Pool & Spa News articles from March 2004

Pool & Spa News archives from March 2004

Zodiac buys Vogue.(Making News)
March 12, 2004... The French company Zodiac Group, parent of Zodiac American Pools Inc., has acquired Vogue Pool Products, an aboveground pool manufacturer based in Montreal. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. Vogue will operate separately from...

Polaris acquires caretaker.(Making News)
March 12, 2004... Polaris Pool Systems Inc. has purchased the 30-year-old in-floor cleaning systems manufacturer Caretaker Systems Inc. The deal was finalized in Late February, and terms of the sale were not disclosed. This acquisition will enable Polaris, a...

In with the new.(Reflections)
March 12, 2004... As many of you know, there are some new faces at Pool & Spa News. We recently hired two writers, and I wanted to take a moment to introduce them. Janice Littlejohn is our retailing/business editor. Her impressive list of publication...

Package pools offer competitive edge.(Making News)
March 12, 2004... Jim Wood is excited. This autumn, the Berkeley Aquatic Club's owner and head coach will oversee construction of an indoor facility around one of the two 50-meter pools used in this summer's U.S. Olympic team trials. The first step,...

Sta-Rite appeal claims 'irrelevant' evidence.
March 12, 2004... Attorneys for Sta-Rite Industries say that evidence admitted last summer in a suction entrapment case involving a 14-year-old Florida boy was irrelevant. That will be the defense used to appeal the $104 million judgment against the Delavan,...

Splash! Show set for August.
March 12, 2004... Splash!, a magazine for the Australian pool industry, announced that its "Splash 2004! Pool & Spa Trade Show" will be held Aug. 18-19 in Surfers Paradise (shown), Queensland, Australia. Highlights at the international show will include guest...

FSPA takes stance on entrapment.(Making News)
March 12, 2004... The Florida Swimming Pool Association is taking a stance on entrapment. Shunning the layers of protection concept, the organization says properly spaced dual main drains with anti-vortex covers is all that is needed to make a swimming pool...

Pacific dealers convene in Caribbean.
March 12, 2004... Pacific Pools, a manufacturer of pool and spa products in Latham, N.Y., recently held its annual Showcase Builder Conference at the Marriott St. Kitts Royal Resort on the Caribbean island of St. Kitts. For five days, more than 200 members of...

Caretaker awards bestowed in Hawaii.
March 12, 2004... At its annual dealers' incentive trip to Kona, Hawaii. Caretaker Systems Inc., a manufacturer of pool equipment in Scottsdale, Ariz., announced the winners of its 2003 Gold Star of Excellence Design Award. The honor roll included Mike Ferraro,...

Hot tub tech class to debut at expo.(Making News)
March 12, 2004... The National Spa & Pool Institute's Service Education Committee hopes to debut its Certified Hot Tub Technician classes at the 2004 International Pool & Spa Expo, slated for Dec. 1-3 in Las Vegas. NSPI officials and members said that...

A mixed housing starts report.(Making News)
March 12, 2004... Home building slowed to a seasonally adjusted rate of 1.90 million units in January 2004. While that represents a 7.9 percent dip from the revised estimate of 2.06 million units for December 2003, it is a 4.1 percent increase over January 2003....

Coast Spas hosts dealer event in Vancouver.
March 12, 2004... Coast Spas Manufacturing Inc. held its 2004 International Dealer Meeting at the Westin Bayshore Resort & Marina in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, last month. More than 200 dealers from around the world attended sales seminars and a...

Aquatherm slates incentive trip.
March 12, 2004... Aquatherm Industries Inc., a Lakewood, N.J.-based manufacturer of solar pool-heating equipment and heat pumps, announced its 12th Annual Dealer Incentive Trip to the Florida Keys, slated for Aug. 4-9. More than 100 dealers and their families...

Possible site for tech school found.(Making News)
March 12, 2004... The National Spa & Pool Institute's efforts to construct a permanent technical school in Northern California has moved a step closer to fruition. Organizers said they've found an appropriate building. "We've been looking at property for...

Economic indicators increase again.(Making News)
March 12, 2004... The U.S. Leading Economic Indicators Index increased 0.5 percent to 115.0 in January. The index has improved at a rate of 5.0 percent annually from its low in March 2003, and this increase continues to be widespread. Consumer expectations,...

