Hot Tubs in the News – Issue 2

This week’s hot tub news is a bit varied dependent on the country it comes from.  Here in the UK, Corey Feldman on Dancing on Ice wasn’t impressed with the level of luxury items backstage as a hot tub wasn’t present for his persistent back issues, whilst over in the US, a guy is wanted for hot tub fraud on Craigslist.  Take a look at the below to find out more!

Corey Feldman asks for jacuzzi in his Dancing on Ice dressing room

Corey Feldman stunned Dancing on Ice producers by asking for a jacuzzi in his dressing room.

The Hollywood actor made the request after turning up at the show studios and discovering that the backstage facilities didn’t have hot tubs.

But staff at the less-than-luxurious Elstree Studios explained to him he would have to live without the kind of luxuries he was used to in Tinseltown.
Corey, 40, who starred in The Lost Boys, had said he needed a tub to help ease a

persistent back injury, but he apparently accepted their explanation.
A show source said: “He said they were fairly standard in Hollywood. To be fair, when we explained the situation to him he did accept it and didn’t get in too much of a strop.”

Read more: http://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/news/2012/01/29/corey-feldman-asks-for-jacuzzi-in-his-dancing-on-ice-dressing-room-115875-23725014/#ixzz1kwcIhbTp

Deputies looking for man wanted in Craigslist scam

STATESVILLE, NC (WBTV) -  The Iredell County Sheriff’s Office needs your help in locating a man wanted in a Craigslist scam.

Troy Lee Waters, 45, is wanted in Iredell County for Obtaining Property by False Pretense, according to a news release from the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office.

Waters is also wanted in three states for similar crimes.

Deputies say he is using multiple aliases when buying hot tubs from persons who post their ads on Craigslist.

Waters will contact the seller, show up at their residence and write them a check that cannot be cashed or deposited, due to the fact that the checks are being written on a closed account, according to the release.

Waters operates under the business name of Lake, Land and Sea and is believed to be driving a 2006 Silver Toyota Highlander, North Carolina License Plate number YYT-8074.  It is also believed, that the vehicle may have a South Carolina Registration Plate on it at times.

The vehicle may also be pulling a trailer specifically designed to haul hot tubs. Waters is believed to live in the southern Iredell County or Northern Mecklenburg area.  If you see Waters, please contact your local Law Enforcement agency as well as Iredell County Crime Stoppers at 704-662-1340.

Copyright 2012 WBTV. All rights reserved.
Read More: http://statesville.wbtv.com/news/crime/70933-deputies-looking-man-wanted-craigslist-scam

Top 5 Waterproof MP3 Players that fit your budget

Technology is pretty amazing, isn’t it?  Every day technology is advancing into realms that are truly beyond our imagination, bringing new opportunities to us, and adding a new dimension to our lives.  The hot tub industry can definitely boast some extremely efficient, brilliant and mind boggling advances in technology, where teams work around the clock to update, improve and expand on the current products available.

Today, I want to highlight the brilliance of waterproof MP3 players.  I was bought one of these last year, as I’m an avid swimmer.  There’s nothing better than listening to music whilst working out, so why not add a soundtrack to your swim?  As a range of hot tubs offer incredible sound systems, some people are a bit wary of bringing their treasured iPods or other MP3 devices close to the waters of the hot tub, just in case it plunges into the depths of the swirling waters, and you lose everything.  I’m the same, my iPod is extremely valuable to me, and I absolutely love listening to music whilst relaxing, but I find myself substituting taking advantage of the sound system hooked up to the hot tub to listen to the urban soundscape as I’m terrified of dropping my beloved iPod into the waters.

I have a solution for all you music lovers, and that’s investing in a waterproof MP3 players that’s designed for high water use, so you can hold it under water the entire length of your stay in the hot tub and it will still be intact.  How revolutionary is this?  What’s sad is that not many people associate the two things together as the MP3 players are marketed for the athletic swimmers, but I think this would be an essential piece of kit for all you hot tub lovers who adores music (and who doesn’t love a bit of music, whether its hard rock, sugary pop or classical anthems to accompany a truly delightful soak in the tub?)

Another barrier I’m sure you put up is the cost.  Waterproof equipment sounds like you have to spend a small fortune in order to purchase such advanced equipment.  Well… you don’t.  I’ve taken the liberty of collecting the top 5 MP3 players that I believe are extremely brilliant value for money below.

For more information, click on the links above to be taken to the official website of the products, or get in touch with us here at Arctic Spas Cymru.

