Abstract: A swim-exercise apparatus includes a water containment vessel having a first area defining a swimming/bathing compartment for enabling a user to swim-in-place within the apparatus and a water propulsion system for generating a directed flow of water in the swimming/bathing compartment of the water containment vessel. The water propulsion system includes a water pump having a scroll-shaped blower housing and a centrifugal blower impeller rotatively disposed within the blower housing. The centrifugal blower impeller includes a plurality of arcuate-shaped blades positioned about a central axis of the centrifugal blower impeller, each of the blades having a convex-shaped water pressure surface. The water propulsion system further includes a motor for rotatively driving the centrifugal blower impeller.

Abstract: A spa shell for a spa includes a water holding compartment operative as a cold tub. The water holding compartment includes a floor wall, an equipment sidewall, and a floor connecting wall connecting the floor wall with the equipment sidewall. A non-slip laminate of thermally insulative material disposed on an exterior surface of each of the equipment sidewall and the floor connecting wall. A top deck wall extends from the water holding compartment toward an end of the spa shell. A non-slip laminate of thermally insulative material is disposed on an exterior surface of the top deck wall. The non-slip laminates of thermal insulative material thermally isolates the exterior surface of each of the equipment sidewall, the floor connecting wall, and the top deck wall. In some embodiments the spa shell further includes a second water holding compartment that is operative as a hot tub.