Pool News
Pool Renting – Would You Ever Consider Renting Your Pool?
![Pool Renting - Would You Ever Consider Renting Your Pool?](https://www.poolmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/191985201_345808353638765_2623028651207502600_n-scaled-e1628766548213.jpg)
The Covid-19 global pandemic led to an increased demand for swimming pool construction services. A good percentage of homeowners were looking for ideal escapades amid the Covid-19 travel restrictions. Thus, most homeowners had to upgrade their outdoor living spaces and consider pool renting services. Consequently, pool contractors tried to deal with the surge in demand for their services.
![Pool Renting - Would You Ever Consider Renting Your Pool?](https://www.poolmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/pool-salt-1024x576.jpeg)
Nevertheless, swimming pools incorporate high initial and lifetime costs. Thus, some homeowners were not able to transform their outdoor spaces by installing swimming pools. From this, Ned Gilardino came up with an idea. Gilardino has a swimming pool on his property. However, he and his three older children barely use the pool. So, he put up the swimming pool on Swimply. Doing this gave him the unique opportunity to rent out his swimming pool for several hours. This meant that he had to give up his property to anyone interested in using the pool for a few hours. With pool renting, it meant that he could obtain revenues and profits from the pool.
Pool renting and the covid-19 pandemic
At first, everything was smooth. However, when the Covid-19 pandemic broke out last year, that’s when things started changing. He says, “After the coronavirus crisis, more individuals became interested in his backyard pool. In fact, by the time June was approaching, the pool was fully booked. The demand was overwhelming.” More people were looking for Covid-19 friendly activities to keep their children occupied. And this explained the sudden increase in demand for pool renting services.
Fun and clean pool
Gilardino had to step up his game. He had to be present to welcome guests and ensure the pool is clean and safe for human use. Also, Gilardino set aside the lower section of his house for bathroom and changing purposes. This way, guests could comfortably change and shower without getting to the main section of his house. Moreover, he made the poolside area more appealing by adding games and fire features. Gilardino gained approximately $50,000 by the end of the swimming pool season last year.
Increased demand in pool renting
Asher Weinberger, co-founder and chief operating officer of Swimply, says. “The global pandemic led to an increased demand for our services. As a result, our company grew tremendously in 2020.” Swimply has a listing of over 3000 pools and is functional in all states. The pool renting costs of each pool vary based on different factors. But most pools cost $100 or less per hour. For instance, Gilardino’s pool costs $60 per hour during weekends, which caters to a maximum of five people. During weekdays, Gilardino charges $45 per hour.
Usually, Swimply is responsible for collecting payments and facilitating the booking process. And this makes it easy for pool owners. However, the pool owners renting out their pool also have to pay something small to Swimply.
Nevertheless, insurance is a problem for renters. This is because insurance companies don’t accept to offer compensation if any accidents occur when other people are using the pool. Therefore, all pool renters need to reevaluate all the terms and conditions of their insurance cover. It would be best to sign up for a plan that offers compensation in case of damages. Also, you have to make sure that medical bills are part of the insurance plan. This will cover for anyone who’ll get injured in the pool.
Importance of a good insurance plan for pool renting
Partner at Backes and Backes, Pierson Backes, says, “We cannot deny the fact that a lot of accidents and losses are more likely to happen around pools.” Therefore, as a pool renter, ensure you sign up for the right insurance plan. Remember, pool areas pose a hazard to human safety. He proceeds to say, “Also, keep in mind that you can still have a valid insurance cover and still get sued. Ultimately, if you ask me, having a pool is scary, especially when you look at it from a legal point of view.”
It is clear to see that pool renting is becoming more popular in this day and age. Therefore, it would be best for the state to accept this and formula new guidelines on such situations. So, there should be new rescue equipment on board, new insurance terms and conditions, and signage based on this matter. And of course, we should not forget to observe all Covid-19 restrictions even in these semi-public pools.
Pool renting restrictions
Additionally, the state should also formulate restrictions on renting out semi-public pools and properties. This is because some properties don’t qualify as rentals. For example, if your property is not considered safe, it is not advisable to do pool renting.