New hot tub gets recommendation from arthritis researchers: developed in close collaboration with patients and scientists, Coast's Wellness Spa[TM] is the first to receive the endorsement of the Arthritis Research Centre of Canada.(Advertisement)
March 12, 2004... Thanks to Coast Spas, arthritis sufferers can now enjoy the benefits of hydrotherapy in ease and comfort. Coast's just-introduced Wellness Spa[TM] is the result of more than a year of close collaboration with the scientists and Consumer...

Aqua-Flo completes recapitalization.
March 12, 2004... The recent recapitalization of Aqua-Flo Inc. was the result of its new affiliation with Century Park Capital Partners, a Los Angeles private equity fund specializing in making minority and controlling interest investments in small to...

Industry veterans acquire Silicon.
March 12, 2004... Industry veterans John Stiglmeier, Jr., and Jeffrey B. Smith have acquired Silicon Derivatives. LLC, a coated aggregates manufacturer. The newly renamed company, Aggregate Concepts. U.C. will retain Silicon's manufacturing facility in St....

Manufacturing on the rise in '04.(Making News)
March 12, 2004... The National Association of Manufacturers expects a strong recovery in manufacturing this year, with that sector outperforming the economy as a whole. According to Reuters, NAM predicts a manufacturing production increase of more than 6...

Pool and Spa industry stock market transactions.(Making News)
March 12, 2004... Pool and Spa Industry Stock Market Transactions Quotations are February 23, 2004 Vol. Symbol (100s) NEW YORK...

Russian waterpark tragedy kills 26.
March 12, 2004... The roof of Transvaal Park, a 17-month-old indoor waterpark in Moscow. collapsed Feb. 14, killing 26 and injuring more than 100. Some experts have charged that the structure may have been weakened by excessive buildup of snow on the roof and...

Gardendance wins ARTS award.
March 12, 2004... Gardendance Inc., a Hillsborough, N.C.-based maker of outdoor room accessories, received the 15th Annual ARTS Award in the "Garden Accessories" category at the Dallas International Gift & Home Accessories Market. Presented each year by the...

Red Cross updates instructor training.(Making News)
March 12, 2004... For the first time in 12 years, the American Red Cross has updated its Swimming and Water Safety Program. The organization hopes to produce better swimmers, swim instructors and lifeguards. The updated program streamlines the instructor...

Small Business Optimism stays strong.(Making News)
March 12, 2004... While not as bullish as December, the Small Business Optimism Index hit 105.8 in January, its fourth-highest quarterly reading in several decades. "Not since the 1980s have we seen numbers like this," said William Dunkelberg, chief economist at...

Awash with emotion: a moving waterscape plays a prominent role in the proposed World Trade Center memorial.(Making News)
March 12, 2004... Architect Michael Arad and landscape architect Peter Walker recently unveiled one of the most historic waterscapes ever proposed. "Reflecting Absence," will serve as the centerpiece of the 16-acre World Trade Center memorial. The project is...

LJH president steps down.
March 12, 2004... Lee J. Hilton, president of Lee J. Hilton & Associates Inc., is partially retiring after selling his partnership to Semco Sales & Consulting, based in Medford, N.J. For 44 years, Hilton has been a manufacturer's representative for many pool...

BioLab promotes Carlyle.
March 12, 2004... BioLab Commercial Water, a BioLab Inc. division, promoted Stephen Carlyle to business manager. A 20-year industry veteran, Carlyle will be responsible for the strategic planning and execution of all activities for his division at the...

Pentair taps Ponte.
March 12, 2004... Sharon Ponte has been named customer service manager for the Western Division of Pentair Pool Products, a manufacturer headquartered in Sanford, NC She will oversee Pentair's West Coast distributor customer-service operations.

Acu-Trol hires sales duo.
March 12, 2004... Acu-Trol Programmable Controllers, a manufacturer of pool and spa automatic controllers, has hired Chris Secue as territory manager in charge of commercial and residential sales for the Southeast region. The Auburn, Calif.-based firm also...

S.R. Smith adds two.
March 12, 2004... Brad Grosskreutz and Joy McDonald have joined the customer service team at S.R. Smith, a manufacturer of pool deck accessories based in Canby, Ore. Grosskreutz's previous customer care experience includes three years as the customer service...

