At Piscine Global 2026 in Lyon, BINDER will showcase its turbine for lazy rivers. The system is designed for hotels, campsites and leisure pools.
A lazy river is an artificial water channel with a current that carries bathers along. BINDER’s HydroStar PRO turbine is built into the channel wall. It releases water at an angle of 45 degrees to the wall. This directs the flow along the channel and creates a broad, even current.
Planning and installation
BINDER typically plans for one turbine every eight to ten metres. The final number and positions depend on the shape of the channel and the desired strength of the current. BINDER adapts the cover plate and outlet opening to suit each project.
Each turbine fits into a housing in the channel wall and connects to a control cabinet in a dry, well-ventilated room. The turbine moves water directly within the channel. This eliminates the pipework that would connect a separate pump to the intake and outlet. The turbines use water-lubricated bearings and can stay in their housings over winter.
Controls and energy use
The turbines allow the lazy river to run while other water attractions are in use. With a connection to the building automation system, operators can control each turbine individually. BINDER also offers a central controller that operates the turbines as a group.
BINDER reports that HydroStar PRO uses 50 to 80 percent less electricity than conventional pump systems. For each project, electricity costs depend on the number of turbines, their power demand and how long they run.
A lazy river at Hotel Alpenblume
At Hotel Alpenblume in Damüls, Austria, BINDER’s turbines generate the current in a lazy river connected to a 16 × 6 metre outdoor infinity pool. Pool builder Felder integrated a bench with air jets into the channel. The hotel heats the pool for use in both summer and winter.
Piscine Global takes place in Lyon from 17 to 20 November 2026. BINDER will exhibit in Hall 4 at stand 4J102.
