Manufacturers
Making Waves: The Rise of Swim in Place Pools & Dynamic Water Environments
Swim-in-place systems are making a major splash in the pool industry as homeowners increasingly prioritize fitness, therapy, and dynamic play. Over the last two decades, swimming pools have evolved from tranquil backyard retreats into multifunctional spaces designed for movement and wellness. At the forefront of this evolution is Current Systems, the manufacturer of the Riverflow pump—a powerful, low-head, high-volume current system designed to bring water to life.
“Ten to twenty years ago, people looked at a swimming pool as a place of tranquility and a place for family to gather,” says Phil De Tournillon, co-founder of Current Systems. “Now there’s this interactive opportunity for them to get wet.” The shift from passive pool lounging to active aquatic experiences is fueling a surge in interest for swim-in-place systems, lazy rivers, and dynamic water environments that enhance both health and enjoyment.
The Rise of Swim In Place Pools
A growing number of homeowners are embracing fitness-focused design. Swim-in-place systems, like the Riverflow pump, provide continuous water resistance that transforms even compact pools into endless lap lanes. But according to De Tournillon, it goes beyond swimming. “You don’t need to be a swimmer to get the benefit of current,” he explains. “There’s a sense of movement that the body feels—a therapeutic push and pull that provides pleasure and health benefits.”
This sensation, he says, replicates the natural feeling of being in the ocean or a river. For homeowners, that means a more immersive experience, whether they use their pool for exercise, hydrotherapy, or simply floating in gently moving water.
Small Pools, Big Function
One of the biggest drivers behind this trend is space. Not every backyard has room for a 60-foot lap pool, but that doesn’t mean homeowners need to sacrifice functionality. “People are restricted on the size of their spaces,” says De Tournillon. “But they’re really looking to immerse themselves in the water, not just sit beside it.”
Thanks to powerful, adjustable systems like Riverflow, even modest plunge pools can now offer robust fitness and therapeutic capabilities. That flexibility is helping usher in a new category of “performance pools” tailored to compact, urban environments.
The Smart Pool Era
With the rise of pool automation and smart homes, the ability to control a swim current has become just another tap on the app. Riverflow integrates seamlessly with platforms from Pentair, Hayward, Jandy, and Poolside Tech’s “The Attendant.”
“These systems give the client a single source to control lights, jets, and the current system,” explains De Tournillon. Variable speed controls allow users to customize their experience based on the activity—slow for relaxation or light therapy, and faster for exercise or play.
“The Attendant by Poolside Tech has taken it even further,” he says. “They’ve developed a way to add variable speed control, giving the client even more versatility to fine-tune their experience. It’s quite exciting.”
Enter the Adventure Pool
Dynamic water environments aren’t just for workouts. They’re also driving the rise of the “adventure pool,” a trend where features like lazy rivers, slides, and waterfalls create a resort-style experience right at home. Riverflow plays a key role here too.
“We’ve done designs where jets actually propel swimmers coming out of a slide chute,” says De Tournillon. “It keeps the energy going after the initial splash.”
He notes that many homeowners return from vacations wanting to replicate that high-energy resort feel in their own backyard. Whether it’s a current loop that powers a lazy river or directional jets that enhance a waterslide experience, the goal is to make every moment in the pool more engaging.
Hybrid Pools: Where Tranquility Meets Motion
Despite the uptick in motion-centric pool designs, De Tournillon doesn’t believe the rise of active pools spells the end of traditional aesthetics. In fact, many clients want both. “You can have this beautiful mirror-glass surface and, at the flip of a switch, bring it alive with movement,” he says.
This hybrid model is becoming increasingly popular—one moment it’s an elegant infinity-edge pool perfect for entertaining, the next it’s transformed into an aquatic playground or a resistance training lane. The versatility allows for broader enjoyment across age groups and lifestyles.
Pools That Adapt to People
Customization and control are key. “If you’ve got five- and six-year-olds using the river, you’re going to want to slow it down,” says De Tournillon. “If teenagers show up, you can ramp it up.” The ability to fine-tune performance based on user preferences and safety is making these systems especially attractive for multigenerational households.
And when the current’s off? A lazy river can become a tranquil walking lane. It’s this kind of adaptability that underscores how far pool design has come.
