Villa 95 in Cádiz, Spain, designed by Fran Silvestre Arquitectos, is a contemporary architectural masterpiece featuring a unique Z-shaped structure and multiple vanishing edge pools. The design seamlessly integrates with the surrounding landscape, offering luxurious panoramic views and a distinctive identity. The innovative use of elevation and spatial flow highlights the successful fusion of architecture and aquatic design, making the entire home an immersive oasis.

The American Red Cross has introduced a new Virtual Reality (VR) lifeguard training simulator, developed in collaboration with Lucid Reality Labs, to enhance lifeguard training in surveillance and scanning skills. The Lifeguard VR app, available on Meta Quest VR devices, offers realistic aquatic scenarios to improve lifeguard performance. The tool was showcased at the Association of Aquatic Professionals show, with Chris Whipple from the Red Cross highlighting its benefits. The article also discusses the importance of World Drowning Prevention Day and a tragic drowning incident involving Leticia Triplett, emphasizing the need for better pool safety measures.

Polaris, a leading brand in the pool cleaner industry, is celebrating its 50th anniversary. The article features insights from Greg Howard, former CEO of Polaris Pool Systems, and Skye Svenningsen, Director of Product Marketing for Fluidra North America. They discuss the brand's history, including its inception by Mel Henkin and Jordan Laby, and its evolution from a single product, the Polaris Vac-Sweep, to a diverse range of pool cleaning solutions. The brand's marketing strategies, such as hiring Suzanne Somers as a spokesperson, and its competition with Arneson Pool Sweep are highlighted. Polaris, now under Fluidra after a merger with Zodiac Pool Systems, continues to innovate with products like the Polaris QUATTRO™ Sport and technologies like iAquaLink® control. The article also mentions the Pool Magazine podcast featuring interviews with Howard and Svenningsen.

Danny Wang, the founder of DW Design & Build based in Orange County, CA, is renowned for his luxury pool and outdoor living designs. He has a unique talent for envisioning complete outdoor concepts quickly and has won numerous awards for his work. Wang prefers clients who trust his expertise to create award-winning designs. Despite facing challenges with project backlogs in 2017, Wang has successfully leveraged social media to showcase his work, gaining a substantial following. He draws inspiration from global designs and is now looking to expand his brand into product development, including collaborations with tile and fire pit manufacturers and creating his own product lines. The article also mentions an interview with Wang on the Pool Magazine podcast.

The article discusses a recent cyberattack on a hotel pool controller in Israel by the hacktivist group GhostSec, which exposed vulnerabilities in Operational Technology (OT) security within the pool industry. The attackers claimed they could control the pH and chlorine levels in the pools but did not cause harm. Cybersecurity company Otorio investigated and found that the Aegis II controllers were accessed using default passwords. The incident underscores the growing threat of OT cyberattacks with potential physical consequences. Otorio reported the breach to Israel’s CERT and emphasized the need for pool professionals to improve OT security by changing default passwords, updating software, segmenting networks, encrypting data, monitoring for suspicious activities, and having an incident response plan.

The article is a personal reflection by a veteran of the swimming pool industry, recounting the evolution of the industry and the technological advancements in pool cleaning. It begins with the author's father, a WWII veteran, who started a pool company in Lafayette, California, during the post-war building boom facilitated by the GI Bill. The author discusses the shift from pools being a luxury for the wealthy to becoming accessible to the growing middle class in the suburbs. He mentions influential companies and individuals in the pool industry, such as Anthony Pools, Paddock Pools, Landon Pools, and inventors like Andy Pansini and Howard Arneson, who contributed to the development of pool cleaning technology. The author also shares his own experiences starting a pool service company and the progression towards more efficient and aesthetically pleasing pool designs, highlighting the Paramount PCC-2000 in-floor cleaner as a preferred technology. The narrative concludes with the author's pride in the multi-generational family business and the advancements they have made in the industry.

The article discusses the American rock band Highly Suspect and their Grammy-nominated song 'Lydia'. It focuses on the song's music video, which features an underwater sequence shot in one continuous take. The video stars Marina Kazankova, an Olympic freediver, who portrays a woman struggling underwater. Her ability to hold her breath for extended periods is highlighted as a key element that contributed to the video's success. The article also describes the meticulous planning and choreography that went into the video's production, led by director TS Pfeffer and underwater coordinator Robert Trussell. The swimming pool is used as a metaphor for the song's themes of isolation and struggle within a toxic relationship. The article concludes by praising the video for its emotional impact and visual storytelling.

The Western Pool & Spa Show is celebrating its 45th anniversary and 30 years of being hosted in Long Beach, CA. Last year, the event attracted over 10,000 industry professionals, making it one of the most attended national shows. Eric Nielson, the Director of the show, discussed its history and evolution from a small tabletop event to a major industry convention. The show has expanded from focusing on service to including pool construction and offers a variety of educational workshops and seminars, including sessions in Spanish. Companies like Pentair, Hayward, and Fluidra, among others, will hold educational workshops. The event, running from March 23-25, will feature hourly drawings and a significant cash giveaway. Pool Magazine will also be present at the show, featuring Lucas Congdon of Lucas Lagoons.

The article discusses the Indoor Ocean facility at the United States Naval Surface Warfare Center, NSWC Carderock, which houses one of the world's largest wave pools used for testing naval ships. The facility, which has been operational since 1962, underwent a renovation in 2013, replacing its old pneumatic domes with 216 paddles for better control and precision in simulating real-world wave conditions. Engineers use the facility to predict ship performance, evaluate operability, and fine-tune vessel designs. The MASK (maneuvering and seakeeping basin) allows for the creation of reproducible waves of specific amplitude and frequency, enabling the Navy to test ships under various sea conditions from around the world without having to go to the actual ocean. The article highlights the technological advancements and the importance of rigorous testing for the performance and safety of naval vessels.