Archive for January, 2008
SeaKlear One-Two Punch for Algae
One of our newest open box specials at Blue Haven Pools and Spas Supplies Direct is One-Two Punch for algae and phosphates by SeaKlear. Simply add this one-two punch to your pool before installing your safety cover and we will guarantee you have an algae-free pool when you open it, even up to 6 months after closing. SeaKlear Phosphate Remover works better and does more than other phosphate removers.
Removes up to 1,000 ppb of orthophosphates per 20,000 gallons of water. Proven to eliminate phosphates from fertilizers, rainwater, soaps, decaying vegetation and other pollutants. Non-toxic - 100% safe for your family and the environment
Finis Monofin Training Tips
Monofin Training Tips from Finis
Training with a Monofin provides benefits for all strokes, such as improved streamline, body alignment, dolphin kicking technique and general kicking efficiency. Below are five key steps to improving your Monofin technique.
Step 1: Streamline Extend arms as far as possible and overlap hands, which are clasped together by the thumb of the top hand. Tuck head securely beneath the biceps while reducing the triangle-shaped space between the arms. Compress body to remove as much resistance as possible.
Step 2: Slight Hunch of Neck and Shoulders While streamlined, slightly hunch the neck and shoulders without dropping the hands or head. This not only initiates the crucial undulation that will grow as it reaches the hips, but also keeps the upper body in a more aligned position while creating a forward “over the top of a small wave” sensation.
Step 3: Drive the Legs With heels up and knees slightly bent, quadriceps flex and feet are driven downward in unison and with equal force.
Step 4: Hips Forced Up At the feet drive down, the body’s undulation reaches the hips which should be forced up to accentuate the power of the downward kick. Do not drop hands but keep them oriented forward and in alignment with the upper body from the waist up.
Step 5: Hips Slide Forward Thrust the hips forward to assist the sweep of the upbeat kick and to get the heels ready quicker for the propulsive downbeat.
This hip thrust should also trigger the neck and shoulder hunch starting the body’s undulation and the Monofin cycle all over again. The feeling created should be of the hips sliding forward as the speed created from the downbeat is maintained. Transition from the up position of the hips to the hip thrusts forward should be smooth and continuous with no delay in between the respective motion.
Note: Proper Monofins technique should yield powerful yet smooth movement through the water. Extra body movement should be minimized. In particular, there should be little up-and-down motion from above the waist through the fingertips, which should be kept straight and in alignment to set the most forward moving, least-resistant body position. As indicated by Steps 4 and 5, the piramary movement is the Monofin technique in the upwards and forwdard undulation of the hips. The main source of power derives from the swimmers mid-section, involving the lower abdominal and back muscles, butt and quadrcaps.
Toba Floating Pool Fountains
The ONLY remote controlled, self-contained fountain on the market.
As seen on HGTV’s Outdoor Living Expo and the hit show, I Want That! and gifted in the Golden Globes® Gift Suite 2007
Toba Fountains has taken the guesswork out of fountain installation for pool owners and put the emphasis on style. The Legend Fountain sets the mood for any party or conference. Set the fountain to showcase a large impressive display or relax listening to a gentle whisper. Like the Tranquility Fountain for pond owners, the Legend Fountain offers over 150 different combinations of spray patterns and sound effects using different fountain heads and lens colors.
Unlike traditional fountains for pools that require you to invest in permanent installation or have them attached to the filtration system, the Legend Fountain gives pool owners options! Each fountain comes standard with four different fountain heads, lighting effects, long range RF remote control, automatic timer and automatic effect changes! With the different fountain heads, you can create a variety of spray patterns and sound effects.
Win a Free Beach Ball
Who wouldn’t like a free beach ball! Nothing spells fun under the sun quite like bouncing a beach ball around with friends. We’ve created a simple drawing to give away a free beach every day. Visit freebeachball.com to register for your chance to win.
Spa Aromatherapy from Spazazz
Many people are becoming aware of the health benefits of aromatherapy. When combined with a relaxing soak in the hot tub, aromatherapy crystals can help create the ultimate environment for rest and recovery. Blue Haven Pools and Spas Supplies Direct carries several varieties of spa crystals from Spazazz … such as Spa Elixirs and Spa Crystals. Therapeutic benefits include:
- A natural remedy for aches and pains
- Anti-inflammatory
- Muscle relaxants for tension and stress
- Enhancement of innate self-healing capabilities
Open Box Specials Now on Sale
We’ve just created a new open box section on the Blue Haven Pools and Spas Supplies Direct website. It features products that are “as good as new” but without the brand new price. Many of these products are returns that are still under the manufacturers warranty. In some cases, they are products we have brought in from various distribution centers. Great deals abound! A great example is the SmartVac In-Ground Pool Cleaner by Jandy. We currently brand-new models for $599 on our site; we have a limited number in the warehouse for only $399. But once they’re gone … they’re gone!
