Though you seldom see diving boards in residential pools today, some homeowners cannot see installing a pool without one. If you are one of those homeowners and planning a new pool construction with a diving board, then you need to read this!
Many soon-to-be pool owners do not consider a diving board in their pool construction, because they feel it could be a safety issue with their children and their friends. But according to the Spinal Cord Injury Information Network and the University of Alabama at Birmingham , less than 10 percent of all pool diving injuries are because of a diving board.
That does not mean that accidents because of a diving board cannot happen. When children are in a pool with a diving board, an adult needs to be present to ensure children, even teens, are kept safe.
The trend in swimming pool design today is toward an equal depth pool; or at the very least, a sports pool that is shallow on both ends with typically six feet depth in the center, making it easier to play volley ball and other pool sports.
With a diving board, you need sufficient depth to accommodate the dives, from eight to ten feet deep at one end (at least a third of the pool) with a gradual rise (another third) to the shallow end (the remaining third). The width and length of the pool also will determine the type of diving board you can install. If the pool is too short in length, there will not be enough depth expanse to accommodate all types of divers and boards.
Additionally, the size of your backyard will dictate whether a pool with a diving board can be installed. The backyard must be large enough to contain the pool with plenty of room around it for movement and leisure. For most geographical areas, diving boards must have ten feet of clear surrounding space, as well as sufficient space for the diving board space and decking.
There are three major types of diving boards – jump boards, dive boards, and jump rocks.
Jump Boards. This is the board most people associate with diving, since it is used by most commercial pools. It is a flexible board installed on a flexible stand that work in tandem to create that extra lift for the diver. They are best suited for experienced divers. Children, most of whom do not have the required balance and coordination, should not use them. Safety is more of an issue with jump boards, and the length of the deep end area must be considerably longer than with other boards.
Dive Boards. These are flexible boards installed on a rigid stand. That means the stand gives no extra lift to the diver, though the board itself gives a small amount of lift.
Jump Rocks or Dive Platform. This can be a rigid board installed on a rigid stand (i.e. dive platform) or the more popular trending jump rock. Both offer the best safety for divers.
The jump rock can be used in an equal depth or sports pool, but then only for jumping since the pool would not have the required depth for a dive. They only can be used for diving in pools with dive depths. The jump rocks also add to the style and design of the pool, since they come in a variety of shapes and sizes.
The dive platform is considered the safest diving board. It works well for divers without expert diving skills, as well as for tall and athletic divers who can self-propel higher and outward at great lengths.
Your pool construction company can advise you on the best diving board type for your needs during the design phase.
Pool Doctor of the Palm Beaches at poolspalmbeaches.com has offered residential pool construction and remodeling services for almost 30 years.
1 Opinion
