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
Confer Plastics, one of the most established manufacturers serving the pool and spa industry, is moving forward with a 30,000-square-foot warehouse expansion at its Wheatfield, N.Y., facility. The project, now under town review, is designed to support the company’s rising production volume across pool, spa, and outdoor living categories — as well as the continued growth of its emerging direct-to-consumer business.
Company president Bob Confer confirmed that the new warehouse space at 2107 Liberty Drive will help accommodate increased demand for core products such as pool ladders, steps, hot tub cabinets, and other blow-molded components widely used across the aquatics market.
“We’re also expanding to accommodate our direct-to-consumer business, which is a relatively new endeavor for us,” he wrote in an email. “In 2023, we developed online channels for snow sleds and patio furniture. Our initial success has been pretty decent, so we expect the future for those products, and more to come, to be bright.”
The project contractor, Tedesco Construction Services, has previously overseen multiple expansion efforts for Confer at its primary manufacturing plant on Witmer Road in North Tonawanda. That facility houses some of the largest blow molding machines in the world, including a 15-foot-tall unit capable of handling 145 pounds of material at a time. The company’s capabilities extend far beyond aquatics: Confer also manufactures items for stadium seating, medical devices, kayaks, mannequins, trash receptacles, and more.
While the Wheatfield expansion will not directly add new jobs at that location, Confer noted that the increased warehouse capacity “could lead to a handful of jobs” at the main North Tonawanda plant. Additional storage effectively boosts manufacturing throughput, allowing the company to run molding machines more efficiently and increase overall production cycles.
Founded in 1973, Confer Plastics has grown to a 195-employee operation and remains one of Western New York’s most enduring manufacturers within the pool and spa sector. The warehouse expansion underscores the company’s commitment to supporting its dealer network, OEM partners, and consumers as demand for outdoor living products remains strong.
Featured Photo Credit: Confer Plastics
JED Pool Tools, manufacturer of swimming pool maintenance equipment and accessories, was pleased to recently receive a ‘Customer Excellence Award’ from Estes Freight company, the largest privately held freight transportation company in North America. This award recognizes customers that demonstrate strong shipment values, revenue growth, and foster a collaborative relationship. This award celebrates a few select customers for outstanding engagement, enabling a strategic partnership, and committing to mutual success.
“We’re pleased to earn such high recognition from a leader like Estes,” said Glenn Jonelunas Manager of Warehouse Operations at JED Pool Tools. “We’re honored to be recognized for this award, which is a reflection of the well-established and trusted partnership we’ve built together.”
The Estes Customer Excellence Award was created to recognize and celebrate customers who exemplify outstanding collaboration, commitment and service. Estes presented JED Pool Tools with a celebratory cake and plaque.
About JED Pool Tools
JED Pool Tools has been making high-quality pool tools and pool accessories in the USA for 30 years. JED Pool Tools sells over 400 different products including residential and commercial skimmers, leaf rakes, poles, wall brushes and vacuum heads as well as hoses and through-wall skimmer parts. JED is a family-run company with 3-generations of Heyen family working for the company and is committed to creating and providing jobs for residents of Scranton, PA. JED isproud of and committed to manufacturing in the USA, many it its own facility in Scranton, PA. To learn more about the company and its products visit www.JEDPoolTools.com.
About Estes
Estes is North America’s largest privately owned freight carrier. As an asset-based transportation provider with a global footprint, Estes combines nearly a century of regional freight shipping expertise with the resources, reach, and reliability of a national carrier. Backed by its more than 300 North American terminals and nearly 7,000 next-day lanes, as well as its fleet of more than 10,500 tractors, Estes is committed to getting America’s freight where it needs to go, when it needs to get there. And with its continued investment in leading-edge technology, as well as the support of its more than 24,000 employees. To learn more about Estes visit www.estes-express.com.
Hastings, UK – UK-based manufacturer Plastipack Ltd announces the U.S. launch of its latest swimming-pool cover material: Sol+Guard™ Gen2, utilising the globally trusted GeoBubble™ technology.
GeoBubble™ pool covers have been available in the U.S. since early 2024, with high-performance products like CoolGuard™ Ultra proving especially popular in warmer regions. The launch of Gen2 brings an important step change in performance, durability and sustainability that builds on that early success.
By integrating graphene, an exceptionally strong and thermally conductive material, Plastipack has developed a film that is 20 % thinner without sacrificing performance or durability.
Unlike many thinner, short-life covers currently available in the market, GeoBubble™ materials are engineered for durability. Each cover features the patented GeoBubble™ shape, which eliminates weak points found in traditional bubble designs, preventing premature degradation caused by UV and chemical attack.
“Pool owners deserve a cover that lasts more than one season,” says Peter Adlington, Managing Director at Plastipack Ltd. “With GeoBubble™ Gen2, we’re combining advanced material science with real-world performance testing to deliver a product that’s lighter, stronger, and far more durable — helping to lower running costs while reducing environmental impact.”
Sol+Guard™ Gen2 is now available to U.S. pool owners through Solar Pool Supply.
About GeoBubble™
GeoBubble™ is an innovative bubble design developed by Plastipack Ltd, a UK-based manufacturer specializing in energy- and resource-saving cover materials for swimming pools. With unique patented technology and extensive in-house testing, GeoBubble™ materials are engineered to deliver superior durability, energy efficiency, and environmental performance.
For full details, visit geobubblepoolcovers.com or contact: [email protected] | +44 (0)1424 851659
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