For the purposes of 680.22(B)(1) is the post considered as part of the luminaire? (2011 NEC)

IMHO, the 'post' is the support for the luminaire. The post height must place the luminaire at 12' above water.

The few that I have come upon used fiberglass/composite poles at 14', and on GFI circuit.

You should check with your local AHJ for his opinion.

I agree with John on this. The post is just a support for the luminaire. If it is metal it needs to be part of the bonding grid too.

Thanks Greg, I omitted the bonding on metallic posts.

Squeezing in posts between hectic times in the office.

We ended up moving one the lights. The original plans showed that we would have had over 5 feet but when the pool got dug and laid out somehow there was a foot missing, not our fault. They are post lamps mounted on top of a retaining wall so moving one was a lot of fun carving up the concrete blocks.