Swimming pools: small garden, big dreams
A Record-Breaking Swim
At 11am on Wednesday the 19th of April 2023, Pablo Fernández began his swim in a counter-current pool in Madrid. By the time his 24-hour challenge had finished, he had broken the world record for the longest continuous swim in a counter-current pool or swim spa, covering just over 104 kilometres.
Pablo had already broken several records, including the longest distance ocean swim, which he achieved in July 2021, in Florida, USA. The total distance covered at that time was 250 km, in 26 hours, 36 minutes and 18 seconds, without fins or hand paddles, riding the fast-moving Gulf Stream.
Creating Your Own Space of Retreat
While you may not be planning a record-breaking swim, like many, you will still want to create a space within your garden to allow you to swim, bathe away the stresses of your day, or gather and chat with friends or loved ones while you sit and soak.
Not everyone has the space in their garden for a full-size swimming pool, but there are alternatives to help you create a dream garden with its own watery retreat to help improve your physical and mental well-being.
The first step is to consider where in your garden to site your chosen pool, and maybe a spa. You will want to avoid areas that will contravene local planning regulations or are affected by strong winds or flooding. If the project entails groundworks you will need to ensure that there are no buried cables or drainage pipes and that if excavation equipment is required, there is easy access. A level site will make things a lot simpler. You should also consider the privacy of your chosen spot, and whether there are any safety implications for children and pets.
Of course, you will not need to worry about any of the technical aspects mentioned above as your chosen, qualified and experienced pool construction company will work with you and take responsibility for these elements.
Swimming for Fitness: Lap Pools and Counter Current Pools
If you are more focused on health and fitness than entertaining guests and are looking for a pool to allow you to swim lengths, but have limited space, a lap pool is the ideal solution. With a similar width to an Olympic swimming lane which measures 2.5m, lap pools come in a range of lengths, or, if you can opt for a custom-made pool to fit your space.
Another option that prioritises fitness and exercise is a pool built with a counter current unit* (as experienced by Pablo Fernández) that creates a current in the water to swim against. This allows you to swim, uninterrupted, without moving forwards, and thus, without having to turn in the pool.
Relaxation in a Plunge Pool
If space is tight but you still want a pool for relaxing and re-energising your body (as opposed to swimming training or vigorous exercise), then a plunge pool may be just what you are looking for. It resembles a swimming pool, but being much smaller, it is typically used for dipping in and out. They can be designed to fit the space available, provide an attractive focal point in the garden and create a cosy space to relax with family and friends. Plunge pools require minimum maintenance.
Get in touch
London Swimming Pool Company can help you; not only choose, design, and build the best solution for your needs, but can also provide a qualified pool engineer to maintain and service it. Get in touch by calling us on 020 8605 1255 or email enquiries@londonswimmingpools.com.