Backes finally says, “Pool renting is not such a bad idea. In fact, it would be best if we have more public resources as a nation. Even so, it might be challenging to handle these resources from a legal point of view. So, all in all, pool renting is worth it.”
Pool News
French Diver Makes Splash After Flop At Opening of Olympic Pool
![French Diver Makes Splash After Flop At Opening of Olympic Pool](https://www.poolmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/french-diver-flops-at-olympics-pool.jpg)
French Olympic diver, Alexis Jandard, created a memorable moment at the grand opening of Paris’s new Olympic pool, though not quite in the manner he had envisioned.
A startling video captured during the inauguration of the state-of-the-art Paris Aquatics Center on Thursday showcased the 26-year-old Olympian’s unfortunate landing on his right foot while gearing up to dive alongside two fellow athletes. Adorned in a Speedo reflecting the hues of the French flag, Jandard’s discomforting descent saw him landing on his back, ricocheting off the nearly 10-foot-high dive board, and somersaulting into the pool in a rather ungraceful manner.
The incident unfolded in front of a sizable crowd of onlookers, including French President Emmanuel Macron and various dignitaries. Jandard later displayed his scraped back on his Instagram account, maintaining a light-hearted approach to his embarrassing mishap by quipping, “For your information, my back is fine, but my ego…”
Sharing a photo of his reddened back, courtesy of the encounter with the diving board, on Instagram Stories, Jandard assured followers of his well-being. Speaking to RMC Sport, he recounted the unexpected turn of events, stating, “I’m fine. I didn’t hurt myself; unfortunately, these things happen. It happened at a time when I wasn’t expecting it at all.”
![Alexis Jandard injured his back at the inauguration of the new Olympic Pool in Paris. Photo Credit: @alexis_jandard - Instagram](https://www.poolmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/alexis-jandard-back-1024x576.jpg)
Reflecting on the incident, Jandard humorously noted, “I’ve broken boards before, but the board had never broken me before. Now it has.” Despite the hiccup, he maintained an optimistic outlook, remarking, “I would have preferred this ceremony to have gone well from A to Z. There was that little hitch. If it made people smile a little, so much the better.”
Explaining the mishap, Jandard clarified that his leg gave way upon landing but denied any slippage, emphasizing, “It’s a non-slip [board], and what’s more, the board was new, beautiful, and I think there’s still [some of] my back on the board there.”
With a silver and bronze under his belt at the 2022 and 2023 World Aquatics Championships, respectively, Jandard took the incident in stride, admitting, “It’s a shame, but it’s funny. When you take a step back, it’s funny.”
Looking ahead to the 2024 Paris Games this summer, where he is set to compete, Jandard acknowledged the inevitability of such occurrences in his sport, jesting, “These things happen,” while playfully lamenting, “It had to happen in front of the president and the whole of France. I think we chose the right moment.”
Despite being inundated with supportive messages and playful jabs, Jandard maintained a good-natured stance, urging his followers on Instagram, “Enjoy yourselves, make fun of me. I seriously deserve it!”
Pool News
Earthquake in Taiwan Causes Waterfall From Rooftop Pool
A massive earthquake in Taiwan transforms a rooftop pool into a waterfall. View viral footage.
![Earthquake in Taiwan Causes Waterfall From Rooftop Pool](https://www.poolmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/taiwan-earthquake-pool.jpg)
In a harrowing turn of events, Taiwan was struck by a powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake, leaving devastation in its wake. The quake, the strongest to hit the island in 25 years, shook the east coast of Taiwan, particularly affecting the city of Hualien and its surrounding areas. With a depth of 34.8 kilometers, the epicenter of the earthquake was located 18 kilometers south of Hualien, according to the US Geological Survey.
As rescue efforts are underway to free those trapped under rubble and debris, the toll of the disaster continues to rise. At least nine individuals have lost their lives, while over 900 others have sustained injuries. The aftermath of the earthquake has left over 100 buildings damaged, with reports of landslides and collapsed structures adding to the chaos.
