Abstract: A spa assembly includes a base pan; a frame assembly; and a spa shell supported on the base pan and the frame assembly. The spa shell includes a bottom and at least one side defining an open internal volume, an interior surface oriented toward the open internal volume, an opposing exterior surface, and a rim surrounding the at least one side, the rim defining an internal cavity. The exterior surface of the bottom of the spa shell has a foam material applied thereon. The foam material applied to the bottom of the spa shell and the base pan comprise corresponding interlocking features that align the spa shell within the base pan. The internal cavity of the rim has the foam material applied thereto. The foam material in the rim has a groove formed therein, the groove being configured to receive the frame assembly.

Abstract: A spa can include one or more variable features or functions that can be controlled by a user using a gesture recognition sensor. The gesture recognition sensor can be located proximate to the spa and optionally out of the normal range of motion of a user in a basin of the spa. Predetermined gestures detected by gesture recognition sensor can be interpreted as a command to alter a predetermined feature or function of the spa. Also disclosed is a method of controlling one or more variable features or functions of the spa using the gesture recognition sensor.