swimmingpoolblog

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How to Choose the Right Swimming Pool for Your Home?

Planning to install a swimming pool for your home, but do not know which kind to pick? We understand your plight. The swimming pool market is littered with different types of swimming pools. Choosing the right one can begin to seem like an overwhelming task, but it need not be. Use this guide on the different types of swimming pools, to pick the swimming pool that meets your lifestyle requirements most compatibly. You will have to arrive at a decision regarding several questions such as size, type, the material of construction, and more. Weigh each consideration carefully to reach a well-informed and practical swimming pool buying decision for yourself. After all, a swimming pool is no cheap expense.

Review Space Availability

You don't want to pick a swimming pool for your house, then find out that you don't have adequate yard size to accommodate it. It is always a good idea to prevent such situations by measuring the approximate area you have available at your house to install your swimming pool. You can then proceed to narrow down the swimming pool size/type that is applicable to you. A backyard is aesthetically ideal for installing swimming pools. However, a front yard works just as beautifully. If you want a swimming pool to provide your family the opportunity to swim privately, but do not have adequate yard space at your property – you could even have a swimming pool installed indoors. Either way, estimate your space availability and only then, proceed to picking out your swimming pool.

Understand Your Needs

If you want to make an intelligent swimming pool buying decision, you might want to list out your needs and requirements from a swimming pool before hitting the market. Ask yourself how you intend to be using the swimming pool. Do you wish to use your pool as an artifact to glamorize your yard or will you be using it to swim laps? Do you plan on throwing pool parties or will you just be using your pool occasionally for performing hydrotherapy after you’ve sustained an exercise-related or otherwise injury. Your needs and desires from a swimming pool will dictate the features and specifications you should consider when buying a swimming pool. If you want to engage in competitive swimming, you might want a deep swimming pool. Similarly, if you’d like to enjoy a relaxing and pampering experience from your swimming pool, you should think about adding spa jets or a jacuzzi bath into your swimming pool.

Think Up a Budget

Yes, the space you have available for installing a swimming pool at your house is a major concern when selecting a swimming pool for your house. Your budget allowance is equally, if not more, important. There's a swimming pool type to fit every pocket. With time, you can spend on your swimming pool and install the features you find favorable. You may even have your swimming pool custom-made from scratch, depending on your budget. Usually in-ground pools are more expensive to install, as you have to pay for excavation costs as well. Above-ground fiberglass pools provide budget-friendly swims, without making you worry about the expenses you incur too much.

You’d also be wise to factor in maintenance costs to your swimming pool budget. Afterall, you will need to pay to clean and maintain your swimming pool over the years as well. It won’t always stay as clean and hygienic, as when you have it installed. A small-sized pool will be more affordable to maintain than a regular-sized family swimming pool.

Assess Your Aesthetic Requirements

After the more important considerations such as space availability and budget has been taken care of, it is time to think about how you want your swimming pool to look. Do you want it to have a fountain/waterfall embellishment, do you want a sleek and contemporary looking pool or do you want a round fun kiddie pool? The material of construction can alter the appearance and operational lifetime of your swimming pool. You could pick a swimming pool made of fiberglass or one which is vinyl-based. You may also opt for a concrete swimming pool. Fiberglass pools are ready-for-use at a shorter notice and less expensive than concrete pools, but the options you receive to customize them in terms of looks might be finite. Concrete pools offer you a lot of say when it comes to customizing their appearance, as they are built from scratch. While pre-constructed fiberglass pools might not offer this freedom, they let you enjoy a whole lot of customization options for features and facilities.

Consider Safety Measures

If you’ve made up your mind about installing a swimming pool into your yard, you might want to think about how you wish to keep it safeguarded from prying eyes and unsupervised children/pets. You may think about installing a wooden fence around the length and circumference of your pool to keep it safe and secured from children/pets wandering about in the area unrestricted. If you are concerned about prying eyes, you could also plant a line of tall bushes to keep visibility low for any nosy neighbors. A wide ledge area is also a good idea when installing a pool. Not only does it provide more protection for individuals on the edge of the pool, it also offers you and your friends a space to sit and lounge about.

Don’t Hurry!

A swimming pool is a considerable investment, both in terms of cost and effort. You don’t want to spend all that money, only to land up with a swimming pool that isn’t compatible with your personal needs. Take some time and think about all your needs and requirements from an in-house swimming pool. Think about your family's safety needs from a swimming pool and how often you are likely to be able to devote time to maintaining your pool. All of these questions should help you inform your swimming pool installation decision. We've summarized all the considerations that you might need to make to purchase the right swimming pool for you. You should be able to make an informed and wise swimming pool purchase decision if you refer to them, as specified.

