News
This Year National Pool Opening Day is April 29th
Learn more about National Pool Opening Day
Summer is just around the corner, and for many homeowners, that means one thing: it’s time to open up the swimming pool! National Pool Opening Day, celebrated on the last Saturday of April each year, is a day to mark the beginning of the pool season and get your pool ready for months of fun in the sun. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at National Pool Opening Day, what it entails, and what homeowners need to do to ensure that they have a terrific summer enjoying their swimming pools.
What is National Pool Opening Day?
National Pool Opening Day was established by Leslie’s Swimming Pool Supplies in 2016 as a way to celebrate the joy of that first refreshing dip in the pool after a long winter and to promote the importance of maintaining safe and clean pools.
When Is National Pool Opening Day?
National Pool Opening Day is an annual event that takes place on the last Saturday of April, which falls on April 29th this year. It is a day dedicated to helping homeowners prepare their swimming pools for the summer season, ensuring that they are safe, clean, and ready for use. This day is an excellent opportunity for pool owners to perform necessary maintenance tasks and get their pools in top shape for the upcoming months of swimming, lounging, and entertaining.
Swimming pools have always been one of the more popular ways to relax, exercise, and have fun in a private setting. Before you open your pool for the summer take the necessary steps to ensure that your swimming pool is ready for use and meets the highest safety and hygiene standards.

10 Tips For Opening Your Swimming Pool
Preparing your pool for National Pool Opening Day involves several essential steps to ensure that it is safe, clean, and ready for use. Here are some key tasks that homeowners need to do to get their pools in top shape for the summer:
- Remove Debris: Before you start any maintenance tasks, it’s essential to remove any debris from your pool. This includes leaves, sticks, dirt, and other debris that may have accumulated over the winter months. Use a pool skimmer or a pool net to remove debris from the surface of the water and clean out the skimmer baskets and pump strainer basket.
- Check Water Chemistry: Proper water chemistry is crucial for maintaining a safe and clean swimming pool. Test the water for pH, chlorine, alkalinity, and calcium hardness levels using a reliable pool testing kit. Adjust the chemical levels as needed to ensure that they fall within the recommended range. Balanced water chemistry will help prevent the growth of algae, bacteria, and other harmful microorganisms, ensuring that your pool water is safe for swimming.
- Clean the Pool Walls and Floor: Use a pool brush or pool vacuum to clean the walls and floor of your pool. This will help remove any dirt, algae, or other contaminants that may have accumulated over the winter months. Pay special attention to areas that are prone to algae growth, such as corners, steps, and around the pool ladder.
- Inspect and Clean Pool Equipment: Check all your pool equipment, including the pump, filter, and heater, for any signs of damage or wear. Clean or replace the pool filter as needed, and check for leaks or other issues with the pool pump and heater. Properly functioning pool equipment is essential for maintaining water clarity and preventing pool problems.
- Check Safety Features: Safety should always be a top priority when it comes to swimming pools. Take the time to inspect and test all safety features of your pool, including the pool fence, gate, pool cover, and pool alarm. Ensure that they are in good condition and functioning correctly. If you don’t have safety features in place, consider installing them to prevent accidents and ensure the safety of swimmers, especially children.
- Plan for Maintenance: Having a maintenance plan in place is essential to keep your pool in top shape throughout the summer season. Create a schedule for regular pool maintenance tasks, such as skimming the pool surface, cleaning the pool walls and floor, checking and adjusting chemical levels, and inspecting and cleaning pool equipment. Follow the maintenance schedule consistently to prevent any issues from arising and to ensure that your pool stays clean and safe for swimming.
- Update Pool Safety Rules: As you prepare your pool for the summer season, it’s also a good time to review and update your pool safety rules. Make sure that all swimmers, especially children, are aware of the safety rules and guidelines for using the pool. Emphasize the importance of never swimming alone, using appropriate flotation devices, and avoiding dangerous behaviors, such as running or diving in shallow areas. Enforce the rules consistently to ensure the safety of all pool users.
- Prepare for Pool Parties: With the summer season comes the possibility of hosting pool parties and gatherings. If you plan to entertain guests in your pool, make sure to plan ahead. Check the pool deck for any hazards, such as slippery surfaces or loose tiles, and repair them if needed. Ensure that you have enough seating, umbrellas, and other amenities for your guests. Review your pool safety rules with your guests and have proper supervision during pool parties to prevent accidents.
- Consider Energy-efficient Upgrades: National Pool Opening Day is also an excellent time to consider making energy-efficient upgrades to your pool. Upgrading to a variable speed pool pump, using a pool cover to reduce evaporation and heat loss, and installing LED lights can all help to save energy and reduce operating costs. These upgrades can also be environmentally friendly and contribute to a more sustainable pool operation.
- Hire a Professional: If you are not confident in your ability to properly open and maintain your pool, or if you simply prefer to have a professional do the job, consider hiring a pool pro. A qualified pool service technician can ensure that your pool is opened and maintained according to industry standards, and can save you time and effort in the process. They can also identify any potential issues and provide solutions before they become bigger problems.
National Pool Opening Day is an important event for homeowners to mark the beginning of the pool season and ensure that their swimming pools are safe, clean, and ready for use. By following the essential steps of removing debris, checking water chemistry, cleaning the pool walls and floor, inspecting and cleaning pool equipment, checking safety features, planning for maintenance, updating pool safety rules, preparing for pool parties, considering energy-efficient upgrades, and hiring a professional if needed, homeowners can ensure that they have a terrific summer enjoying their swimming pools.
