack. (no cover)
• Hydropool 575 Platinum in Alpine with Cedar Cabinet and cover.

To assist the police with their enquiries, Pool & Spa Scene magazine has teamed up with Hydropool Hot Tubs to offer a reward of £500 for information leading to the recovery of the goods and the conviction of those responsible.
Hydropool Hot Tubs
Email. lloydburden@hydropoolhottubs.com
www.hydropoolhottubs.com

Increases are anticipated to start at three per cent but will reach up to 10 per cent on some products.

As the prices of raw goods such as oil, copper, ABS resin and polypropylene continue to soar, Master Spas Europe has introduced price rises in line with leading quality manufacturers from the USA.

“Regrettably price rises were inevitable with underlying US inflation and prices being artificially low since the financial crisis,” says Stephen Weller CEO of Master Spas Europe.
Master Spas uses top brand US components that have all seen significant price rises that eventually had to come through.

Says Stephen: “Any manufacturer not raising prices must be sourcing cheaper components from China or building spas out of old stock

“The price increases in the USA certainly impact on us, as all our stock coming through is current,” he says.
“All these are fitted with the most recent versions of European pumps and up to the minute Waterways jets, Balboa packs and new 2011 acrylic sheet options.”

Compared with underlying inflation, prices have been held artificially low since the
start of the financial crisis.

“I am sure we will see many low end manufacturers fitting all the old stuff they can find to keep costs down, “ Stephen predicts. “But for dealers, this is a false economy,” he warns.

“Non-standard or discontinued parts are just a future support and maintenance nightmare, as spares can sometimes prove impossible to source with neither importers nor smaller manufacturers holding the parts needed over time for true warranty and service support.”

The launch of a new on-line information resource for existing and would be home pool and spa owners, Home Pool and Spa Scene is set to give the residential pool and spa markets a timely boost.

The web service at www.homepoolandspascene.com is the first lead-generating site of its kind for both swimming pool companies and spa retailers as well as being a valuable asset for complementary outdoor living suppliers.

 The Home Pool & Spa Scene web service is part of a three-pronged consumer presence aimed at boosting UK outdoor living and home water leisure. Retailers are charged £195 a year to register on the site in up to five county areas. Nationwide presence costs £495 a year.

 Visitors to the site can search for local retailers via county or post code searches or via product areas. They can also request brochures on specific companies or areas. Leads generated on this service are can be purchased from £2.75 via the retailers special log-in area.

 The site will run in conjunction with Swimple – available at www.swimple.co.uk – a forum based site for home pool and spa owners to share information and ideas. Swimple will go to market in a different style to Home Pool & Spa Scene with much more customer interaction.

Both Swimple and Home Pool & Spa Scene link to the final element of the three-pronged consumer presence – an on-line shopping site run under the United Pool Retailers Online.

Click here:

www.homepoolandspascene.com

www.swimple.co.uk

Spa retailers from all over the UK gathered for an evening of celebration at the Jacuzzi annual retailer presentations.

Jacuzzi crowned its new retail kings with the confirmation of Outdoor Living as Retailers of the Year.

Outdoor Living’s Paul Margerison and Kevin Newby were at Crewe Hall in Cheshire for a night of celebration for Jacuzzi dealers when they received their trophy from Jacuzzi UK managing director, Mark Prince.

The duo, who work as joint managing directors, have been setting new standards in hot tub retailing for nearly ten years. The pair beat off strong competition from former winners Oyster Pools & Leisure of Monmouthshire and from ground breaking, Euphoria Lifestyle, of East Sussex, who were also short-listed.

For more on this story and all award winners see Pool & Spa Scene Magazine

Jacuzzi UK

Email. hottubsales@jacuzziuk.com

 www.jacuzzi.co.uk

Synonymous with quality, accuracy and reliability, the Lovibond brand is recognised in more than 120 countries.

As anniversaries go, celebrating the company’s 125th birthday this year is quite a blue riband event for the team from water analysis experts, Lovibond Tintometer.

 While looking back on a proud history, the recent acquisition of the Kittiwake Water Test Kit business is testament to Lovibond® Tintometer®’s commitment to the future As Chris Counsell, Tintometer’s Managing Director comments: “The purchase of the Kittiwake water business will enable us to focus even greater energy and resources on the areas Tintometer® and Lovibond® are famous for; high quality instrumentation, reagents and ancillary equipment for water analysis.

 Lovibond Tintometer Tel. +44 (0)1980 664800

 www.tintometer.com

For More on this story see Pool & Spa Scene Magazine

The sports stars were able to enjoy both hydromassage and the water cascade, in addition to the ozonised water, chromotherapy and aromatherapy available with Aquavia’s Futura 40 spa.

Rafael Nadal, the world’s number one tennis seed, went on to win his latest trophy, the Comte de Godó, at the tournament that was held in April.

AQUAVIA Tel. (+34) 973 533 795

Email. aquaviaspa@aquaviaspa.com

www.aquaviaspa.com

Neptune Spas revamped showroom at Eastbourne.

After seven months of disruption following a complete £3m refurbishment of their landlord’s premises, Neptune Spas has opened its new enlarged and redesigned showroom and display area at the Hilliers Garden Centre in Eastbourne.

 Costing around £20,000 to complete, together with new stock, Neptune has doubled the size of its site, enabling up to ten hot tubs to be displayed, including a range of Marquis Spas.