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Fun and Enjoyable Games Kids Can Play in The Pool

Splashing around in a swimming pool is always fun, but there are certain pool games that can take your child’s pool experience up a notch. Besides regular swimming, there are multiple games that children can enjoy playing in the pool. These will not only keep them entertained during the summer, but it will also give you the opportunity to catch up on some personal time without worrying about keeping your kids occupied. Here are some entertaining games that kids can enjoy in the swimming pool.

Wishing well

This is a popular game among kids because it presents them with the opportunity to make some quick money. Start off by having the kids stand with their backs facing the swimming pool so that they can’t see the pool. Meanwhile, take a handful of coins and throw those into the swimming pool when they’re not looking. Once the game starts, players will have to dive into the swimming pool and go deep underwater to collect the coins that were tossed. They should be instructed to collect as many coins as they can, and the coins collected will be their prize.  

Marco polo

This is another easy and fun game for kids to play in the pool, which is a more challenging version of tag. Here, there’s one person who needs to keep their eyes closed and try to tag another player nearby to become the next in their position. The tagged player will say, “Marco” while the others say, “Polo”. As the player’s eyes are closed, they will have to figure out who’s nearby based on the sounds of other players and try to tag them. If they manage to tag another player when their eyes are closed, that player needs to continue the same for the next round until they manage to tag someone else.  

Volleyball

If you’re having a pool party or your kids have brought several friends over, volleyball can be a good option for pool games to play. All this will require is a net and a ball. You could even use a big beach ball instead of a normal volleyball to make the game more fun. The idea is to be hitting the ball over the net to the side of the other players using one’s hands. If a team lets the ball drop, then the other team will get a point for it. This is a great game that can engage many players at the same time.  

Shark and minnows

Shark and minnows is another version of tag played in the pool where there is one tagged player who is the shark. All other players are the minnows who stand on one side of the swimming pool when the game starts. At the go signal, the minnows must try to get to the other end of the swimming pool without being tagged by the shark. Whoever gets tagged will become the shark for the next round and have to do the same.    

Scavenger hunt

Scavenger hunt is sure to get kids excited, regardless of whether it’s on land or in the water. For this, you need to choose some items that will sink in water and divide the kids into 2 groups. You must then scatter the items across the swimming pool without the kids knowing where the items have been scattered. The objective of the teams is to find the most number of sunken items and bring them back before the other team manages to do the same. The team with the most retrieved items will win.

Simon says

This is pretty much the same as the game on land except that it takes place in the swimming pool. Here, one person will have to direct others on what they should do by starting with, “Simon says” and following it up with an action that others are expected to perform. Any child who performs that action when the instruction is given without saying “Simon says” will be out. By the process of elimination, the last kid who remains in the game will be considered the winner.

Bobbers

Bobbers is the water version of “Whack a mole” that groups will love playing. Here, one player is handed a pool noodle and is “it”. All other players in the game are bobbers. When the game starts, the bobbers must try to make their way from one end of the swimming pool to another, bobbing up and down on their way. The player at the centre of the swimming pool who is “it” must try to whack the boobers with the pool noodle as they bob across. Everyone who reaches the other end of the pool without being whacked is safe, but anyone who gets whacked will take the place of the current whacker and have to do the same in the next round.    

Fish in the middle

This game is ideally played when there are 3 people. One person will have to be the fish and stand in the middle, with the other 2 players on either end. A ball is tossed back and forth between the 2 players on either end, and it is up to the fish to try to get hold of the ball. If the fish in the middle manages to successfully catch the ball, the player on the end that tossed the ball will become the new fish in the middle and try to do the same as the other 2 continue to play.  

Dolphin race

Dolphin race is a fun game that can be played by individual players or by dividing players into teams and then having a relay. Every player or team is given a beach ball, and their task is to push the ball from one end of the swimming pool to another using just their nose. They cannot use their hands to push the ball, and if they do by mistake, they’ll have to get back to the starting line and begin again. The team or player that finishes this task successfully first will win the game.  

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Summer food ideas – Getting ready for the pool parties ahead

Having friends and family around for a BBQ or meal accompanied by a swim is an iconic pastime here in Australia. When the weather starts to heat up and the pool is glistening, there’s no better time to start entertaining. In this article we will share our favourite summer food ideas that are sure to get the party started.

