Swim spa users often find removing their swim spa cover to be a cumbersome task. New Zealand-based Vortex Leisure, the mastermind behind Spa World and Vortex Spas, has come up with a revolutionary solution — the ClearLift automatic cover lifter.
Existing cover lifter options are known to have various drawbacks such as being clunky, manual, view-blocking, nonaesthetic or expensive. ClearLift was specifically developed to address these challenges and make swim spas more accessible by eliminating the pain point associated with the removal of heavy, awkward covers.
Affordability and User-Friendly Design
ClearLift not only boasts a user-friendly design but also tackles the affordability challenge. According to Andrew Pullen, managing director of Vortex Leisure, similar lifters often cost more than 50% of the swim spa’s price, but ClearLift’s pricing hovers around 15%, achieving one of Vortex’s main goals — making this innovation accessible to a broader audience.
The key to ClearLift’s advantages lies in its fully automated and mechanical operation. Users simply turn a key to initiate the lifting process. This automation ensures that the cover folds off the back of the spa, positioning itself flush with the edge. This feature not only enhances the aesthetic appeal but also ensures an unobstructed view and easy access from three sides.
Security and Longevity Benefits
The turn-key feature not only keeps the cover securely closed but also prevents unauthorized access, offering peace of mind to spa owners. “If you’re worried about the kids getting in there when you’re not around or the neighbors hopping the fence and using it, then that’s a great security feature,” Pullen says.
ClearLift’s benefits extend beyond convenience and security. During testing, an unanticipated perk emerged — covers last longer when using ClearLift. A cover being manually removed and moved can cause wear and tear. It only takes a pinprick-sized hole for water to start soaking into the polystyrene, making the cover even harder to remove and replace.
“Because the ClearLift captures each end of the cover, there’s no chance of that cover skin getting damaged,” Pullen says. “It sets it up off the ground so it can’t be dragged around.”
Proven Performance and Global Expansion
Vortex Spas, a pioneer in the spa industry since 2009, began working on ClearLift five years ago. Adam Fisher, director of product development for Vortex Spas recounts the extensive testing and development process, stating that a single ClearLift has been operated more than 6,000 times without failure. The lifter, constructed with steel, aluminum and billet foam insulation, is designed to withstand varying climates.
Currently available on Vortex swim spas through Spa World in Australia and New Zealand, ClearLift’s success has prompted plans for a global rollout. As part of the Jacuzzi Group, ClearLift will be introduced worldwide on a broader range of Jacuzzi Group swim spa products over the next year. Fisher expresses delight in customer feedback, stating, “They love this product and how much easier it has made owning and using a swim spa.”
See the ClearLift automatic cover lifter in action here.