Redesigned Finis Brand Page
Finis is recognized as one of the leaders in designing training equipment for competitive swimming. At Blue Haven Pools and Spas Supplies Direct, we are proud to carry a wide selection of Finis products. We have created a special brand page where you can quickly find the Finis product you are looking for. You’ll find quick links to ground-breaking innovations such as the monofin as well as a waterproof MP3 player.
Good Article on Swimming Laps and Fighting Boredom
As I was out and about this morning on the internet, I came across a good blog post on how to fight boredom when swimming laps. It’s reprinted below. Here is the direct link to the article. It’s from a blog called “Swimming is Easy.”
When I tell people what I do for exercise, I often get replies such as, “I would swim, but its so dull going back and forth ad nauseum.” Well, I don’t claim to have the secret to fighting lap swimming boredom, but I’ve done it long enough to agree it can get dull. Here are some of the things I do to keep up my enthusiasm.1. Set goals (both mini and macro) - achievement makes it all worthwhile and pulls you back time and again
2. Use other swimmers like racing dogs to the rabbit at a dog track. Try to catch and pass them. Then do it again, and again. If they are too fast, just track your progress relative to them with markers in the bottom of the pool like the drain or lights. Note where you are when you pass the other swimmer even if they are going the other way, then when you get to the same spot the next lap, see if you have increased any distance between you and that swimmer (or have they gone faster than you?).
3. Watch other swimmers’ swim style (under water). If they are better than you, try to determine what it is that makes them better then try it yourself.
4. Watch what is going on around you. Things are always changing and just noticing little things can get your mind off the repetition you are doing.
5. Wear a digital watch. During your turns, note your time. I often like to do mental math to calculate simple things like speed and laps to go in how long, etc.
6. Change up your stroke. I do freestyle primarily, so one might think I’m stuck, but I’m not - I change the sides I’m breathing on. I work one side for 400, the other side for 400, then change the breathing rhythm e.g., 5,3,change sides 5,3 … 5, change sides 5, etc.
7. If none of this works … Some people listen to tunes or even audio books using a sealed MP3 player with special ear buds that keep the water out.
Product Tip: Finis’ SwiMP3 Waterproof MP3 player.
Hayward In-Ground Pool Cleaner Troubleshooting Guide
Hayward® In-Ground Pool Cleaners Troubleshooting Guide
My cleaner doesn’t move
Cleaners depend on several factors to make them operate. There must be enough water flow past the turbine. Use a vacuum gauge to measure the vacuum in the cleaner hose. You should have 1″ vacuum per section of hose.
Second, the four small “shoes” must be able to grip the pool surface. Make sure that the “shoes” are not worn out and that the surface of the pool is not slippery because of a buildup of algae. Note: some algae is clear, be sure to feel the underwater pool surface.
Third, the shoes and “pods” must be working correctly. Any wear in the “drive train” can cause problems. To check for wear, hold the left and right “pods” in your hands and firmly, try to rock the pods. All force on the pods should be transferred to the turbine and no “play” should be evident.
As a test, hold the cleaner by the hose. Keep the cleaner below water with the pump running. Hold the cleaner off the bottom of the pool and observe, the cleaner should: rotate right - not rotate - rotate left - not rotate - rotate right - etc. All the time, the “pods” should be kicking. If you can reach under the cleaner and stop the pods with your hand, there is either excessive wear on the internal parts or inadequate suction. Remember to check the vacuum reading before calling for assistance.
The hoses are twisting
Cleaner hoses cannot be coiled up for storage. If you have coiled them, take the sections apart, lay them straight, and leave them outside for an entire day and night. Once the curls are removed, the hose should be usable.
Cleaner won’t climb the wall of my vinyl liner pool
Depending on the angle of the pool floor to the pool walls, the cleaner may not be able to “climb” the “slope.” Picture the cleaner on the pool bottom at the intersection of where the pool wall meets the bottom at a sharp angle, (like the walls in your house.) The cleaner will not be able to make the transition, don’t worry, it’s not supposed to. After all, the dirt is on the bottom.
The cleaner sticks at the steps
The hose might be too short.
1. Check to see that the hose extends two full sections past the furthest point in the pool.
2. Check to see that the return line(s) are not affecting the cleaner’s movement.
3. Use the vacuum gauge to measure the vacuum in the cleaner hose. You should have 1 inch of vacuum per section of hose.
4. Check the shoes, wings and flaps for wear.
5. Check the rear flap adjuster, and move it to the I position.
As a test, hold the cleaner by the hose. Keep the cleaner below water with the pump running. Hold the cleaner off the bottom of the pool and observe, the cleaner should: rotate right - not rotate - rotate left - not rotate - rotate right - etc. All the time, the “pods” should be kicking. If the cleaner is not doing the “test” movements, call Blue Haven Pools & Spas Supplies Direct.
Read the rest of the Hayward In-Ground Cleaner Troubleshooting Guide.
Rebates on Great Swimming Pool Products
We recently created a Rebate Center at Blue Haven Pools and Spas Supplies Direct. It’s a place to find manufacturer rebates from trusted pool brands such as Hayward, Polaris, Zodiac, Dirt Devil, and others. We’ve gathered them into one place so you can quickly find the best deals on the best products.
