Pool Patrol Visits Barcelona for International Pool Cover Insights

Curious about how Europe approaches automatic pool safety covers compared to North America? Pool Patrol was!

After a factory stop in Belgium and then the Piscina Barcelona: Pool Wellness Outdoor trade show, Allan Horwood, Owner and CEO of Pool Patrol, returned with inspiration and ideas to improve installations, education, and service here at home. 

“The whole point was to try to go there to expand our knowledge of the industry. When you work with Pool Patrol, you are dealing with people on the cutting edge who try to provide the best products and the best techniques.”
— Allan Horwood, Owner and CEO

"I was there for 1 hour, and I knew it was something different; all of their pool equipment looked like pieces of art.”
— Allan Horwood, Owner and CEO

Why Piscina Barcelona Matters for Pool Covers

Piscina Barcelona, held at Fira Barcelona Gran Via, concluded its 2025 edition after four days with more than 17,000 professional attendees, representing a 20 percent increase from two years ago. The show featured 428 exhibitors from 30 countries, with 70 percent of exhibitors and 60 percent of visitors coming from abroad. Programming included more than 30 sessions on sustainability, digital transformation, and market growth, plus the Outdoor and Wellness Experience showroom, the Pool Horizons Summit, and sector awards that highlighted innovation across the industry.

At the show, Allan got to explore new high-tech automation, premium finishes, and refined control systems that could shape how we specify and service an automatic pool safety cover.

The pool covers and equipment industry in Europe is fun, collaborative, high-tech, and innovative. 

What Europe Understands About Pool Covers & Equipment

Across high-end booths at the Spanish event, the emphasis was on precision, safety, and lifecycle performance. For homeowners comparing an automatic pool safety cover with a manual pool safety cover, the lesson is simple: there’s more than one right way to put a cover on a swimming pool, and it pays to be open to innovation.

“Europe, in many ways, is light-years ahead… next year the conference is in Lyon, France, and I am going. I am 100 percent going.”
— Allan Horwood, Owner and CEO

Manual Pool Safety Cover or Automatic?

• Manual pool safety cover
  Lower upfront cost, reliable, and effective for seasonal needs, including winter pool cover options.
  
  

• Automatic pool safety cover
  One button convenience for families who open and close daily. Supports heat retention and quick safety steps, ideal for in-ground pool covers and complex designs.
  

Lessons from Europe that Pool Patrol is Bringing Home to Canada

Allan’s interviews and conversations in Barcelona highlighted regional differences in codes, climate, and controls, as well as a refreshing culture of fun and collaboration.

Since Canadians are not seen as direct competitors to European automatic pool cover manufacturers, the cutting-edge companies at the show were happy to share their insights, prototypes, and lessons learned. Booths invested in serious demos, entertainment, refreshments, staffing and education. Their forward-thinking and friendly mindset helps every pool cover professional raise the bar.

“Just because it is different does not mean it is wrong; it is just different. You have to be open-minded to get the full picture… Pool Patrol wants to be on the cusp of this industry.”
— Allan Horwood, Owner and CEO

Allan walked away with a mind full of ideas and contacts that could shake up the Canadian automatic pool safety cover market.

Ready for the Best Pool Covers in BC?

If you are comparing pool cover companies near you or planning a new build, Pool Patrol is here to help. We stay on the cutting edge of this industry because we care about quality and the safety of our clients’ families. Reach out to discuss automatic pool safety cover options, timelines, and budget.

Book a free pool cover consult.

Pool Patrol helps homeowners protect, enjoy, and maintain their pools with expert covers and service. Reach out to our industry-leading experts to see how we can help today.