Behind the Innovation
Current Systems is no newcomer to innovation. Founded by Peter Davidson, who invented the first countercurrent high-flow, low-head pump over 30 years ago, the company has continued to push boundaries ever since. De Tournillon joined forces with Davidson two decades ago and together, they’ve shaped the swim-in-place movement.
“We saw a huge need for moving water solutions in the pool industry,” says De Tournillon. “Not just for athletes, but for anyone who wants more from their pool.”
That inclusive mindset has helped fuel a broader interest in wellness, accessibility, and year-round aquatic enjoyment.
The Future Is Flowing
Looking ahead, De Tournillon sees the appetite for dynamic water features only growing. “In the next 10 years, I think it’s just going to be an amazing amount of water flowing,” he says. As more builders and designers understand the versatility that swim-in-place systems offer, more homeowners will opt for active features that enrich both health and enjoyment.
“You don’t have to choose between a beautiful pool and a functional one,” he adds. “You can have the best of both worlds.”
As more homeowners prioritize wellness, play, and smart design, the age of the dynamic pool has arrived—and with it, the rise of the current-driven backyard oasis.
Ready to take a deeper dive?
Listen to our entire conversation with Phil DeTournillon on the Pool Magazine Podcast.
Photo Credits: Current Systems
Pentair plc (NYSE: PNR), a leader in helping the world sustainably move, improve, and enjoy water life’s most essential resource, today announced that Jerome Pedretti, Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of Pentair Pool, will depart the Company effective July 1, 2026. Pedretti concludes a distinguished career with Pentair spanning more than 20 years.
In connection with Pedretti’s departure, Pentair is eliminating the Chief Executive Officer of Pentair Pool role. De’Mon Wiggins, current EVP and President, Pentair Flow and Pentair Water Solutions, will assume responsibility for the Pool segment as EVP and President, Pentair Flow, Water Solutions and Pool, effective April 28, 2026. Pedretti will remain with Pentair through his departure date to support an orderly transition.
“Over more than two decades with Pentair, Jerome has made a significant and lasting impact on our Pool and Flow businesses through his leadership, deep expertise, and unwavering commitment to our customers and our culture,” said John Stauch, Pentair President and Chief Executive Officer. “We are truly grateful for Jerome’s many contributions and for his thoughtful partnership in supporting a smooth transition. With De’Mon’s strong track record of execution and strategic leadership, I am confident in the continued momentum of our Pool business and excited about the opportunities ahead.”
CAUTION CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This release contains statements that we believe to be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. Without limitation, any statements preceded or followed by or that include the words “targets,” “plans,” “believes,” “expects,” “intends,” “will,” “likely,” “may,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “projects,” “should,” “would,” “could,” “positioned,” “strategy,” or “future” or words, phrases, or terms of similar substance or the negative thereof are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors, some of which are beyond our control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include the overall global economic and business conditions impacting our business, including the strength of housing and related markets and conditions relating to international hostilities; supply, demand, logistics, competition and pricing pressures related to and in the markets we serve; the ability to achieve the benefits of our restructuring plans, cost reduction initiatives and Transformation Program; the impact of raw material, logistics and labor costs and other inflation; volatility in currency exchange rates and interest rates; failure of markets to accept new product introductions and enhancements; the ability to successfully identify, finance, complete and integrate acquisitions; risks associated with operating foreign businesses; the impact of seasonality of sales and weather conditions; our ability to comply with laws and regulations; the impact of changes in laws, regulations and administrative policy, including those that limit U.S. tax benefits or impact trade agreements and tariffs; the outcome of litigation and governmental proceedings; and the ability to achieve our long-term strategic operating and sustainability goals and targets. Additional information concerning these and other factors is contained in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025. All forward-looking statements, including all financial forecasts, speak only as of the date of this release. Pentair assumes no obligation, and disclaims any obligation, to update the information contained in this release.
ABOUT PENTAIR PLC
At Pentair, we help the world sustainably move, improve, and enjoy water, life’s most essential resource. From our residential and commercial water solutions, to industrial water management and everything in between, Pentair is a core large cap value S&P 500 equity stock focused on smart, sustainable water solutions that help our planet and people thrive.
Pentair had revenue in 2025 of approximately $4.2 billion, and trades under the ticker symbol PNR. With approximately 9,000 global employees serving customers in more than 150 countries, we work to help improve lives and the environment around the world. To learn more, visit www.pentair.com.
