A question: we're moving to Phoenix and will build a pool in the backyard. What is the required pool depth needed to execute a flip turn? The builder says 3' 6" is fine; one web site I found refers to this depth, anothers implies 4 feet are needed. What do you think?
Also -- the pool length is 40 feet -- not much by Olympic standards -- but do you think this is fine if you just plan to do a bunch of flip turns? (and have the depth to do them in!).
Thanks :)
Former Member
3'6" is probably good enough if you do flip turns very well. But otherwise, 4' might be better -- my personal experience is that in a pool is less than 4' I sometimes touch the bottom during turns.
As for the length, 40' sounds OK if ALL you plan to do is practice turns; you'll get lots of practice (I had a coach once who had the team swim the width of the pool to get extra turns for practice). But, having had the experience of trying to work out in 40' pools at hotels, etc., I don't think that length would be good for anything else.
Have you considered an inground Endless Pool (or partially inground). I have no idea what an inground pool costs to construct but this may be an option for you. You can swim for miles and never turn. The thing is you can swim for miles in one direction. This all depends on what you want in your pool. It can be up to 6 feet deep. Mine is 4 feet and above ground. The max width is 9 feet and max length is 16 feet (inside measurements) . This is plenty of room to swim in.
Interesting post. A few years ago, the pool we trained in was at a very low water level (somewhere around 2.5 feet) and a few brave (or foolhardy) swimmers attempted tumble turns and had no problem. It amazed me at the time as I thought you'd normally go much deeper ... apparently not.
Regarding these 'endless pools' I've often wondered whether they'd drastically alter your stroke dynamics, as wouldn't your hand be unable to find any 'still' water at all?
Alex
You won't find any still water but it will tell you without a doubt where you have a problem with drag. If it is alot of turns you want to practice then go with a lawn pool, if you want to swim, swim for fitness, or long distance swimming I would check one out. All you need do is call them and tell them you are interested. They will send you a video, they can also hook you up with someone in your area for you to try out their pool. Doesn't cost anything. If you don't exclusively swim in one kind of pool I don't think it would be detrimental to your stroke.
The pool I grew up swimming had a shallow end of 2ft 9in and we would do flip turns (including those of us at 6ft + in height) you did have to be careful but it could be done, good for teaching a tight tuck into your turn, 3ft 6in should be enough - but if you are looking for some consistency most pools it appears to have a shallow end closer to 4ft.
I think 3' 6" would be fine. I would be more concerened about the length of the pool. I think you will be dissappointed in a 40' pool. It will not be enough length for you to do any quality lap swimming and you will soon get bored from doing lots of flip turns. I used to swim at a health club with a 54' pool. Not ideal but it was doable. However, converting the times from a 25 yard pool was not fun.
