Any pool owner would agree that in terms of aesthetics and functionality, the only thing worse than a dirty pool is an empty poolside area. The ever-expanding pool accessories market, selling anything from wireless pool speakers to waterfall mountains and waterproof LED screens, is a testament to that.
Diving boards, in particular, are becoming increasingly popular as they add a punch of excitement to the pool in addition to enhancing the aesthetics. They, however, come with an added degree of risk, as poor installation and maintenance could endanger lives. That doesn’t mean you need an engineering degree to design your own diving board pool, though. If you follow the following tips, you can get it done in a day or two, maximum.
Does Depth Matter?
Obviously. See, a diving board catapults a diver into the air, where they are then ‘pressed’ downwards into the pool by all the combined forces of motion. If the pool is shallow, the diver might hit the hard floor and get injured, depending on how strong his dive is. To prevent such occurrences, ensure that your pool is at least 7.5 feet deep around the spot you intend to plug the board. Some manufacturers also specify the required depth depending on the nature and length of the board, so you also need to look out for that.
What Is The Best Pool Size for A Diving Board?
The size of the overall pool also matters when it comes to installing a diving board. Ideally, you should only consider getting a board when your pool measures at least 16 by 32 feet, as the board takes up a bit of space, and you still want to have enough free space for standard swimming. If you have enough space, you can expand the pool to an even larger size to maximize on convenience.
Additional Factors to Consider
The two most important factors when it comes to building a diving board are size and depth. Do not ignore the minimum length standards and also follow manufacturers’ directions to the latter. Other important factors to consider are the type and shape of the pool you and the kind of board you’re working with. One takeaway from that is; you probably shouldn’t think about getting a diving board if you have an aboveground pool as these are often quite shallow and can’t be deepened further. Secondly, while the shape of the pool doesn’t matter much, it still needs to have a decent diving envelope to facilitate comfortable boarding and diving. Last but not least, do not use an old board in a new swimming pool; for safety reasons, it’s better to get a new custom one.
How to Choose a Diving Board
You now (hopefully) know the basics of installation, but do you know how to choose the right diving board for your needs? If not, here’s how:
- Your Family Needs – If you have young kids, you may need to get a board that’s certified to be safe for kids, and that comes with additional safety details.
- Your Aesthetics Taste – You want a diving board that fits effortlessly within the poolside environment in terms of color, design, and shape.
- Your Type of Pool – Different diving boards are designed for different types of pools, so you need to be aware of your pool shape and get a suitable board.