Williams earns CCT-I.
March 12, 2004... The American Composites Manufacturers Association recently certified Nick Williams, production manager at Blue Hawaiian Fiberglass Pools, as a composites technician instructor (CCT-I). The distinction allows Williams to teach the Certified...

The pool sheik: Army reservist and service technician Jim Stearns leaves his mark on the pools of Baghdad.(People)
March 12, 2004... Lt. Col. Jim Steams stood poolside at the Palace Compound in Baghdad, Iraq, surveying the ruins. Shrapnel overflowed from the marble-decked pool. Only the equipment room, tucked beneath deck, had survived the shelling. He shook his head. Back...

The o-zone: ozone is one of the best friends a service technician can have. Here's a look at how it works in pool water and why it helps.(Technically Speaking)
March 12, 2004... Many service technicians are familiar with ozone generators, having either installed or repaired one for a client. However, not as many are familiar with what ozone actually does once it gets in the water and how it can best work with other...

Beating the odds: seven tips for service technicians who want to survive in a litigious world.(Legal Eagle)
March 12, 2004... In these litigious times, everyone from injured or dissatisfied customers to unanticipated third parties is quick to sue first and ask questions later. A claim against a service company may stem not only from allegations of inadequate...

All hands on deck: a dedicated crew brings heart and soul to the Western Pool & Spa Show.(Calendar)
March 12, 2004... The Western Pool & Spa Show, which is scheduled for March 27-29 in Long Beach, Calif., has been a service-industry mainstay for 26 years. And for the past 25, Peter Haverlation has volunteered in some capacity--from security detail in the late...

How the West was won: with a renewed focus on technology and education, the region's service sector is refining the way it does business.
March 12, 2004... By Anne Baye While much of the rest of the country chills out under a blanket of snow this time of year, service technicians in the West continue to do business as usual--and business has been booming of late. The sheer quantity of pools...

Port of call: this coastal community features breathtaking sights, shopping, dining--and plenty of oceanside fun.
March 12, 2004... Long Beach comes by its motto, "the center of it all," honestly. Located approximately 25 miles south of Los Angeles, the city is situated near numerous Southern California attractions: the Hollywood scene, amusement parks, Catalina Island and...

Smart solutions: educational opportunities take center stage at the Western Pool & Spa Show.(Calendar)
March 12, 2004... A primary mission of the Western Pool & Spa Show is to increase the knowledge of service technicians and other industry professionals. This year's show, with its approximately 120 hours of education, will be no different, say its organizers....

2004 WPSS exhibitors.
March 12, 2004... March 25-27 * Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center * Long Beach, Calif. Exhibit Hall Hours Thursday 6-9 p.m. Friday 2-7 p.m. Saturday 1-6 p.m A&B Brush ...

Coming out of their shells: eight ways customized options can put back the "ahhh" in gunite spas.
March 12, 2004... A well-designed concrete spa looks good in almost any backyard. Add customized plaster and high-end tiling and "good" becomes a work of art. But while many pool builders will happily embark on concrete spa projects, they are often hesitant...

Best in show: builder showrooms can make or break a business. Check out these tips on how to seal the deal with maximum appeal.
March 12, 2004... Richard Christiansen never underestimates the value of visuals. For this reason, he encourages his salespeople to throw leaves, rocks and other types of debris into the company's outdoor showroom pool. It serves as a clever way to...

Get your motor running: step-by-step instructions on how to fix three common pump motor problems.
March 12, 2004... When pump motors start misbehaving, it's tempting to pull the entire unit and sell your customer a brand-new pump. However, pumps have a planned obsolescence of about 10 to 12 years. When one burns out in two years and you replace the entire...

Burning down the house: for nearly 30 years, Don Burns has been a tireless lobbyist for California's pool and spa industry. He leaves a legacy of legislative leadership, and controversy.
March 12, 2004... On the morning of Jan. 6, Don Burns convinced California's Orange County Board of Supervisors to repeal a law mandating four-sided fences around pools and spas. The law had been in place for a year, but the board voted 4 to 0 against it. ...

Packaged to perfection: innovative builders stretch the limits of package pool designs.
March 12, 2004... For nearly a decade, package-pool professionals have been finding ways to offer many of the bells and whistles offered by their gunite peers. Starting with modular wall panels available in a variety of materials, these builders add on...

