Swimming pool technology

Although round about 40 years old, swimming pool technology represents the youngest Köster range of products. Its introduction was brought about by a visit of Friedrich Köster to a bathing establishment (as it was known in those days) on one of the North Sea islands at the beginning of the sixties. The pool was already equipped at that time with a wave producing machine.

As an expert on steel water construction, two things were quickly noticeable to the engineer Friedrich Köster: firstly the material used for the wave wings - in this case timber planks - and secondly, the wave chambers, which viewed hydraulically, were of extremely unfavourable design, literally destroyed energy when the wings swung back. It immediately became clear to him that the mechanicals and hydraulics must be made of steel, stainless steel and castings to ensure long service life. Furthermore, efficiency would be considerably enhanced by revising the geometry of the wave chambers. Being an entrepreneur, Friedrich Köster decided to further develop, manufacture and sell wave machines at his own plant (some topical notes on the planning of pneumatic wave generation and wave guidance - compiled since then - are available).

Today, KÖSTER Swimming Pool Technology manufactures various products for use in swimming pools:  waves can be generated using a highly efficient pivoting wing machine or a cheaper pneumatically operated machine.

A number of moveable parts for swimming pools have been added in the meantime: a pneumatically operated lifting floor controls the water depth of a pool, or section of a pool, to cater for user needs. The optimum water depth is adjusted at the push of a button to accommodate things like aqua gymnastics, swimming lessons and physiotherapy etc.. The pneumatic lifting floor needs hardly any preparatory work on site, can be installed at various structure levels and is unique as far as its hygienic properties are concerned ( vertical water flow, no hydraulic dead zones underneath the floor ).

A pneumatic partition divides a pool into two in the space of just a few minutes. The same applies to a pneumatic hinged partition which, however, is not lowered into a deep slot but is merely located in a recess at the bottom of the pool when not in use. Both units always divide the pool at the same spot. The pneumatic start and turn bridge also cross divides a rectangular pool but, in contrast to the first two items, can be pushed along the pool in the longitudinal direction. Since it is not lowered but simply rests on steps, it only takes up a small section of the pool.

All pneumatically operated units are highlighted by being moved in water, either by uplift power or through the pressure generated by atmospheric air. In other words, no moveable machine components of any kind, such as shafts, spindles, gears etc., are required under water.

We are only too pleased to show you pictures and detailed explanations of current reference products such as, for example, the wave machines at Ruhpolding and Kamen, the hinged partition at Mühlhausen or the lifting floor at Bruneck. We not only repair and service our products but also those of other manufacturers. A specimen maintenance contract is available for downloading.


Dr. Bendzuck (dr.bendzuck@koester-heide.de) is constantly at your disposal to answer any questions you may have. We will also be happy to send you brochures and other literature. Please write and ask for same on info@koester-heide.de.