Free Style Diving Platforms

Whether you’re expertly plunging into the deep end or working on your biggest cannonball yet, S.R. Smith’s Free Style Diving Platforms will make you look good doing it! Unlike traditional diving boards, which are essentially just long wooden planks, the FreeStyle and HipHop diving platforms come in unique shapes – similar to rock formations - and composite materials to give your pool a more natural look and feel. Available in colors like sandstone, gray granite and radiant white, these diving boards blend extremely well in an outdoor environment and will give your swimming pool a sophisticated touch.

A few prominent features of the Free Style diving platforms are:

Shape & Size

While the FreeStyle board is a good 75 in. long, the HipHop board, at 87 in. long, is fairly longer. However, both free style diving platforms are great for backyard amusement and are safer to use than conventional diving boards. With a width twice as large as a regular diving board, curved shape and sturdy base, these boards are certainly a reliable source of fun! And due to their lack of springs, the boards require you to use your own force and momentum, which discourages complicated dives and reduces the chance of related accidents and injuries.

Non-Slip Composition

Speaking of safety, we haven’t revealed the best part yet! On top of using tough, composite material, the Free Style boards are wrapped and coated in a matching SureFoot non-slip tread – ensuring the safety of you, your family and friends. Say goodbye to holding your breath every time your child steps onto the diving board!

With the Free Style diving platforms, you can also be assured that their durable composite material, anti-slip tread and corrosion-resistant stainless steel hardware are capable of withstanding all types of inclement weather – ensuring your family a lifetime of fun and entertainment.

Salt Pool Friendly

Aware of the current trend of salt pools and salt chlorinator systems, our diving boards and the materials they are constructed from are salt pool friendly, meaning they function well in salt water environments.

Other notable features include:

• D-Lux stand designed specifically for these boards, which installs on the existing 6’ Flyte-Deck jigs
• Can be installed to Type I – Type V pools
• May also be used with Cantilever, Supreme + Flyte-Deck II stands

One basic thing to remember when purchasing a board for your pool is that a diving board differs significantly to a jumping board. With the FreeStyle and HipHop diving boards, the board itself is flexible but the base is completely rigid, whereas a jumping board will have a spring at its base. In order to make sure you know the proper diving method for a diving board, check out this instructional video below:

Give your swimming pool a refined touch of flair with our Free Style Diving Platforms. Its natural design will not only harmonize well with the outdoors but also enhance the overall look and aesthetic of your poolscape. Visit The Pool Guy Store to browse our entire selection of diving boards today.

Swimming Pool Chemical Safety Tips

Using swimming pool chemicals is an absolute must for a clean, healthy pool, but while they work to keep the water safe and free of bacteria and other potentially harmful germs, they pose a significant risk if they are not stored or used properly.

The following sections will provide guidelines and recommendations on how to store pool chemicals, and will also provide tips on how to take properly handle them in order to reduce the risk of injury and accidental poisoning.

Chemical Storage

One of the first things to consider is where you will be storing your pool chemicals. You want to ensure that they are stored in an area with ample ventilation and adequate lighting for reading labels to avoid dangerous chemical mix-ups. It’s a great idea to include spill containment features, also known as secondary containment, in the design of your chemical storage area. Spill containment features are used to prevent any chemical leaks or spills from mixing with any other substances, which may create toxic fumes. Be sure to provide adequate security features to the space you will be storing your chemicals in order to keep children and animals out of harm’s way.

Pool chemicals should be stored below 95° F/35° C and in conditions recommended by the manufacturer.

Protect stored chemicals from getting wet.

• Do not store pool chemicals directly on the floor where they could potentially get wet. Place chemical containers on shelves.
• Store pool chemicals away from doors and windows as these are the two most common points of entry for water.
• Always keep pool chemicals covered with waterproof material.

Other recommendations include:

• Store different types of pool chemicals separate from each other. Don’t stack incompatible chemicals (especially liquids that may leak) above or below one another.
• Store pool chemicals in original, manufacturer’s-labeled containers.
• Protect pool chemicals from heat sources, flames and other potentially flammable substances.

Chemical Handling

Before using any type of pool chemical, be sure to read the full manufacturer’s instructions, recommendations, and warnings. If you ever come across an un-labeled container, it is better to be safe and discard the chemicals, rather than taking a chance and guessing what it is. Be sure to keep children and animals at a distance when handling pool chemicals.

Other important recommendations include:

• Use caution when opening containers to avoid splashing chemicals on exposed skin or other nearby chemicals.
• Never mix individual pool chemicals together or with any other substance.
• Do not mix different types of chlorine products together.
• Do not mix fresh and old chemicals together, even if they are the same product, as the chemical composition may become altered if expired.
• Dedicate equipment such as scoops and buckets to only one pool chemical and never use for any other pool chemical.
• Make sure you are only using dry equipment in your pool chemicals.
• Do not pre-dissolve solid pool chemicals or dilute liquid pool chemicals.
• Always wash your hands after working with pool chemicals.

It’s also a smart idea to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) like gloves and safety goggles when treating your pool. If there is ever a pool chemical spill, be sure to respond to it immediately.

About the Author: The Pool Guy Store provides discount pool supplies for above ground, in ground, and commercial swimming pools. For more information on products and services, please visit www.thepoolguystore.com.