Swimming:
pool pump If you want to enjoy your children's pool as an endless pool for a long time, then a pool pump and maintenance products are indispensable. It also seems a bit more real with the chlorine smell ;). You have the standard cartridge filter pump that comes standard with many swimming pools. If you really want to be professional, a sand filter pump is a better choice. The better pool heaters can also be connected to this with lifeguard course.
Groundsheet and pool cover :
Finally, a pool ground sheet and pool cover are recommended. The tarpaulin in particular ensures that the heat is retained a bit better. The groundsheet ensures that you can enjoy your pool for longer. The chance of holes is smaller if you use a groundsheet. We ourselves have Intex rubber puzzle mats . Easy to attach and just a bit more comfortable for the floor (especially for the children).
Pool heating or wetsuit?
Depending on the period, the water in an above-ground pool is of comparable temperatures to the (shallow) outdoor water. That means that in April it is only around 15 degrees. To be able to swim there are actually two options. Whether you go for pool heating or a wetsuit.
Swimming pool heating:
A good swimming pool heating that can also compensate for the cold night temperatures quickly becomes expensive. The good heaters can only be connected to a sand filter pump and not to the standard cartridge filter pumps. This means that you must first purchase a sand filter pump and then the pool heating. For our Intext pool this came down to costs between 400 and 600 euros for good pool heating.
There are cheaper alternatives on the market, such as a solar bulb or solar mat. With good sun, these can heat an extra 2 to 4 degrees. You lose this again at night during these times. The number of hours of sunshine in the early and late season is actually still insufficient to be able to heat properly with Solar products.
Alternative – swimming with a wetsuit :
The alternative is to also swim in the above-ground pool with a wetsuit and slowly build up the time you swim. We have chosen this option ourselves.
I myself swim with an Arena wetsuit. A review about that suit can be found here: Review: Arena wetsuit
Resistance elastic:
In order to actually be able to swim in a small pool, you need a resistance elastic. The resistance ensures that you can continue to swim in the spot. There are two versions on the market for the resistance elastics. The first variant is fastened to your waist with a belt and the second variant works with ties at the ankles. I myself have swum with both variants. The main differences:
Variant 1: Around your waist
The first variant has a belt around your waist. An advantage is that your core is supported by the elastic. Decathlon sells, among other things, a swimming elastic for around your waist. An elastic around your waist can have the disadvantage that you hit the elastic with your leg stroke. Another disadvantage can be that your core is lifted too much by the elastic. This partly depends on how you tie it, preferably not too high. The higher the elastic is attached to the wall or a pole, the more it lifts you with lifeguard recertification usa.
Variant 2: Around your ankles
The variant around your ankles are two loose straps that you fasten around each ankle with Velcro. You can still just stand in the pool. The advantage of elastics around your ankle is that your core is not supported. Your entire location therefore depends on your own swimming qualities. It is important that you tie the elastic at 1 point in the middle so that it does not separate your legs.
Attachment point elastic:
We drove a stake into the ground ourselves and made a hook on it. We easily attach the elastic to the hook in the right size.
How does it really swim? Experiences
And then. How does it actually swim? I was a bit hesitant myself. How fun can it be? And can I really swim or is it mainly plodding?
To be honest, it's going much better than expected. A frontal snorkel is recommended. Because of the movements of the water in such a small pool you quickly get big waves. Also good for practice as an open water swimmer, but for comfort it swims just a little better with a snorkel.
Underwater shot We can't use legs in our pool, it generates too much splashes so we have to clean the windows too often and we lose too much water. We have therefore chosen to use our legs as little as possible. My wetsuit full of carbon keeps my legs nice and high in the water. Because of this I don't need a pull buoy and I can keep swimming nicely on my arms and keep my legs still. My husband does use a pull buoy.
The depth of our pool, 75cm is really the minimum depth you need. Both my husband and I can just swim without touching the bottom. If you do hit the bottom, your elbow should be higher. That is good for your awareness of your technique.
How do I make it fun: swimming with music
I myself have the Fines Swim Coach communicator. Actually intended for training, so that you can hear your trainer underwater. But you can also stream music from Spotify, for example, via Bluetooth. I myself swim to music, which makes it a lot less boring and monotonous. Because of course it secretly is. There is nothing to see, the bottom is close and you can't really change your pace.
Still, it is a good alternative to do some training in a period without a swimming pool or open water.
Have you also made a DIY endless pool of your above-ground swimming pool, please share your experiences as well.
Also read about: 5 TIPS FOR SWIMMING IN COLD WATER