Pool Stair Riser Depth

[Inevitable]

Hello! We are renoing our pool and putting in new wedding cake concrete stairs into our existing 16'x32' pool. The bottom of our shallow end to the top of the deck will be 44" deep.

Due to the size of the pavers/support and water level our first step has to be 11" down.

We then have two options
1. Have three steps with 11" inch risers (to make all steps equal),
2. Have the first step 11" down and then four steps with 8" risers (one more step).

Either way would we use the same size tread.

Pros of 1 would be the stairs take up less of the shallow end (1 less stair ) and all steps are equal depths. Pros of 2 are 8" steps are a lot more comfortable for the average person.

Which do you think would be better?

 

[nuttyp]

Not sure for you but mine are.....from pool, 1st 3 are 10", last one up to the pavers is 11". I find them very comfortable to climb, but as we age my wife recently convinced me to add a rail. The rail is really nice, I'm liking it for ease of exit. Per the picture I set it a bit to the side for two reasons. It makes pool exit still easier because it's easier to reach the rail from the side of the steps, and folks often place a hand on the deck for additional support. In that location it leaves room for one to splay themselves in the shallows of the steps. My wife loves the new rail (and the pool) (and me, usually) If someone does the rail, make sure they electrically bond it to the rest of the bonding grid. Good luck with the reno!