3M Colorquartz aggregate.(Pool Surfaces & Finishing Materials)
March 12, 2004... by 3M Corp. Features: granules colored with a ceramic coating; product is designed to be used as an added ingredient in pool plaster to create colorful, durable exposed aggregate finishes; 14 colors; two sizes: available in 50-pound bags...

Ceramic tile mosaics.(Pool Surfaces & Finishing Materials)
March 12, 2004... by Artistry in Mosaics Features: company offers Garden, Santa Fe and Shadow lines of ceramic tiles, as well as Mosaic Placement Software (shown) for designing pool mosaics Contact: Artistry in Mosaics Inc., Fort Pierce, Fla. (877)...

Pool plaster, finishes, coatings and grouts.(Pool Surfaces & Finishing Materials)
March 12, 2004... by C.L. Industries Features: a complete line of pool plaster, exposed aggregate finishes, polished marble and pebble finishes, deck coatings, cements, grouts and bonding agents available Offerings: free marketing assistance and...

AcidMagic concrete surface etch paint preparation.(Pool Surfaces & Finishing Materials)
March 12, 2004... by Aqua Magic Features: designed for etching concrete prior to painting; made to be effective on grease, oil spots and stains; biodegradable, nonflammable and noncorrosive, per maker; available in 1- and 5-gallon bottles and 30- and...

Pool and spa tile.(Pool Surfaces & Finishing Materials)
March 12, 2004... by Atlantic Tile Graphics Features: handmade waterline tile, coping and pool-deck tile; tiles by Tikeenan Tileworks, Surving Studios and Island Stone are available Contact: Atlantic Tile Graphics, Concord, NH. (603) 225-2735 Write...

Deck-O-Grip nonslip concrete deck cure and seal.(Pool Surfaces & Finishing Materials)
March 12, 2004... by Deck-O-Seal Features: designed to be a nonslip, nonyellowing deck cure and sealant, providing a glossy appearance; product is easy to clean, dust-proofs concrete and improves weather resistance, per maker Contact: Deck-O-Seal, div.,...

Hydrazzo polished marble pool finish.(Pool Surfaces & Finishing Materials)
March 12, 2004... by Aquavations Corp. Features: made to create a smooth texture, with the durability of exposed aggregates; designed to resist etching, topical stains, permanent scale and algae Offerings: free marketing assistance and materials;...

Decorative concrete.(Pool Surfaces & Finishing Materials)
March 12, 2004... by Bomanite Corp. Features: decorative concrete available in more than 100 patterns and an extensive palette of colors Contact: Bomanite Corp., Madera, Calif. (559) 673-2411 Write 196 on Postage-Free Card [ILLUSTRATION...

Sure-Foot decorative finish.(Pool Surfaces & Finishing Materials)
March 12, 2004... by Environmental Coating System Features: Low-cost, easy-to-apply, nonskid decorative concrete coating, per maker, 18 patterns from which to choose Offerings: free stencil with purchases exceeding 52,500 Contact: Environmental...

E-Z pool deck coating.(Pool Surfaces & Finishing Materials)
March 12, 2004... by E-Z Products Features: professional grade pool deck and patio coating, formulated with 45 percent acrylic and 3 percent epoxy: designed to be low sheen and easy to apply Offerings: brochures, literature and free instructional video...

Glass floor tiles.(Pool Surfaces & Finishing Materials)
March 12, 2004... by Images in Tile Features: new glass floor tiles for residential and commercial spaces; company can reproduce any image onto tiles; product meets ANSI and ASTM standards and resists the effects of pool chemicals, hydrochloric acid and...

Pool Mix.(Pool Surfaces & Finishing Materials)
March 12, 2004... by Imerys Features: product is a high white marble, ground to a specific aggregate for inground pools; when formulated with white cement, the product provides a smooth, Long-lasting finish, per maker Contact: Imerys, Roswell, Ga. (800)...

Tile, plaster, coping and mosaics.(Pool Surfaces & Finishing Materials)
March 12, 2004... by International Pool Tile Corp. Features: company offers a variety of finishing materials, including pool tile, plaster, coping and mosaics Contact: International Pool Tile Corp., Cranbury, N.J. (888)865-6685 Write 206 on...

