Have you ever swam in a pool only to find out that the diving board is broken? Or maybe it was just slightly askew, causing you to feel off-balance as you jumped off the board? Or perhaps it was just a bit too far from the edge of the pool for convenient use?
Whatever the cause of the problem, it’s enough to make you feel anxious and uncertain about trying out for the board again. After all, what if the problem happens a second time? Or a third?
One could argue that the board is one of the most intimidating pieces of equipment in any pool. The looks of it are enough to make you feel anxious about trying out for the board. Even the name, diving board, gives you an idea of what it is: it’s meant to be descended upon by a diver.
But what is a diving board? And how high does it need to be for a safe and comfortable swim? How high is high? Let’s find out together.
Table of Contents
What Is A Diving Board?
A diving board is a platform that allows swimmers to jump off the pool into the water. For those unfamiliar, swimming pools have long been a place where people can swim, socialize, and relax. Pools are also a great place for kids to play, especially in the summertime when the sun is shining and temperatures are rising.
Over the years, pools have become larger and more spacious, providing more room for families and friends to socialize, play, and relax together. As pools have gotten bigger, so has the need for a diving board to help people get out of the pool easily. The board itself can be as simple as two blocks of wood with a pulley system that allows the swimmer to slowly lower themselves into the water. Alternatively, more elaborate designs can even include motors, lights, and weather vanes!
While many prefer the simplicity of a traditional wooden board with pulleys, more sophisticated options like fiberglass, vinyl, and plastic are just as popular as the classic wooden board. What is important is that the board is safe and easy to use for swimmers of all ages. It should not pose any danger to the person using it and should not damage the pool property in any way. It should be safe and non-slip so that even if a person is slippery when exiting the pool, the board itself will not cause any accidents. If the board is too low, it may even hurt somebody if they hit their head while jumping off the pool. This is not what one would want after purchasing a pool with the intent of using it regularly.
Why Is A High Diving Board Needed?
As mentioned above, pools have become a place for families and friends to socialize, play, and relax. If you happen to be in a neighborhood with older children, you may also want to purchase a lifeguard chair so that the kids can enjoy the pool without worrying about drowning. In these cases, a high diving board is an essential piece of safety equipment. It will stop a child or pet from falling into the water if they slip while running or playing on the pool deck and begin swimming (or floating for the pet owners!) towards the middle of the pool. In other words, high diving boards save lives!
But what if someone is already in the pool when you get there? You wouldn’t want to walk in and surprise somebody with a high diving board right in the middle of the pool, would you? This could be dangerous. So you should either call them by name (if you know they’re into snogging and don’t want to be disturbed), or wait for them to finish their swim and get out of the water before you enter the pool with your board. Another option is to leave a note on the pool locker saying “Diving board tomorrow,” so that they know what is coming!
How High Does A Diving Board Need To Be?
With all the above in mind, let’s discuss the minimum height requirement for a diving board. The general rule of thumb is that the board should be at least four feet, six inches above the surface of the water. This is to ensure that whoever is using it will not be injured by the board. It is also high enough that a person can easily jump off and not hit their head on anything while descending. As for why six inches, this is due to the physics of flight. When a human body jumps off of something, they spread their arms and legs out to catch the air. The higher the jump, the further the body will travel before reaching the end of the fall. This means that the farther back you throw the board, the higher it needs to be to ensure that the person using it lands on their feet without any mishaps.
If you have a small pool where the board is going to be stored away during the non-swimming hours, storing at the very least three feet above the surface of the water is advisable to avoid any accidents. As for the maximum height, this varies from pool to pool. However, most pools are not designed for children to play in, and therefore, there is no physical restriction on how high the diving board can be raised. Just make sure that it is safe for the person using it.
Which Pool Surfaces Should Be Used For Drying Off After Swimming?
If you have a pool that gets a lot of use and thus a lot of exposure to wetness, it is advisable to use tiles for the floor surrounding the pool. This is because tiles are porous and can absorb the excess water that gets thrown at them during use. If you have a porous surface around the pool, you should be able to easily dry off after swimming, even if the water is still a little bit wet. If this is the case, you should look into purchasing a pool liner to protect your pool’s surface from getting damaged due to exposure to water and its chemicals. Some pool liners are even designed to look like tile or concrete so that they can be easily cleaned if needed!
If you are fortunate enough to have a pool designed for children and pets, then you should consider using vinyl for the deck surrounding the pool. This is because vinyl is more resistant to water and thus safer around pools compared to other materials. As for why vinyl, it is because the material is more flexible and can thus absorb water more easily compared to other options like concrete or marble. Once again, pets and children are more at risk of getting sick from exposure to wetness, so it is better to use materials that are more resistant to water damage. Another option is to use plastic for the pool deck surface, especially since plastic is already used for the pool itself. In addition, you could use plastic for the lining between the water and the pool deck, as it is more impact resistant compared to other materials. Remember: safety first! If you have a pool that gets a lot of use, then vinyl, concrete, or marble are not the best choices for the surrounding area due to the risk of water damage. Also, if the area is going to be exposed to the elements, then you should consider using a non-skid surface like rubber so that the area does not become slippery when wet. Finally, if you want to be extra cautious when using the pool then you should consider using a material like ceramic tile with a water-resistant seal coating to protect your pool deck area from any spills or leaks! Good luck out there.