New Small Pool Build... Need Advice on Depth... 4-5-4 or 4-5.5?

[FLPoolDude]

Hi All,

I've lurked here for a while and thank you all for the valuable information. We're going forward with a small pool build for a 10x22 pool (layout attached) and trying to decide on the depth. For the past few months, we were thinking 4 foot to a gradual 5.5 foot depth. However, the builder just gave an option for a sports pool depth of "4 foot - 5 foot - 4 foot" and it got me thinking.

My kids range in age from 12 to 6. I do like the option of making the whole pool a usable depth since it's smaller in size. However, I think the kids would prefer a typical deep end like they see in other pools. Not that you can dive in 5.5 depth but at least it's a little deeper for jumping in feet first.



Anyway, I'd just like to get some feedback from others . We're in Central Florida if it helps.

 

[FLPoolDude]

I should also note that this will be a gunite pool. I did read the recent pinned thread on a similar topic as well. However, I'd like some feedback since this pool is smaller in size so wondering if either option would be a huge difference. Thanks again!

 

[riley00dog]

We have just built a 10x20 ish pool (6 x 3.2m). Ours is 4’ to 6’ and our kids are 12 and 6. They spend their entire time in the deep end. We have a full length bench that our 6 year old goes to when he needs a break. He can’t touch at the shallow end yet (though not far off it). 5.5’ would be just as good for them. They like the deeper water through.

 

[FLPoolDude]

Thanks RileyDog. Is there anything you can't do at that depth vs a sports pool depth? I'm thinking as the kids get older they might want to play more basketball/volleyball in the pool or other games?

 

[Jcvader99]

For basketball/volleyball, deeper is not better. We have 3.5' shallow, and 5.5' deep... we play basketball (kids and adults) in the shallow end and anything over 4.5 feet is too deep to move around in while playing. Volleyball is even more dependent on depth... We usually end up with kids on shallow side and adults on deep side, and the adults usually lose because they can't move enough to get to the ball. My opinion is that 4.5 feet is the most you would want for any type of watersport activity. Anything deeper than that is for swimming/playing/jumping.

 

[FLPoolDude]

Is there an option if we wanted to do both? LOL

I know it's difficult since we are limited in size. Would the 4 - 5.5 be the better options for the occasional jump in and some games? Not to mention, we'd have the sunshelf on part of the shallower side anyway.

Decisions... Decisions...

 

[jeffchap]

The adults stay in the shallow end of our pool and the kids like the deep end. If it was solely up to me, it would all be shallow. But then we wouldn't be able to get away from them. [emoji12]

 

[FLPoolDude]

I hear that. I'm really stating to wonder if it makes a difference either way with the position of the sunshelf and the pool being shorter in length...

 

[FLPoolDude]

The adults stay in the shallow end of our pool and the kids like the deep end. If it was solely up to me, it would all be shallow. But then we wouldn't be able to get away from them. [emoji12]

Do you think there is any difference on the jumping in (feet first) and play options (Outside of basketball and volleyball) between a 4-5-4 vs a 4-5.5? Seems like it's not a huge difference but I'm no pool expert.

 

[jeffchap]

Do you think there is any difference on the jumping in (feet first) and play options (Outside of basketball and volleyball) between a 4-5-4 vs a 4-5.5? Seems like it's not a huge difference but I'm no pool expert.

We caution them not to dive, but jumping into 4' water is fine. My youngest is 12, btw.

 

[riley00dog]

Thanks RileyDog. Is there anything you can't do at that depth vs a sports pool depth? I'm thinking as the kids get older they might want to play more basketball/volleyball in the pool or other games?

They can’t dive head first, but you need much more than 6’ depth for that. As for volleyball and basketball. I’m not sure. Right now since my little one can’t touch it couldn’t be done. What they do though, is he stands on the bench while my 12 year old stands in the pool and they play all sorts of ball games together. Once my 6 year old can touch volleyball would works well if my (fast growing) 12 year old stood deeper and my 6 year old in the shallow end. A bonus of having a 5.5 year age gap! I guess a big game might not work with lots of kids as no one could touch at the deepest part. Basketball would work. Even as of now, my little one could just shoot from the bench. Actually thinking about this for Christmas for them. We have a slide and they absolutely love it! It exits them right at the deepest part of the pool and then they make their way to the bench to get out. For the size of our pool, there is nothing we would change design wise.