Contacts
Media Contact:
Shelly Hubbard
Vice President, Investor Relations
Direct: 612-812-0148
Email: [email protected]
April 1, 2026 – LAS VEGAS – Coverings (coverings.com), the largest international tile and stone event in North America, has announced seven Best Booth Awards for the 2026 show in Las Vegas, including three Best in Show awards, three Best Display awards and one Best Stone Display award. The annual awards program recognizes exhibits with exceptional creative and visual materiality experiences for showgoers.
“The booth craftsmanship and display ingenuity the exhibitors evoke on the show floor make Coverings a highly unique opportunity for attendees to be inspired by tactile and aesthetic spaces,” said Jamie Rich, Coverings managing director. “From new tile and stone collections thoughtfully presented to immersive exhibits designed with architectural elements and passthrough walkways, there is no shortage of innovation.”
A panel of tile and stone industry leaders selected the seven standout booths to spotlight as this year’s Best Booth Award recipients, though the caliber across the entire show floor is truly impressive.
Ceramica Del Conca (Booth 1614) received Best in Show for its immersive design that brings visitors on a sensory journey. Attendees visiting Ceramica Del Conca’s booth are greeted by the eye-catching exterior, covered with three-dimensional red stone and illuminated by LED lights hidden behind mirrors with primal shapes. Large surfaces flank the floors and walls of the first three rooms in the exhibit space, highlighting the three-dimensional effect of porcelain stoneware stones. The exhibit space also spotlights seven tile collections, including the Dinamika Stone Edition collection and Dimore collection.
A Best in Show award was also granted to Stonepeak Ceramics (Booth 6234) for its storytelling design, “The Magical Journey,” which illustrates how the company has transformed ceramics over time through innovation, sustainability and design. The entrance to the booth showcases an immersive journey that passes through a magical portal, beyond which visitors are offered a new interpretation of ceramics and led into a space of perceptions. The design transforms reality, and a perfect balance that plays on perspectives is revealed. Attendees enter the exhibition space, where porcelain dress stairs, vases and columns are installed upside down to represent an altar-universe and heaven-like experience. A Material Library is available inside the booth and features Stonepeak’s entire range of ceramic and porcelain products, including terrazzo-looks, marble-looks, stone-looks and more, showcasing the diverse product range of colors, thicknesses, formats and finishes.
VIVES AZULEJOS Y GRES (S.A.) (Booth 819) was also honored as a Best in Show winner. The company’s vibrant display, showcased through ceramics, is inspired by the striking impact one experiences when visiting Las Vegas. VIVES has conveyed this through its Surf collection, which offers a wide variety of decorated tile in multiple formats and colors. Key features of the booth for attendees to enjoy include two towers that simulate with tile the illuminated signs of Las Vegas as well as a central corridor, highlighting the full color range offered by the Surf collection. Two other collections creatively displayed are Tandem Wood and Duo.
Ceramica Rondine – Bottega (Booth 1145) earned one of the Coverings 2026 Best Display honors. Attendees visiting the booth are guided through a series of interconnected rooms, each displaying different ceramic and porcelain offerings from the company. A standout space within the exhibit is the Japan-inspired room, which displays a variety of Ceramica Rondine – Bottega’s wood-look tile collections and is centered around a vibrant cherry blossom tree. Select other collections on display include Pastel X, Portland Rock and Vibe.
Another Best Display award was presented to Decocer (Booth 833) for its “Echoes of the Earth” design by architect Héctor Ruiz Velázquez. The booth was created as a fully immersive experience inspired by the primal qualities of clay and the natural world. The entire pavilion functions as architecture made of ceramics, rather than using traditional panels or displays, allowing visitors to walk on, touch and inhabit the materials. In the central space of the booth, ceramic columns, clad in earth-toned tiles, emerge from the clay walls. The curved, flowing forms of the stand create an organic and natural spatial experience to showcase eight tile collections from the company, including Talya and Eterea.
Wonder Porcelain (Booth 4439) also received a Best Display award. The company’s impressive exhibit showcases warm colors, technical finishes, new product sizes and in-house mosaics, and each room of the booth features a different feel and experience. It was designed to display Wonder Porcelain’s product offerings via the walls and floors. A highlight of the booth is the black and white checkerboard floor, featuring the company’s new obsidian-black Tuxedo™ Porcelain™ Collection and bright-white Arctic Style Porcelain™. Wonder Porcelain’s Taj Opus™ collection is also on display, which captures the timeless character of Taj Mahal marble through a thoughtfully reinterpreted, shimmering and nuanced design.