AQ series coping.(Pool Surfaces & Finishing Materials)
March 12, 2004... by Federal Stone Industries Features: available in various sizes, radii, colors and textures: designed to meet virtually any remodeling or renovation need; radius chart included to aid the installer in figuring curves Contact: Federal...

Trimline collar.(Pool Surfaces & Finishing Materials)
March 12, 2004... by Imperial Pools Mfg. & Dist. Features: patented step coping designed to give pool clean and continuous trim around the entire perimeter Offerings: full-color brochures; Web site with complete technical specification and details ...

Mosaics--By Inlays.(Pool Surfaces & Finishing Materials)
March 12, 2004... by Inlays Features: one piece; made to be skid- and frost-resistant; easy to install, according to manufacturer Offerings: literature; sample program; Web site Contact: Inlays Inc., Green Bay, Wis. (800) 426-6873 Write 205 on...

DuraWhite.(Pool Surfaces & Finishing Materials)
March 12, 2004... by Huber Engineered Materials Features: plaster product is designed to deliver a bright white, durable plastered surface Contact: Huber Engineered Materials, Atlanta (770) 607-3345 Write 207 on Postage-Free Card [ILLUSTRATION...

White cement.(Pool Surfaces & Finishing Materials)
March 12, 2004... by Lehigh Cement Co. Features: company offers white portland cement for pool plaster; ASTM-certified Contact: Lehigh Cement Co., White Cement Division. Allentown, Pa. (610) 366-4600 Write 208 on Postage-Free Card ...

Pool plastering trucks.(Pool Surfaces & Finishing Materials)
March 12, 2004... by Macalite Equipment Features: truck features a Putzmeister plaster pump with 37hp diesel engine and Hydra-Row plaster mixer; one diesel engine runs both plaster pump and mixer, mixer has forward, neutral, reverse and variable speed...

Mayco LS series concrete pumps.(Pool Surfaces & Finishing Materials)
March 12, 2004... by Multiquip Features: concrete pumps come standard with a hopper remixer, a 10-cubic-foot hopper capacity, hydraulic oil cooler, high-velocity heat exchangers, 6-by-36-inch concrete cylinders; available in 60-, 75- and 106-horsepower...

NataDek floor and deck surfacing.(Pool Surfaces & Finishing Materials)
March 12, 2004... by Natare Corp. Features: PVC surface, with its nonslip capability, is designed for use in wet environments such as pool decks and locker rooms; designed to be watertight, easy to maintain; resists staining, abrasion, chemicals, mildew,...

Pool plastering tools and pumps.(Pool Surfaces & Finishing Materials)
March 12, 2004... by Nathan Kimmel Co. Features: a complete line of pool plastering tools, including trowels, pumps, parts, hoses, nozzles and plaster cleats, are available Contact: Nathan Kimmel Co., Los Angeles (800) 421-0005 Write 212 on...

NPT pool finishes--pebble system.(Pool Surfaces & Finishing Materials)
March 12, 2004... by National Pool Tile Group Features: aggregate compound resists acid etching; pre-measured and scientifically formulated for consistent color quality and results; available in a wide range of color choices Offerings: limited five-year...

Pool and deck coatings.(Pool Surfaces & Finishing Materials)
March 12, 2004... by Nelsonite Pool and Deck Coatings Features: company offers a variety of quality pool and deck coatings; available in assorted colors Contact: Nelsonite Pool and Deck Coatings, Los Angeles (800) 544-1998 Write 214 on Postage-Free...

Pool coping and pavers.(Pool Surfaces & Finishing Materials)
March 12, 2004... by Pacific Clay Brick Products Features: company offers a selection of quality pool coping and pavers, including clay brick products and porcelain tiles Contact: Pacific Clay Brick Products Inc., Lake Elsinore, Calif. (909) 674-2131...

PebbleTec natural pebble pool finish.(Pool Surfaces & Finishing Materials)
March 12, 2004... by Pebble Technology Features: product offers durability and a special look and texture, per maker; professional application Offerings: warranty; brochures; samples available Contact: Pebble Technology Inc., Scottsdale, Ariz. (800)...

Acrylic-polymer cementitious surfacing.(Pool Surfaces & Finishing Materials)
March 12, 2004... by Perma-Crete Features: three-part, acrylic-polymer cementitious surfacing system; available in 150 colors; sealed, nonporous surface; designed to be chemical- and weather-resistant Offerings: on-site, in-house training; brochures;...