Hot tubs in the news – Issue 1

Last week, I brought you all some interesting tid bits about hot tubs in the celebrity world, as we all know, they seem to go crazy for them!  So, I thought: “why not collect an interesting bunch of articles about hot tubs that appear in the news”.  When I scrolled through what was on offer, I remembered how the media likes to add a seedy tag to hot tubs, especially when it comes to celebrities.  This is rather unfortunate, as we know the truth about the vast amount of benefits a hot tub can bring to everyone’s lifestyle.  It really can be life changing.

However, when people are living their lives in the fast lane, always in the public eye, and are known for their ‘private’ lifestyle, as well as their singing/acting/writing careers, it’s safe to say that the media will jump on any story, and drag the good name of decent hot tubbing through the mud, as well as the name of the said celebrity.

I’ve taken the opportunity to collect a few examples of some of the stories that have been in the news this week.  Take a look for yourselves at how the media absolutely LOVES hot tubs, and so they should, who wouldn’t!

Britney Spears’ ex-handler keen to release tell-all book

Read the Daily Telegraph’s account of how Fernando Flores is considering writing a ‘tell all’ book all about his life when it was intertwined with Britney’s.  Some of the things he might include are some questioning actions that took place in the hot tub… (see what we mean about media loves seedy hot tub stories).  Click here to read the full article.

Denise Welch reveals too much

Why not take a look at the Daily Mail’s account of hot tub promiscuity at the Big Brother House.  Channel 5’s new Celebrity Big Brother House has a hot tub installed, and with the cheeky selection of celebrities they’ve thrown together in an enclosed environment, I think they were hoping for some eyebrow raising fun in the tub.  Denise Welch’s activities have been recorded by the Daily Mail, read the full article here.

So, we believe there should be nicer articles out there about the benefits of hot tubs, not the crazy actions of celebrities.  Hopefully with the Olympics coming up this summer, more and more athletes will have hot tubs as part of their training programmes.  We already know that British Gold Medal hopeful Mo Farrah uses one for his training (and hopefully relaxation too).  We’ll keep you up to date with all the latest!

Hot Tubs and Celebrities – Match Made in Media Heaven

It’s safe to say that celebworld is filled with antics and stories about hot tubs, be them good, bad, funny or promiscuous.  Everywhere you turn there’s a hot tub involved in one way or another, which, in my opinion, is brilliant.  Some of the biggest stars are installing hot tubs at their properties due to the amazing lifestyle and social benefits hot tub ownership has to offer.

Celebrities from all avenues of the glitzy and fast paced celebdom are investing in the soothing, balmy waters a good hot tub can offer in order to distress, whether they are a sports personality like Mo Farah, the British Olympic long distance runner (who also uses his tub for training purposes), to pop stars such as Peter Andre.  Hot tubs are popping up all over TV too, with Hollyoaks and the celebrity Big Brother house installing them for story purposes. The prveious I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here jungle king even made an appearance in the latest show, and brought a hot tub with him to add some luxury to the jungle inhabitents!

With such a vast range of advantages that come with hot tubs, whether you’re in need of something to help you relax, or you’d like to host more gatherings at your home that’s different to sitting having dinner or a standard party, it’s no wonder that people across the UK are going crazy for hot tubs.  However, it’s nice to see that people aren’t taking it too seriously, and people are having fun with hot tubs, which is definitely an important part of the hot tub experience.

Take a look at the Eddie Murphy spoof of James Brown singing a song, all about hot tubs! When I listened to it earlier I thought it was absolutely brilliant, and also, the musicianship and Eddie’s approach to James Brown as purely excellent.   I would definitely love to attend this hot tub party, especially with a full band playing alongside!

Eddie Murphy James Brown Hot Tub Party

Another example of hot tub fun and games is the Hollywood blockbuster, Hot Tub Time Machine, where a group of men are transported into some hilarious situations back in 1986!  Just the whole concept is utterly comical and entertaining, and with big names such as John Cusack and Crispin Glover casted, there’s no reason not to watch!

Hot Tub Time Machine Trailer

Some advice for 2012, get some more fun back into hot tubbing – the celebs do it in style, so should you!

The benefits of a hot tub for sports men and women

Pro and amateur athletes across the globe invest in a variety of different training and rehabilitation methods in order to excel in their chosen sport. An important aspect of training is rehabilitation, and ensuring muscle longevity to avoid injury and strain. There’s nothing worse for an athlete in the middle of training for a big event or game when they injure themselves and having to suffer the agonising pain and torment of being unable to train for weeks. One of the best ways to overcome this issue and speed up the recovery process is hydrotherapy.