The force of the quake was so immense that it caused a surreal sight—a rooftop swimming pool overflowing and cascading down the side of a building, creating an impromptu waterfall. Footage captured during the earthquake also shows the sheer force as a man inside a pool struggles to maintain balance, the water swaying violently from side to side.
The region of Hualien County, with a population of approximately 300,000, faces immense challenges in assessing the full extent of the damage. Many inhabitants reside in remote coastal or mountain communities, making it difficult for rescue teams to reach them promptly. The precarious situation is exacerbated by the expectation of aftershocks, with 29 aftershocks greater than a magnitude of 4.0 already recorded near the epicenter.
Compounding the crisis are reports of miners trapped in two mines in Hualien, adding urgency to the rescue operations. Furthermore, over 91,000 households are grappling with power cuts, amplifying the difficulties faced by residents in the aftermath of the disaster.
Despite the widespread destruction, medical facilities in Taiwan’s capital, Taipei City, are functioning, albeit damaged. The Municipal Government has confirmed that hospitals are operating normally, providing critical care to the injured.
The international community has responded swiftly to the catastrophe, with the Biden administration monitoring the situation closely and expressing readiness to offer assistance. In the face of adversity, Taiwan is rallying its resources and resilience, demonstrating solidarity and resolve in confronting this natural disaster.
As the dust settles and the extent of the damage becomes clearer, questions arise about the effectiveness of early warning detection systems in mitigating the impact of natural disasters. Despite Taiwan’s investment in advanced seismic technology, including early warning systems designed to provide crucial seconds of alert before an earthquake strikes, many residents were caught off guard by the sudden and violent tremors. Reports indicate that the early warning detection system, while operational, did not reach a significant portion of the population in time to take preventive action
Pool News
Patent Pending Apple Watch SOS Feature Could Prevent Drownings
![Patent Pending Apple Watch SOS Feature Could Prevent Drownings](https://www.poolmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/apple-watch-sos-drowning-prevention.jpg)
A forthcoming feature potentially destined for the Apple Watch, as detailed in a recent patent application, could serve as a lifesaver for swimmers at risk of drowning.
Outlined in the patent is a capability for the Watch to identify “irregular behavior” and automatically trigger a distress call for assistance.
Apple underscores the alarming statistics surrounding drowning, particularly its prevalence among children, as a leading cause of accidental fatalities.
In the United States alone, drowning claims the lives of over 3,500 individuals annually, ranking as the fifth most common form of accidental death. Tragically, a significant portion of these victims are children.
Emphasizing the critical importance of swift intervention during water emergencies, Apple highlights the dire consequences of prolonged submersion without resuscitation, which can result in brain damage and ultimately, drowning.
A Growing Need For Cost-Effective Wearable Solutions
While acknowledging existing underwater camera systems in some swimming pools aimed at detecting distressed swimmers and alerting lifeguards, Apple notes their costliness and unreliability.
Consequently, there’s a pressing need for a simpler, more cost-effective drowning prevention solution suitable for all types of water bodies, including public and private pools, as well as natural settings like lakes and ponds where installing underwater cameras is impractical.
The patent proposes leveraging wearable devices such as the Apple Watch for broader applicability, increased reliability, and the ability to detect various types of emergencies.
Alerting When Swimmers Are In Distress
For instance, if the Watch detects a wearer who is not proficient in swimming entering deeper water, it can promptly dispatch an alert instead of waiting for signs of distress.
These alerts can be transmitted to nearby devices, including those of friends and family, and seamlessly integrate with existing drowning detection and alarm systems to ensure lifeguards are promptly notified.
Apple Watches already boast capabilities to detect and respond to falls, vehicle accidents, and cardiac irregularities. Heartwarming testimonials featured in Apple’s “Dear Apple” video series show individuals whose lives were saved by these functionalities.
As with many patents from Apple, it’s important to note that not all concepts may materialize into actual products. Nonetheless, this innovation stands as a promising addition for potential integration into future watchOS updates.
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