2012 WAHC Highlights Research
The 9th Annual World Aquatic Health Conference and Aquatic Physical Therapy Summit, held in Norfolk, Va., reported strong attendance with 412 attendees from around the world. The WAHC is recognized as a leading global aquatic research forum.
“This year’s conference was a great success, attracting many return attendees as well as new people and organizations,” said Michelle Kavanaugh, conference manager for the National Swimming Pool Foundation in Colorado Springs, Colo., which organized the event.
The focus was on research, including the health benefits of water exercise, pool and spa safety, and the impact of learn-to-swim initiatives. Learning from global water recreation and therapy experts, attendees listened to two keynote speeches, chose from 41 high-level sessions in five topic areas, attended lunch round tables and more.
In its third year of collaborating with WAHC, the Aquatic Physical Therapy Section of APTA offers members learning opportunities and a means of professional networking. “Nothing can mimic exercising in the water, and this conference gives our members an excellent opportunity to hear and share the latest research. Also, [it] allows great networking with a diverse group of people who work in the aquatic environment,” said Diane Platz, PT, vice president of APTS. “This sharing of ideas and professional knowledge will strengthen the future for all of us in aquatics.”
The seminars are available at http://nspf.netro.ca/Products.aspx.
Genesis 3 Events are a Hit at New Orleans Expo
Genesis 3’s multiple offerings and events at the International Pool | Spa | Patio Expo in New Orleans were a huge success, according to Lisa Bouton, director of operations at design firm Genesis 3.
The three-day Elements of Construction School was presented to a sold-out crowd, drawing students from as far away as Hangzhou, China.
“I learned more about shotcrete in three days than I have in three years,” said George Frederick, owner of Signature Aquatics in Greensboro, N.C. “This course covered the aspects of an entire project.”
Crowds filled the on-floor Genesis 3 Pavilion and Lifestyle educational booth situated to provide original seminars to all Expo attendees. Its diverse offerings included instruction on the theory of color, various technical courses, the annual Genesis 3 winetasting classic and, new for this year, instruction and input from landscape designers.
“Being involved with Genesis 3 and participating with them at the show has become one of my top 10 event moments in my career,” said Marti Neely, an officer of the Association of Professional Landscape Designers and an instructor at the Lifestyle booth.
Also enthusiastically received was the 13th Annual Genesis 3 Family Reunion and Winemaker
Dinner held at Le Foret restaurant. The wine was supplied by Gary Eberle of Eberle Winery and paired with delicate courses by Chef Carlos Briceno of Le Foret.
“The Genesis 3 Winemaker Dinner evening was full of electricity,” said Vance Gillette, vice president of business development at Zodiac Pool Systems in Vista, Calif.
“We all truly enjoyed the Genesis 3 dining experience, and the energy and excitement of the function,” he added. “Genesis 3 absolutely defines the leadership, vision and passion necessary to educate and grow the pool and spa industry.”
The Genesis 3 Design Group was founded in 1998 to provide an international forum for continuing education in watershape design and construction.