How do I know all this? Well, I’m an avid hockey player, playing in goal for Ardudwy Hockey Club, who play in the North Wales Hockey League, and I’ve played for 3 years at university too. Also, what makes me special is the fact I’ve worked at Arctic Spas Cymru, North Wales’ hot tub specialists based in Bangor. I’ve been a part of the business from the very beginning with it being a family run company who focus on bringing the luxurious yet affordable hot tub lifestyle to the good people of North Wales. After a hard game, throwing myself across the field defending our net, there’s nothing better than to relieve the chill that’s settled in my bones than sinking into the warm, balmy waters of a hot tub.

While hot water immersion therapy is centuries old, our understanding of its benefits continues to expand. Immersion in warm water dilates our blood vessels, dramatically increasing blood flow to our tissues. This remarkable process forms the basis for many of the benefits of time spent in a hot tub. As circulation increases, so does the healing effects that are a result of cell repair and replacement. Additionally, the likelihood of having deeper and less interrupted sleeping cycles (which has been related to the flow of blood back to the core from the extremities) allows extended periods for this healing to effectively occur.

Pain Relief

The buoyancy provided by water offers a great relief to those who suffer from chronic or injury-related skeletal discomfort. Chronic back pain canbe relieved by removing the full load of gravity from the spinal column while immersed in warm water and increases activation of “feel goof” neurotransmitters. This effect can be magnified by the massaging action of water jets and by ergonomic seating.

Natural Detoxification

Let’s face it – hot tubs are hot. As our bodies attempt to maintain a steady internal temperature, our natural coolant, perspiration, flushes out many of the toxins and other undesirable compounds that we accumulate. In the face of an increasingly sedentary lifestyle, natural detoxification is at a premium.

Relaxation

Science aside, the more important benefit of time in a hot tub is the state of relaxation that’s a part of every soak. In a world that heaps stress on us all, a hot tub is respite from the storm. We can recharge our mental batteries, and emerge from the water rejuvenated.

Why not take a look at the below video of one of our Jacuzzi colleagues discussing the benefits of having a personal hot tub at home for a sportsmen and women.

Jacuzzi Sports

For more information, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us at www.arcticspas-cymru.com

Yes you can! – Top 10 Hot Tub Myth Busters

As the hot tub industry is still a rather new concept, naturally people form ideas about it without really knowing the facts.  Unfortunately, people build barriers as they are unsure of something and dismiss hot tub ownership for a variety of reasons.  Below we have outlined the top 10 myths that are created around hot tubbing and then read some myth busting facts.

1.    They cost a fortune—they’re only for rich celebs.

Our spas start from only £4,495! We have a range of hot tubs to suit all needs and budgets.

2.    Hot tubs are too complicated, all the extra plumbing and electrical work, plus you need a concrete pad.

Many of our spas only need a level surface and can go straight on your lawn. There’s no plumbing and many come with a 13amp option, so even the electrics are simple.

3.    They’re okay for summer but you have to winterise them.

A properly insulated spa is for year round use of your garden, they’re fantastic anytime.

4.    We won’t get one into our garden!

Spas can be craned into position if necessary, at a reasonable cost. We do a free site survey and help plan it all.

5.    They’re too difficult to look after.

Water care is straightforward, and we give you  instructions on how to look after your spa.

6.    They’re bad for the environment.

A properly insulated spa should be energy efficient and our cedar spas are made from renewable managed woodlands.

7.    I couldn’t use a hot tub with my condition.

Many medical conditions benefit hugely from hydrotherapy in your own spa e.g. Arthritis, Diabetes, Stress, Insomnia, High blood pressure and muscular aches and pains to name just a few.

8.    You can’t get anyone to fix them if they go wrong.

That’s why it’s so important to buy from a local dealer with technically trained staff on hand.

9.    They cost a fortune to run. Again its all down to proper insulation.

Arctic and Coyote Spas use a perimeter Heatlock® system to reduce energy costs and even recycle waste heat from the pumps back into your spa water.

