The Pros and Cons of Diving Pools
- mike
- Mar 19
- 4 min read
The Pros and Cons of Diving Pools
(And Why They’re Becoming Less Common)
If you grew up with a pool—or even just remember pools from 10–20 years ago—you probably picture this: A deep end. A diving board. Kids jumping in all summer. And naturally, many homeowners still ask:
“Should we build a diving pool?” But here’s the truth most pool companies won’t say upfront:
Diving pools are one of the most misunderstood—and often impractical—choices in today’s market.
That doesn’t mean they’re bad. It just means they’re very specific in who they’re right for.
Let’s break it down the pros and cons of diving pools.
What Is a Diving Pool?
A diving pool is designed with a deep end—typically 8’ to 10’ or more—specifically to accommodate diving boards or jumping safely. To do this properly, the pool must include:
A deep hopper (diving well)
Specific slope transitions
Strict safety dimensions and clearances
It’s not just “a deeper pool”—it’s a completely different design philosophy.
The Pros of Diving Pools
1. You Can Dive (Obviously—but It Matters)
Let’s start with the obvious one.
If you want a diving board… this is your only option.
And for some families, that’s a big deal:
Kids love it
It adds energy and excitement
It creates a classic “pool experience”
2. More Vertical Space = Different Kind of Fun
Most modern pools are shallow or moderately deep.
A diving pool gives you:
Depth for jumping
Underwater space
A totally different feel
It’s not just swimming—it’s movement and play in 3D.
3. Appeals to Certain Buyers (Nostalgia Factor)
There’s a segment of buyers who specifically want:
A diving board
A traditional deep-end pool
For them, it’s a major selling point.
4. Cooler Water in Summer
Deeper water heats up slower.
In hot stretches, the deep end can feel:
Cooler
More refreshing
Especially compared to:
Flat-bottom pools
Tanning ledges
The Cons of Diving Pools
This is where things get real—and why you see fewer of them today.
1. You Lose a Lot of Usable Space
This is the biggest downside—and most people don’t realize it.
To safely accommodate diving:
A large portion of the pool becomes a deep, non-standing area
That means:
Less space for lounging
Less space for kids
Less usable area overall
In many cases: Half the pool becomes unusable for standing or socializing
2. Not Ideal for How Most People Use Pools Today
Let’s be honest about modern pool use:
Most people are:
Relaxing
Socializing
Sitting in shallow water
Watching kids
👉 Not diving all day.
So you end up with:
A feature used occasionally
At the expense of everyday usability
3. Increased Safety Concerns
This is a big reason the industry has shifted away from diving pools.
Greater risk of injury
Strict safety requirements
Liability concerns
Many builders:
Avoid diving pools altogether
Or heavily limit diving board installations
4. More Complex (and Expensive) Construction
Diving pools require:
Deeper excavation
More material
Specific engineering for slopes and depths
👉 This typically means:
Higher upfront cost
More complexity during installation
5. Harder to Maintain
Deeper pools can mean:
More water volume
Harder cleaning in the deep end
More energy to circulate and heat
Not dramatically harder—but noticeably different.
6. Limited Compatibility with Modern Features
This is where diving pools really fall behind today’s designs.
You’ll often have to compromise on:
Tanning ledges
Large social benches
Open play areas
It becomes a trade-off:Diving vs modern usability
7. Not Available in Most Fiberglass Pools
This is a big one.
Most fiberglass pool models do NOT support diving boards except for the River Pools T40.
Why?
Depth limitations
Structural design constraints
So if you want a diving pool: You’re typically looking at concrete (gunite) construction or limited fiberglass pool models.
So… Is a Diving Pool Right for You?
✅ It’s a Good Fit If You:
Specifically want a diving board
Value jumping and deep water play
Prefer a traditional pool design
Understand the trade-offs in usable space
❌ It’s Probably Not Right If You:
Want to maximize usable space
Have young kids or mixed swimming abilities
Prefer relaxation and social use
Want features like tanning ledges
Are considering a fiberglass pool
Why You See Fewer Diving Pools Today
Let’s zoom out for a second. The industry has shifted because: Homeowners’ priorities have changed
From:
Diving
Deep ends
To:
Lounging
Socializing
Multi-use space
And pool designs have followed that shift.
The Moral of the Story
Diving pools aren’t bad. They’re just specialized. If diving is something you truly value and will use often: It can be a great choice. But if it’s just a “nice-to-have”… You may be giving up a lot of everyday usability for something you rarely use. The best pool isn’t the one that looks the most exciting on day one.
It’s the one you’ll use the most on day 100… and day 1,000. And for most homeowners today?
That’s not a diving pool.
SHAMELESS CALL TO ACTION
If you are ready to dive in and explore the possibilities of fiberglass pool ownership don't hesitate to call Pool Pros today @ 920-771-0107. Our in house pool designers are waiting to help create the outdoor living area of your dreams. When Quality Counts, Count on Pool Pros.
AUTHOR BIO
Mike Bowers is the founder and owner of Pool Pros Inc. in Green Bay, Wisconsin. He has spent 29 years installing and servicing swimming pools throughout Northeast Wisconsin. Is an Advanced Certified Building Professional, Certified Service Professional, Licensed General Contractor, Father to 4 beautiful children and Husband to the one and only "PoolWife" Lysti.
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