The Best Stone Display award went to ANTOLINI® (Booth 7833) for its striking exhibit designed as a contemporary village, conceived by designer and creative lead Alessandro La Spada. The concept invites visitors to follow the story of natural stone – from its origin in the quarry to its transformation into refined architectural surfaces. The space invites visitors to see luminous backlit walls, refined kitchen surfaces and the expressive finishes of the Texture+ Collection. In a dedicated space of the booth, these innovations reveal how technology can elevate stone, unveiling unexpected textures and depth. Coverings 2026 attendees touring the space can discover more than 20 of Antolini’s natural stones, including Cipollino GreyWave and Irish Greene®, both part of the Exclusive Collection.
Learn more at www.coverings.com.
About Coverings: Coverings is the largest and preeminent ceramic tile and natural stone trade fair and exposition in the United States and North America. It features exhibitors from 40 countries and is the stage for introducing some of the most innovative tile and stone products in the world with hundreds of exhibitors.
The exposition and conference, with more than 35 years of successful history, serve as a valuable and complimentary learning resource for all segments of the industry, with dozens of educational opportunities throughout the show. Coverings attracts thousands of distributors, retailers, fabricators, contractors, specifiers, architectural and design professionals, builders, real estate developers, as well as journalists, reporters, broadcasters, podcasters and bloggers who cover the vital tile and stone industry.
Key sponsors of the show are Ceramics of Italy/Confindustria Ceramica, Ceramic Tile Manufacturers Association of Spain (ASCER)/Tile of Spain, Tile Council of North America (TCNA), National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA), Ceramic Tile Distributors Association (CTDA) and International Product Assurance (IPA) Laboratories.
The show is managed by Taffy Event Strategies.
For more information about attending, sponsoring or exhibiting at Coverings 2026, contact Taffy Event Strategies at 571-313-5801 or [email protected].
Press Contacts:
Eberly & Collard Public Relations
404-574-2900
Sophie Collins: [email protected]
Don Eberly: [email protected]
Manufacturers
Announcing the 2025 Pentair Pool Pro Awards Winners
Seven Pool Industry Professionals to be Recognized as “Backyard Legends”
2025 Pentair Pool Pro Awards Winners
The awards recognized seven outstanding individuals for their exceptional expertise and dedication to the pool industry. The winners are:
Premier Pool Pro Award: Nick Lehman, Service Tech/Manager at Pinch-a-Penny
Premier Pool Pro Award: Jena Beach, Service Manager at Coastal Pools
Lifetime Achievement Award: Shannon Grave Jones, Owner at Graves Pools and Spas
Lifetime Achievement Award: Sean Johnson, Executive Vice President, Field Services at Amenity Pool Services
Unsung Hero Award: Jake Skipper, Owner/Operator at Skipper Pools & Spas
Safety Advocate Award: Chuck Helmick, Service Manager at Johnson Pool & Spa
Advancing Automation Award: Claudio Pámanes, Owner at Pámanes Pools
“It’s inspiring to see the impact these pool professionals have had on their communities,” said Greg Claffey, President and Chief Revenue Officer, Pentair Pool. “And hearing their stories of success and growth has been downright humbling. It’s an honor to recognize them with these awards in tandem with our sponsors – AQUA Magazine, Pool & Hot Tub Alliance, and GENESIS®.”
Attendees to the Atlantic City Pool and Spa Show can visit the Pentair Pool Booth (2219) on Wed., Jan. 28 at 4 p.m. EST for a public celebration of these winners.
For more information on the winners and to see highlights of the upcoming awards celebration in Atlantic City, please visit www.pentair.com/pool-pro-awards or www.facebook.com/pentairpool.
About Pentair Pool
At Pentair, we help the world safely and sustainably move, improve, and enjoy water, life’s most essential resource. From our residential and business solutions to industrial water management and everything in between, Pentair is focused on smart, sustainable water solutions that help our planet and people thrive.
As an industry leader in the pool and spa space, Pentair Pool is driven to help people sustainably enjoy water. Our solutions include industry-leading pumps, automation, lighting, heating, and filtration technology that help our customers enjoy a smarter and more sustainable pool. Customer success is at the heart of our vision for bringing family and friends together in the pool and on the deck to build social connections, create lifelong memories, and help promote fitness and enjoyment. For more information, visit www.pentair.com/poolandspa.
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