| Not only is swimming one of the most popular | | | | competition. Quite often, homeowners today |
| activities worldwide, it's also one of the oldest | | | | want a pool for pleasure alone. In fact, it has been |
| pastimes, dating as far back a 2500 B.C. Vivid | | | | said that 90% of an owner's enjoyment is not |
| depictions of swimming have been found in relics | | | | swimming or being in the pool but rather looking |
| from ancient Egypt, and there is evidence of | | | | at it. The shimmering water tends to have a |
| swimming in Rome, Assyria, Greece, and many | | | | soothing effect all its own. A pool setting offers a |
| other ancient cultures including Babylonia and | | | | unique atmosphere that is conducive to a relaxing |
| Phoenicia. In Japan, competitive swimming existed | | | | time out from life's hectic pace, perfect for |
| as far back as 2000 years ago. | | | | sharing a lazy afternoon alone or with friends, or |
| The first swimming pool was built by the Romans, | | | | for hosting a fun and casual gathering. |
| who along with the Greeks required swimming as | | | | Using a home pool for exercise is an added bonus. |
| part of the education of young boys. In the first | | | | Swimming is one of the best ways to work |
| century B.C., a wealthy Roman lord named Gaius | | | | multiple muscle groups at once, and it's usually far |
| Maecenas built the first heated swimming pool. | | | | more enjoyable than less productive workouts |
| Quite notable among ancient pools are the | | | | such as walking on a treadmill at the gym. Water |
| "Kuttam Pokuna" (Twin Pools), built in the ancient | | | | aerobics offers another fun way to burn calories |
| kingdom of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka in the 4th | | | | and build muscle, again more fun than many of |
| century B.C. These amazing pools featured a | | | | the alternatives. |
| sophisticated filter system that served to both | | | | Regardless of how a pool is used, cleanliness is |
| clean the water and recycle it to nearby rice | | | | top priority. Sparkling water certainly enhances the |
| fields. | | | | beauty, but more important is making sure the |
| Leaping forward in time, more modern day | | | | pool water stays safe and healthy. Fortunately, |
| swimming pools began gaining popularity in Europe | | | | this doesn't involve hours and hours of exhausting |
| in the mid 19th century. Swim clubs came into | | | | manual labor. Learning to maintain the right pH |
| existence, and in 1837 a few indoor pools with | | | | balance is a must, and addition of chlorine helps |
| diving boards were located in London. However, it | | | | alleviate some of the burden on the pool filter. |
| was the swimming events in the 1896 Olympics | | | | The presence of calcium levels and the |
| that sparked widespread interest in pools. | | | | acidic-alkaline balance must be monitored. |
| Much later, after World War II, home owners in | | | | Use of an automatic pool cleaner can rapidly |
| the United States began to install backyard | | | | perform the work of sanitizing the pool without |
| swimming pools. No small amount of credit goes | | | | great effort by the pool owner. Unless you |
| to the famous actress Esther Williams. Her film | | | | actually enjoy tedious pool maintenance, an |
| "Million Dollar Mermaid" established the private | | | | automatic pool cleaner is an essential accessory. |
| home pool as a status symbol, and other | | | | We've come a long way since 2500 B.C. |
| Hollywood movies promoted consumer desire for | | | | Thankfully, modern equipment enables pool |
| personal pools and growth of the industry. | | | | owners to spend far less time working on the |
| The demand for pools today often has little to do | | | | pool and much more time enjoying it. |
| with needing a practice place for athletic | | | | |