10.    I’m convinced, and I can get a really cheap one on-line!

Be careful, according to Whatspa.com “The last 18 months has unfortunately seen an influx of internet hot tub traders who are setting up websites and importing spuriously manufactured hot tubs from the Far East. This has led to an influx of hot tub horror stories from internet buyers who in some cases have been sold non-CE compliant hot tubs from the Far East which at best are unserviceable and at worst are dangerous”… “You may end up with a sub-standard tub or, worse still, nothing at all to show for your outlay”

Make the most of your garden this winter

Us Brits absolutely adore our gardens, don’t we?  For some of us who are green fingered, there’s nothing better than pottering around the garden, preening gorgeous flower beds and plants and ensuring our turf looks its best.  As a nation, we’re proud of our beautiful surroundings, and if we’re not fortunate to live around natural beauty, such as in the country sides, we urbanites like to make sure our little patch of green is looked after.

Now the winter is creeping in with its icy claws and a carpet of golden leaves blankets over our gardens symbolising the end of ideal gardening weather and the time for the budding gardener to retreat until the ice melts and the birds start chirping again next spring.  I absolutely adore this time of year, its perfect woolly wearing weather, accompanied by copious amounts of cups of tea and a roaring fire, don’t you agree?  The only sad thing about it is that we can’t enjoy our garden during a chunk of the year because, well, it’s just too cold.

Well, have you ever considered adding the ultimate accessory to your garden to allow you to spend more time in the garden you’ve invested a lot of money and time in over the past year.  I believe that you should enjoy your garden, whatever the weather, and I’ll let you in on a secret on how to do just this.  According to seered.co.uk, we spend an average of £200 a year on our gardens, which when you think about it, is quite a lot of pennies!  So, what is this ultimate accessory, I hear you ask yourself?  Well, its owning a gorgeous hot tub, of course.

Owning a hot tub is still a relatively new concept here in the UK, but they are an excellent addition to your stunning garden because they let you use your garden all year round.  Most people think that they should turn the hot tub off over the winter, pull on the cover, and forget about it until warmer breezes graces our shores again, but I’m going to prove to you that hot tubs are best in the winter.  Let me paint you a picture:

The snow is gently falling outside, and the soft grey clouds don’t appear to be going anywhere quickly.  The sun is hovering low over the horizon and you have a few friends and family coming over to spend the evening with you.  The hot tub is slowly heating up to a toasty temperature, and the wine is chilling in the fridge.  The sensation of being all warm and cosy in the hot tub whilst the snow settles sweetly around your garden is absolutely incredible.

Why not try it out for yourself?  There are a plethora of absolutely incredible hot tub companies out there who are more than willing to offer all the information you need.  Also, if you’re worried about the hot tubs being aesthetically pleasing, well you’ll be glad to know that hot tubs that are sold in the UK are beautifully crafted, and there’s an array of styles, sizes and colours for you to choose from, as well a hot tub to fit any budget.

For more information, why not visit www.arcticspas-cymru.com?

Don’t let frost bite this winter! Make sure you winterise your spa

There’s nothing better than relaxing in a warm, luxurious hot tub whilst Jack Frost has come to visit.  With the snow nestled on the ground, the temperature has taken a turn towards the minus, why would you want to sit indoor and not enjoy the stunning experience the hot tub can offer you?  Not in very many places can you enjoy the fragility of snowflakes gently landing in your drink, whilst enjoying relaxing music and you’re sat with your nearest and dearest in the dead of winter, outside.

However, some people want to wave goodbye until the summer rays are softly carried by the spring breeze and the Easter rabbits have come and gone for another year before they get back into their tub.  Ensuring that your hot tub is well protected over the winter isn’t as easy as popping the cover on and draining the tub for the harsh winter climate.

If you don’t take care to winterize your hot tub properly, the follow can cause serious harm down the line:

  • Damage your pumps
  • Fractured pluming
  • Damage to shell in worst cases
  • Stagnant Water

Maybe you’re thinking “oh, winter over here isn’t too bad”, but do you remember the snow we had last year?  Take a look at the following news post from Metro.com and it’ll explain what we should expect in the next few months.   Don’t risk it this winter and leave it to chance to see if your tub will survive.  I’d like to say that every hot tub out there is durable enough to weather the chilly winter months, but unfortunately, we both know this isn’t the case.

To find out more on how we can help protect and maintain your hot tub, and essentially save you stress, time and money next spring, give us a call or email today.

The mechanics behind your hot tub dealer

When we’ve got an issue with a car, we know that the first place we go to is the trusty garage down the road. We build a relationship with them, know the mechanics on a first name basis whilst we leave our reliable A-to-B machine in their greasy yet capable hands. If something goes wrong and we need a new part, we pick up the phone and get a quote. When that time of the year looms and those three letters are scrawled on our calenders, M O T, we book our vehicle in for a health check, and get it certified for another year.

