Hi all, real new to the pool game and looking to select our PB over the next week or 2. We know for sure we do not want a diving board, our original thought was 3' - 6' which allows a larger low end do to the pitch. A friend has that and it seems to work out nicely. Then reading bits and pieces on this site I am starting to second guess that. One thing I read was that 6' is too shallow to dive and too deep for most to stand so it isn't used as much and that if it was 5' deep it could get more use. We don't have real little ones (9 & 13) but they like to go to the bottom of pools and find those water ring type games. They also like to do basic cannonball type jumps off the side, thinking 5' vs 6' isn't really going to impact that. We are looking at a free form liner pool and possibly a smaller tanning ledge (big maybe). I'd love to hear real experiences from folks who have pools at all depths as growing up it was always like 3'-8' was just the standard and 99% of the ones I grew up in. So, any reason a 3' - 5' is bad, a 3'-6' is bad or smart, good, great, etc. - thanks in advance for any insight!
Looking for depth thoughts and opinions
- Thread starter glenpod
- Start date
Most of the “play pools” or “sport pools” in my area run a 4-5-4 depth. It all comes down to what you want to use/need it for.
I for one like the 4-5-4 pools, as it’s easy for people to stand around and drink in the pool, as well as playing volleyball or badminton.
I for one like the 4-5-4 pools, as it’s easy for people to stand around and drink in the pool, as well as playing volleyball or badminton.
First of all.....3' is ridiculously shallow. I'd go 4' at least, especially since you're talking about having a shallow tanning ledge. Small kids love to hang out on stairs and tanning ledges and shallow areas. But they also like to float on any depth that they can when using tubes, noodles and floating pads.
You can't easily swim in to a 3' section without scraping knuckles, so your actual swim space will be more limited.
Kids do like to swim in the water and go down underneath... lets encourage them to swim and exercise and be active rather than just "pool potatoes" like most of us adults are wont to be
Just my opinionated two cents
Maddie
You can't easily swim in to a 3' section without scraping knuckles, so your actual swim space will be more limited.
Kids do like to swim in the water and go down underneath... lets encourage them to swim and exercise and be active rather than just "pool potatoes" like most of us adults are wont to be
Just my opinionated two cents
Maddie
Thanks Rob, I never heard of a sports pool until this forum so obviously never given it much thought but the more I am reading here it seems like I should be considering it. Our pool will primarily be a hangout, standing around or using noodles to float around while having some drinks. The kids will be floating around, playing sharks and minnows, searching for rings at the bottom of the pool, doing some cannonball jumps and floating on pool rafts. I do think if I put up a volleyball net they'd love it and a 3'-6' really doesn't accommodate that. Just more to think about, the pile of things to think about keeps increasing . Looking forward to more thoughts on the topic - thanks
. Looking forward to more thoughts on the topic - thanks
This is what a freeform playpool looks like. (It’s mine) 4-5-4, with sleeves in the decking for the net, and more sleeves around for umbrellas. Also, over by the stairs on the right, is a basketball hoop sleeve in the decking. My pool is only 11k gallons, but you can always go bigger.
Our deep end is at least 8', and gets used all the time. We swim laps daily during pool season. Even as a child I liked a deep end to dive down for things. 5' is nowhere near deep enough for my liking.
PS - 3' is too shallow. Our shallow end is about 4', and even then you have to be more "careful" on that side of the pool when swimming laps. Can't do good kicks or full arm strokes. Especially if the water is down an inch or two.
PS - 3' is too shallow. Our shallow end is about 4', and even then you have to be more "careful" on that side of the pool when swimming laps. Can't do good kicks or full arm strokes. Especially if the water is down an inch or two.
First of all.....3' is ridiculously shallow. I'd go 4' at least, especially since you're talking about having a shallow tanning ledge. Small kids love to hang out on stairs and tanning ledges and shallow areas. But they also like to float on any depth that they can when using tubes, noodles and floating pads.
You can't easily swim in to a 3' section without scraping knuckles, so your actual swim space will be more limited.
Kids do like to swim in the water and go down underneath... lets encourage them to swim and exercise and be active rather than just "pool potatoes" like most of us adults are wont to be
Just my opinionated two cents
Maddie
I agree with absolutely everything you just wrote.
We bought a house with an older sport pool, and it works well for our use/family. It's roughly 3.5'-5.8'-4', L shaped with a Baja shelf on the short part of the L. I think I might have chosen a design with a deep end had I been designing a pool for myself, but now that we've been using the sports pool for a while I've come to like and appreciate it. It's great for pool parties and games like volleyball. There's no diving, but at close to 6' in the middle it's deep enough for the kids to cannonball or swim down to pick up dive toys.
As others have mentioned, 3' is too short. I think 3.5' water depth is the minimum for any area intended for anything resembling swimming.
As others have mentioned, 3' is too short. I think 3.5' water depth is the minimum for any area intended for anything resembling swimming.
The others have you covered with the depth. I wanted to share a awesome pool gave with you! Watermelon ball! Here is a link: About | Watermelon Ball - The Ultimate Swimming Pool Game SO FUN!!!
Kim
Kim