It’s a good idea to make your food choices simple so that they are quick for you to prepare and easy for your guests to grab and eat.

For starters, think of tasty foods that can be prepared ahead of time so when your guests start arriving you can simply grab them and serve.

Fruit Platter

There’s nothing more refreshing than fresh fruit on a warm summer’s day. Opt for seasonal fruit, they tend to be cheaper and full of flavour too. Popular summer fruits include mangoes, strawberries, and melons however, you can add whatever fruits you like. To make your platter enticing, try to include a variety of fruit that is easy to eat rather than just one or two options. You can prepare this the day before, keep in the fridge and bring out when you choose to serve it. Tip - Water rich fruits such as watermelon, pineapple and oranges provide hydration as well as tasty treat, which is especially great for the kids that are out in the sun and may not be drinking as much water as they should on the day.

Grazing station

Grazing stations have become an extremely popular way to provide food to guests. The great thing about grazing stations is that you can include whatever foods you like, there is no rule book. Typically, they include cheeses, crackers, cold meats, fruit, nuts, and dips. You can add or eliminate any foods from there to suit your preferences or dietary requirements. The foods are either laid on a table or serving board and in close proximity to each other with napkins, plates, and forks for your guests to help themselves.

All-time favourite – BBQ

For most of us, a BBQ and entertaining go hand in hand. If you’re looking for something a bit more substantial to feed your guests, you can’t go past this classic. While the BBQ will be cooked once everyone has arrived, you can prepare ahead of time to ensure you’re spending most of your time with your guests rather than in the kitchen. Salads and sides can be made the day before and the meat (if any) and vegetables can be prepared and marinated overnight. So, on the day, once the BBQ is cooked, you can simply bring out your sides and your guests can help themselves.

Wraps and Sandwiches

If you want to spend most of your time in the pool rather than organising food, wraps and sandwiches are a great option. You can either make them up the night before or in the morning before your guests arrive. Its good to offer your guests a variety of choices rather than just limiting your filling to one. Tip: Cut the sandwiches in triangles and the wraps in thirds. This way everyone can try a few different types, they are easier to grab and eat plus it saves excessive waste if someone doesn’t like the flavour.

Burgers

Most people like a burger and if you offer different options for the fillings, people can choose what they want in it and its sure to be a crowd pleaser. You can pre make beef patties or grill some chicken on the day and for people who are vegetarians, offer alternatives such as grilled haloumi or a meat free patty. Make sure you cater to food intolerances and allergies, so no one misses out. Classic burger fillings include lettuce, cheese, tomato, pineapple, beetroot, and sauces. Grab some bread rolls and you’re set.

Drinks

Swimming and being out in the sun makes you thirsty. Ensure you have plenty of drinks for your guests. If your guests are drinking alcohol you may choose to make your pool party BYO. Even if your guests are bringing their own drinks you should still have non-alcoholic options on hand. Additionally, in summertime the weather is warm so the drinks don’t stay cold for long. Ensure you have plenty of ice cube trays frozen or a bag of ice that guests can access to put in their drinks.

Ice Blocks

If you have kids coming over, ice blocks are sure to be well received. Of course, you can buy them premade from the shops however, they tend to be full of sugar. For a healthy and tasty alternative, try making some of your own. Using fresh fruits blended and juiced you can make your own icy treat. You just need some ice block moulds and fruits of your choice. These will need to be done the night before to ensure they have fully set. Tip: Add yoghurt to give them a creamy texture and super food powders such as acai to make smoothie inspired ice blocks.

Dessert

If you plan on serving dessert, DIY mini pavlovas are a great choice. You can either make mini meringues yourself or buy premade ones from the supermarket. Simply whip up some thickened cream and choose a selection of toppings. Serve on a platter and your guests can help themselves to the cream and whichever toppings they’d like. Some popular choices include, fresh sliced fruit, cherries, berry coulis, and chocolate shavings. As they are small, this minimises waste.

We hope our food ideas gave you some inspiration for your next pool party. Remember, keep your summer foods simple yet delicious and ensure you have enough food for your guests. It’s always better to have too much than not enough. Extra food means leftovers for the next day and no cooking, so it is win, win. If you can, do the bulk of the preparation ahead of time, so come party day you can spend quality time socialising and swimming.

Having a pool in the backyard is the ultimate party starter. Here at Barrier Reef Pools Perth we are all about enhancing lifestyles with our award-winning fibreglass pools. If you require further information or have any questions, get in touch with our friendly team today.