Savvier, sportier and more social
How pool owners are winning
Ask any pool owner if they love their pool and they’re sure to tell you ‘yes’… but why exactly is that?
People that own pools, love pools and there’s no two ways about it. It’s hard to get cut and dried numbers on such a subjective topic but a few years back pool and spa specialist Swimart were determined to find out why that love endures. They conducted a survey of 200 pool owners across Australia to find out what people thought of their pools and how they used them.
Are pool owners savvier?
Yes, according to the survey, which found that 85% of respondents believed having a pool added around $30,000 to the value of their home. Nearly half (42%) said that a pool was a major deciding factor when looking and purchasing new property.
A 2018 Roy Morgan survey found that there are approximately 1.1 million residential swimming pools in Australia, which means (based on the survey’s metric of 2.5 people per household) there are at least 2.5 million people willing to pay a little extra for the pleasure of pool ownership – and that’s just existing owners. While for some people, pool ownership isn’t the dream, for many, many more, it is.
The Swimart study found that ‘value’ wasn’t just financial, it was also lifestyle, with half of the respondents using the pool for relaxing and one third for fostering quality family time.
Are pool owners sportier?
Sportier? Well, not necessarily sportier, but probably healthier. Swimming is consistently recognised as a great form of exercise and de-stressing activity. It not only offers opportunity to effectively burn calories and lower the risk of disease, but it’s low impact format and easy support of the body make it a great choice for all ages and fitness levels, meaning virtually anyone can jump in the pool and reap the benefits. Hydrotherapy is also powerful rehabilitation tool post-illness, injury or surgery.
Are pool owners more social?
Absolutely…even when they don’t want to be! Nothing draws family, friends and neighbours like a pool, as every owner knows. It’s a great way to connect and create memories – days spent lazing by the pool with a cool drink in hand, a cheeky midnight swim or a full-blown celebration to mark that special occasion will all be remembered for many years to come.
2020 – and 2021 – has been an eye-opening time for many of us, illustrating just how little control we have over our lives when faced with something like a global pandemic. For many pool owners, life was just that little bit easier to bear through lockdowns and travel restrictions…and if that’s not winning, I don’t know what is.