There are many features you can include on a gunite pool. The days of just diving boards and slides don’t exist anymore. Perhaps you have a modern pool with natural features and rock. You might be finding yourself thinking about alternatives to the standard diving board. The pool dive rock or, jump rock, is one of the features that has grown in popularity over the last 20 years.
What Is A Pool Dive Rock?
A pool dive rock is a large, flat rock that is placed at the deep end of a swimming pool. These are commonly used to create a diving board-like experience. Pool dive rocks are specifically designed to be safe for use in pools. These differ from diving boards by the variety of sizes and shapes available. They can be customized to match the look of your pool. Dive rocks are a great way to add excitement to your pool and provide a safe place for diving.
How To Plan For A Pool Dive Rock
When designing a pool for a diving rock or jump rock you must plan as if you’re installing a diving board. The clearances required are laid out in the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC). Typically the pool dive rock will be a 2’ x 3’ or larger piece of stone set into the top coping edge of the pool. There will be a little overhang into the pool. Keep in mind it’s a good idea to make certain that anyone who uses the rock knows it’s not for diving. This is why it’s always a good idea to refer to them as jump rocks, and not diving rocks.
There is no restriction on what type of pool you install the rock on other than the depths and clearances. You can install pool dive rocks on angular pools, free formed pools, and anything in between. Many homeowners think they are only for the free form pools or natural swimming pools. However, a large slab of granite looks great on an angular pool as well and can really set your project apart from the rest.
How Much Does A Pool Dive Rock Cost?
Expect to pay around $2,000 to $10,000 for the pool dive rock depending on the type of stone and the size. It’s not uncommon for exceptionally large stones to require additional engineering for the pool walls to support them, and for the installation to require a large crane to install the rock.
Summary
Jump rocks and dive rocks are excellent, fun features for the people using your pool. They also add to the aesthetic in your backyard. You can mimic the same rock in other places such as around plantings and other accent locations. Don’t hesitate to incorporate large boulders into any landscape. Properly placed boulders never look out of place.