Murdoch has seen a lot of activity in the renovation sector, too. "We've had a lot of interest at the shows from builders large and small. And, interestingly, from people who renovate pools; the renovation market is very large. Offering a product that a renovator can use is a great opportunity. If you're already resurfacing the pool and you're changing some things, to be able to say to the customer, 'why don't you swim in this pool, too.' is a win-win," he says. "There are some upgrades like programmability, digital displays, things that make it even more profitable for the dealer."

Bee For Every Blossom            
Whether new construction or renovation, gunite, vinyl-liner or fiberglass, there are multiple options for the builder adding functionality to a backyard pool.

The most involved installation is a behind-the-wall unit like the Riverflow system. Wall penetrations and fittings are placed and the plumbing then travels underground to the pump, which can be as far as 100 feet away. Davidson's system propels as much as 5,000 gpm to create a smooth, nonturbulent current that is controlled by a variable-speed remote control.

"It is a pump that comes with its own wall-penetration fittings, whether it's for gunite or fiberglass or vinyl liner," says Davidson. "So there are lots of different models of fiberglass and vinyl-liner pools that we adapt to."
For a renovation, or to install on an existing pool, the builder will have to cut into the wall. "We provide the engineering. It's not a big deal," says Davidson. "There are either two or three holes required and then our fittings are set in and then it's recemented and replastered. All the plumbing goes underground back to wherever the pump is located."