 The new display area incorporates several working models, one of which is within a ‘wet test’ log cabin where potential customers can ‘try before they buy’, according to Andy Russell, managing director of Neptune Spas.

The garden centre is the only one of its type in Eastbourne and has been so successful since the official opening in March that Hilliers has already applied for planning permission to extend the overflow car park.

For more on this story see Pool & Spa Scene Magazine

Neptune Spas

Tel: +44 (0)1323 449339

 Email. neptunespas@btconnect.com

David has been employed by hot tub branded distributors in the past with his role was working for the distributor, developing the market place and supporting dealer development and sales in Europe.

 In his new role, David now works directly for the Canadian manufacturer, eliminating the ‘middleman’ mark-ups.

 “This newly developed extensive position adds David to our corporate headquarters sales and marketing team in Vancouver, Canada;” says Don Elkington, President and CEO of Coast Spas. “We are pleased to have such a diverse and knowledgeable individual working for our team.”

Coast Spas Tel. +44 (0)7810 876484

 Email. dedwards@coastspas.com

 www.coastspas.com

For more on this story see Pool & Spa Sceen Magazine

above: The new TS series from Master Spas offers a low profile to fit in most doorways.

Master Spas has unveiled the latest addition to its Twilight Series Spas with the introduction of the TS 67.15 and TS 67.25.

Standard with the Orion Light System and Eco Pur filtration, these new, four person models offer a low profile to fit in most doorways and are now available for ordering.

Featuring the modern, stylish curves the Twilight Series has become known for these models will be ideal for the small family or empty- nesters looking for some more space with its open four corner seating design.

The TS 67.15 features one, two speed pump and 20 therapy jets including a foot jet. The TS 67.25 features 28 jets including a Master Blaster foot massage jet.

Both models can be ordered with the optional Fusion sound system while the TS 67.25 can be ordered with the optional AfterGlo jet package and the Quiet Flo circulation system.

Master Spas

Email: stephen@masterspas.co.uk

www.masterspas.com

above: Profits from SPATEX help fund a variety of trade association activities.

With over 100 exhibitors and an unprecedented number of companies choosing the event to launch new products and services, SPATEX maintains its dominance as the UK’s number one pool and spa show.

The exhibition, run as an arm of the British Swimming Pool Federation that also runs the trade associations of SPATA and BISHTA, celebrated its 15th consecutive annual show at Brighton’s Hilton Metropole.

Profits from the event that aims to target residential and commercial pool and spa sectors as well as the end user, helps fund a variety of trade association activities.

For more on this story see pool and spa scene magazine

A small, multi-skilled team with a passion for water chemistry, the Fi-Clor team from Arch Water Products put their heart and soul into promoting a great brand.

“Our expertise is in the area of pool water chemistry and with our mixture of theoretical and practical knowledge there are not many pool problems we can’t solve,” says technical sales manager, Arthur Cox.

“These problems range from the very common ones such as I can’t get a chlorine reading and how do I get rid of algae to the more bizarre ones such as I’ve got something resembling purple chalk dust on the floor of my pool!

“In extreme cases, we will visit a private pool to support the pool dealer.”

For more on this story see Pool and Spa Scene Magazine

Arch Water Products

Tel. +44 (0)1977 714100

Email. watersales@archchemicals.com

www.fi-clor.co.uk

SCP UK teamed up with some of its key suppliers for their annual Showcase – their traditional New Year curtain raiser to the season ahead.

The event took place over three days in January in the circular auditorium at the Copthorne Effingham Hotel, near Gatwick in West Sussex.

This event is an ideal opportunity for SCP customers to meet with the SCP sales and technical teams, to discuss ways to increase business and improve business performance.

“The event was designed to give customers the opportunity to browse product displays at their leisure, to talk directly to key suppliers and to take advantage of all the special offers made available especially for the event,” said Ian Pratt, SCP UK’s regional director.

For more on this story see Pool and Spa Scene Magazine

Above: The Euphoria Lifestyle team is celebrating the opening of its second branch.

One of the latest recruits to the Pool & Spa Scene Recommended Scheme, Euphoria Lifestyle has recently opened its second Jacuzzi spa showroom with plans to open at least two more.

The latest venture has been undertaken in partnership with Jacuzzi® and meets both companies’ aspirations to expand into London and Surrey.

The Woodcote Green Garden Centre in Wallington is just 12 miles from Central London, an outstanding retail location – one of the top ten garden centres in the UK.

The new location will complement Euphoria’s hugely successful Sussex showroom which from this season, also sees the launch of swimming pools and expansion of the world renowned Helo sauna ranges.

For more on this story see Pool and Spa Scene Magazine

Euphoria Lifestyle

Tel. +44 (0)1903 892 555

www.euphoria-lifestyle.co.uk

The J-LX hot tubs from Jacuzzi UK are the first to market with a unique top rail that houses all of the acrylic, creating a neat square perfect for installation in any garden.

Available with or without a full length lounger, the J-LX collection offers redesigned pillows, improved ease of entry with multi-tier cool down seat, and smarter jet placement for a vigorous and luxurious hydro-massage, whilst the underwater diverters make it easy and convenient to adjust jet flow.

The J-LX high flow pump refreshes water up to 7 seven times more often than other models on the market yet reduces energy usage by up to 48% compared to other models of equal size.

 Jacuzzi Hot Tubs

Tel. +44 (0)1274 654 700

Email: sales@jacuzziuk.com

www.jacuzzi.co.uk.