Your local hot tub dealer works pretty much in the same way. Here’s a list of reasons why you should be on first name terms with your hot tub dealer.

Buying your hot tub

I know, you don’t usually buy cars from a garage, but a lot of the time, you do get second hand cars on show for sale at some garages. This is no different for hot tub dealers. Second hand hot tubs are always for sale, and are perfect for the person who’s interested in trying the hot tub experience before investing in a top of the range tub, or to a family who’s dream is to own a hot tub, but their budget just can’t stretch far enough to buy a brand spanking new spa. Therefore, hallelujah to the second hand hot tub!

However, what I don’t understand is this. A swish car drives past the showroom and parks up, the customer enters the showroom, and explains that they would like to know more about the cheapest tub that we offer, even second hand ones. If you’re driving a brand new, top of the range car, and you want the best for your family, why decide to put the cheapest hot tub going in your beautiful family home? It fathoms me, I tell you.

Here at Arctic Spas Cymru, we are committed to guiding you towards your perfect tub, whatever your needs, desires and budget.

Maintenance and Repairs

Now, this is more like a garage. This is where all the fixing happens. Just like your car, your hot tub might need some TLC to ensure that it runs effectively and efficiently. A hot tub technician is exactly like a mechanic, qualified and trained in hot tub maintenance, savvy with parts and happy to help. The only difference is, we come to you! It’s good to build a rapport with the local dealer in order to ensure that you get an excellent service, great deals and also, the guys who sold you your brand new tub, knows them inside out, literally. It’s important to think about this when you buy a hot tub, because just like a car, a part or two could need replacing or be repaired, and if you’ve bought your hot tub online, they won’t come and help you. So, that excitement of a quick and easy saving of £2,000 suddenly drains away, leaving you feeling abandoned and alone. Make sure you protect yourself from the cowboys and buy locally and intelligently.

Parts

Getting parts for your hot tub could be as smooth as peanut butter on toast. Exactly like a garage, your local hot tub dealer will not only source the part for you, but will offer you the service of getting it delivered and installing it for you too. Perfect. You might be extraordinarily lucky and end up buying a hot tub with a great warranty on it, just like our Arctic Spas and Coyote range, and parts will be covered for a period of time. However, if you don’t have warranty or it runs out, and you need some new jets, then the friendly hot tub dealer will be more than happy to help you in your endeavour of keeping your hot tub in excellent condition, and making sure you are getting the most enjoyment out of it as possible.

So, there you have it, the mechanics of your hot tub dealership, in three, quick points.

20 questions to ask your hot tub retailer

Welcome back to your favourite hot tub blog. We understand that going into a hot tub showroom can seem a little daunting as the hot tub lifestyle is a relatively new concept here in the UK. However, here at Arctic Spas Cymru, we’ve compiled a list of 20 questions for you to ask your hot tub retailer in order to make an informed decision on your new investment.

There’s nothing worse than a salesman talking at you about how amazing their product is and you feel a bit under prepared and overwhelmed. Take a look at the list below and try and memorise some of the questions so you can have an actual conversation with your hot tub retailer.

Now that you’re armed with your questions, you can feel confident that you’re investing in the right hot tub for you and your family. Here at Arctic Spas Cymru, we revel in your excitement, and we like to help guide you towards the perfect hot tub and help you along every step of the way.

Arctic Spas Technician

  1. Are you fully trained in water care management?
  2. Do you need a concrete pad to sit your spa on? If so, why?
  3. Is the shell self supporting? If not how is it supported?
  4. How long has your manufacturer/supplier been trading?
  5. Do you have a local trained service engineer?
  6. Which is your best selling model and why?
  7. Are your spas fitted with ozonators?
  8. How big are the filters? How many and if more than one, are they necessary or just a way to sell more filters?
  9. How good is the hydrotherapy massage?
  10. What are the estimated running costs for the spa including electricity, water care and filters?
  11. Do you conduct a free, no obligation site survey?
  12. Can you recommend a fully trained Part P qualified electrician?
  13. Will you train us on how to use and look after the spa?
  14. Do you offer regular training programmes on water management?
  15. Have you got access to a water testing service?
  16. How is the spa insulated? If foam filled, how do you access all parts of the spa for repairs should there ever be a leak underneath?
  17. Does the warranty cover parts and labour? For how long? How long is the warranty on the various components? (Shell, surface, equipment, electronics etc)
  18. Is the warranty cover pro rata or new for old at no cost to the owner?
  19. What is not covered by the warranty?
  20. Can I see a printed copy of your warranty document?