Pool liner coping, coping paint and track.(Pool Surfaces & Finishing Materials)
March 12, 2004... by Plastimayd Corp. Features: aluminum and PVC liner coping; top mount and side mount liner track; straight pieces and pre-cut notched trace for 2-, 4- and 6-foot radius comers; top mount track with fiberoptic receiver section: coping...

Ultra Poly One Coat.(Pool Surfaces & Finishing Materials)
March 12, 2004... by Poly Solutions Features: one-coat hybrid epoxy coating for concrete, fiberglass, metal and previously painted pools Contact: Poly Solutions Inc., Gibsonia, Pa. (724) 449-1040 Write 219 on Postage-Free Card [ILLUSTRATION...

Sili-Thane 801 joint sealant.(Pool Surfaces & Finishing Materials)
March 12, 2004... by Polymeric Solutions Features: combines the features of silicone and polyurethane; suitable for caulking above waterline joints: solvent- and isocyanate-free formulation is environmentally friendly, UV resistant, paintable and will not...

Carrousel pump 15010TBM-3-GAM.(Pool Surfaces & Finishing Materials)
March 12, 2004... by Quikspray Features: designed for spraying heavy-bodied commercial coating; peristaltic pump requires little maintenance and is suitable for pumping many aggregate and fiber products, per maker Contact: Quikspray Inc., Port Clinton,...

A30HP shotcrete pump.(Pool Surfaces & Finishing Materials)
March 12, 2004... by Reed Mfg. Features: designed to spray concrete efficiently with a Rexroth hydraulic pump; also features the true-reverse S tube, which is safer than ball valves, according to the manufacturer Offerings: training available ...

Sau-Sea plaster sealer.(Pool Surfaces & Finishing Materials)
March 12, 2004... by Sau-Sea Swimming Pool Coatings Features: plaster sealer designed to stop staining, acid attacks and moisture damage to plaster/gunite pools Contact: Sau-Sea Swimming Pool Coatings, Southampton, N.J. (800) 4728732 Write 223 on...

P-305 line pump.(Pool Surfaces & Finishing Materials)
March 12, 2004... by Schwing America Features: trailer pump features patented Schwing Rock Valve and hydraulic components for reliability and consistency: 5-inch material cylinders combine with a 30-inch stroke for smooth, steady line pours; designed to...

White cement pool sand.(Pool Surfaces & Finishing Materials)
March 12, 2004... by TXI/Riverside Cement Features: company offers durable quality white cement, steel, aggregate, concrete and pool sand Contact: TXI/Riverside Cement, Ontario, Calif. (909) 635-1800 Write 227 on Postage-Free Card [ILLUSTRATION...

River Rok natures collection.(Pool Surfaces & Finishing Materials)
March 12, 2004... by SGM Features: pool, spa and deck finishes; blends selected natural pebble aggregates and fortified portland cement; six standard colors can be combined to achieve custom colors Offerings: computerized quality-control methods ...

Uni-Weld Pool-Tite PVC cement.(Pool Surfaces & Finishing Materials)
March 12, 2004... by United Elchem Industries Features: company offers Uni-Weld Pool-Tite PVC cement; cleaners, primers and accessories also available Contact: United Elchem Industries Inc., Dallas (972) 241-6601 Write 228 on Postage-Free Card ...

S-1 mobile.(Pool Surfaces & Finishing Materials)
March 12, 2004... by Spray Force Mfg. Features: company offers hydraulic mixers with diesel or gas engines Offerings: custom alterations Contact: Spray Force Mfg., Fresno, Calif. (800) 824-8490 Write 226 on Postage-Free Card [ILLUSTRATION...

Marble blend finish.(Pool Surfaces & Finishing Materials)
March 12, 2004... by Universal White Cement Co. Features: plaster premix combines high-performance admixtures, cement and quality marble sand; provides high psi strength and an appearance devoid of dirty specks, per maker Contact: Universal White Cement...

Sling.(New Products)
March 12, 2004... by Gloster Furniture Features: fresh material for company's Luna, Ethos, Riviera and Icon lines of indoor and outdoor furniture; made from woven vinyl stretched taut between two side frames for a springy sit that molds to user's body...