For 30 years, Water Odyssey has been helping transform water into something more. From imaginative spray features and themed aquatic play to custom attractions and advanced carving technology, Water Odyssey has continued to evolve alongside the industry while staying true to one simple idea: aquatic play should inspire imagination, encourage interaction, and create memorable experiences.
In 1996, Water Odyssey began its journey as an aquatic playground equipment line under Fountain People. What started as an offering focused on quality aquatic play components would grow into one of the major aquatic play brands in the United States, with Water Odyssey projects eventually reaching communities around the world, including Australia, Canada, China, the Middle East, and the United Kingdom.
Three decades later, that spirit of creativity and innovation continues to shape what Water Odyssey brings to aquatic spaces.
Water Odyssey was established as a division of Fountain People with a goal of providing the market with high-quality aquatic playground equipment.
As the line continued to grow, so did its identity. Water Odyssey began developing a reputation for aquatic play products that brought together water, movement, and imaginative experiences, laying the foundation for what would become a globally recognized brand.
By 2004, the brand had evolved into a comprehensive catalog of fountain components, expanding its offerings and strengthening its place within the aquatic recreation industry.
This evolution gave Water Odyssey the opportunity to serve a wider range of projects while continuing to develop products designed around interaction, creativity, and the power of water.
As aquatic theming became increasingly popular, Water Odyssey found a new way to bring imagination into aquatic play.
In 2006, Fun Forms® Themed-Aquatic Play Components were introduced, allowing spray features to take on recognizable characters, animals, and themes. Some of the early Fun Forms® include Devin Dolphin, Carl Clownfish, Kirby Crab, Lindsey Ladybug, and Baby Bee.
But the creativity didn't stop with the catalog. Water Odyssey also began creating custom colors, themes, and feature concepts to help bring individual project visions to life. Many of these ideas originated with the internal team, while inspiration came from just about everywhere. Ocean-themed features became especially popular, along with themes inspired by automobiles and aviation. Fun Forms® helped demonstrate that aquatic play could be both interactive and imaginative, giving children more ways to engage with their surroundings and turning water features into part of the story.
As demand for themed aquatic environments continued to grow, Fountain People introduced Fun Formations Themed Attractions in 2010.
Fun Formations expanded the possibilities of aquatic theming through GFRC (Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete). Unlike the foam-based Fun Forms® line, GFRC offered a more natural appearance and opened the door to larger-scale, highly detailed themed environments and experiences in aquatic spaces.
By 2016, Water Odyssey had continued to expand its identity and offerings. The brand received a refreshed look, complete with a new website and catalog designed to showcase its growing portfolio of aquatic play products.
This new chapter also introduced SAM, adding another element to the story and reflecting the brand's continued focus on creativity, character, and innovation.
Innovation took another leap forward in 2020 with the introduction of B.A.R.T., a multi-axis robotic arm equipped with specialized carving attachments.
Fully implemented in the Fall of 2020, B.A.R.T. revolutionized Water Odyssey's foam carving capabilities. The technology made it possible to create 3D models and send them directly to the robot for carving, significantly reducing programming time and expanding what could be achieved through the process.
Before B.A.R.T., creating these detailed features was a hands-on process. A team of coating and painting specialists worked through each piece individually, with features being carved, coated, molded, and painted by hand.
B.A.R.T. didn't replace the creativity behind the work; it gave it a new tool.
With advanced technology supporting the process, Water Odyssey gained greater flexibility and streamlined efficiency while continuing to create the detailed, imaginative features that have become part of its identity.
From a small aquatic playground equipment line established in '96 to a brand recognized for imaginative aquatic play, themed attractions, and innovative manufacturing capabilities, Water Odyssey's story has always been about evolution.
The industry has changed. Technology has changed. The ways people experience aquatic spaces have changed. And Water Odyssey has continued to change with them.
Through Fun Forms®, Fun Formations, custom theming, and innovations like B.A.R.T., the brand has continued to find new ways to turn ideas into experiences and water into a catalyst for play.
As Water Odyssey celebrates 30 years, we look back at the people, ideas, technology, and creativity that helped shape the journey and look forward to what's next.
Thirty years down. The next chapter is just getting started!