Remember, safety should always be a top priority when it comes to swimming pools, so take the time to properly maintain your pool and enforce safety rules to ensure that everyone can enjoy the pool season to the fullest. Happy National Pool Opening Day, and here’s to a splashing summer ahead!
Manufacturer
Soake Pools Partners with Slipstream to Elevate At-Home Wellness
The Leading Precast Plunge Pool Manufacturer Partners with Slipstream to Bring Swim Technology to Its Premium Plunge Pools
Pembroke, N.H. — April 22, 2026 — Soake Pools, the leader in luxury precast plunge pools, announces a new partnership with Slipstream, the first portable swimming machine that transforms any pool into an endless swim lane. This collaboration introduces Slipstream’s advanced drop-in swim current system as a seamless enhancement to Soake Pools’ premium concrete plunge pool offerings, creating a powerful, new option for water fitness at home with space-saving convenience.
Slipstream’s battery-powered, portable system transforms virtually any compatible pool into an active swimming environment with a fully adjustable speed current that is both wide and smooth. The easy, tool-free setup allows users to install or remove the device in seconds, making it a flexible and accessible upgrade for both new and existing pool owners.
The partnership further diversifies Soake Pools’ Fitness & Wellness program by expanding the range of options available to customers beyond the existing Complete Static Swim System. The distinct experiences offered by the Static Swim and Slipstream enhance the versatility of exercise in Soake Pools.
“This partnership allows us to offer our customers an entirely new way to enjoy their Soake Pool,” said Karen Larson, co-founder of Soake Pools. “By integrating Slipstream, we’re expanding the possibilities for water exercise while collaborating with a like-minded company that shares our commitment to helping homeowners create a truly personalized wellness experience at home. After hosting a unit in our Experience Center, it quickly became one of the most popular features for guests to try, reinforcing the strong demand for this type of offering.”
As part of the partnership, Soake customers will receive an exclusive $250 discount on Slipstream systems. Owners and prospective Soake Pools customers can fill out an online form to receive their offer, which can be stacked onto any active sales.
“Recognizing the strong alignment between both brands, we saw an opportunity to bring our fitness capabilities and deliver a differentiated solution to Soake Pools customers,” said James Murdock, Founder of Slipstream. “We’re promoting performance and overall wellness while redefining what’s possible in the at-home pool industry.”
With a shared focus on health and personalized fitness, Soake Pools and Slipstream are bringing the benefits of low-impact exercise and performance swimming to more homeowners than ever before.
To learn more about Soake Pools and Slipstream, please visit soakepools.com and swimslipstream.com.
About Soake Pools: Karen and Brian Larson, Co-Founders of Soake® Pools, created the company from the ground up in 2014, deeming them the first company to offer hand-tiled precast concrete plunge pools for the home. Today, Soake Pools is the leading prefabricated plunge pool manufacturer in North America, designing luxury, space-saving pools for year-round use and enjoyment. The team proudly continues its legacy, revolutionizing the industry, offering a steady stream of new dimensions, unparalleled luxury finishes, and a litany of safety, aesthetic, and user-friendly functionalities. Each Soake Pools plunge pool is made to order in New England using state-of-the-art tiles and proprietary concrete, entirely customizable, delivered pre-built and ready to install. Designed to be enjoyed year-round, Soake Pools are equipped with the adjustability for a hot dip in the winter and a cold, refreshing plunge in the summer, and can even provide athletic training with resistance system offerings. Soake Pool’s bespoke, monolithic concrete design offers accessibility in both size and pricing, sustainability in terms of the saltwater contents, lower water usage, and variable speed pumps, offering flexibility with countless physical and mental wellness benefits and, undoubtedly, increased home value.
About Slipstream: Slipstream Swim Machines is redefining the at-home swimming experience with a new generation of portable, high-performance swim technology. Created by James Murdock—the innovator behind Endless Pools—Slipstream represents over 30 years of advancement in swim-in-place systems, delivering a smoother, more natural current in a powerful, easy-to-use design. Engineered for simplicity and versatility, Slipstream’s battery-powered swim machines can be placed in virtually any pool—inground or above-ground—without the need for construction, wiring, or permanent installation. The system creates a consistent, adjustable current suitable for all levels, from beginners and families to competitive swimmers, triathletes, and rehabilitation users. Designed to remove the barriers of traditional swim systems, Slipstream combines portability, quiet operation, and performance in a lightweight format that brings year-round swim training and low-impact aquatic fitness into the home. By eliminating the need for shared lanes, travel to pools, and flip turns, Slipstream enables a continuous swim experience that is both convenient and highly effective. With a commitment to innovation, accessibility, and user-focused design, Slipstream Swim Machines is leading the next evolution of swimming—empowering individuals to train, recover, and enjoy the water on their own terms.
News
Landmark Aquatic Taps Waterpark Industry Veteran Craig Nielsen
With 25 Years of Hands-On Experience and an Owner-Operator Perspective, Nielsen Brings Unmatched Expertise as Landmark Enters the Next Era of Waterpark Innovation
Landmark Aquatic is pleased to now have Craig Nielsen as Vice President of Strategic Partnerships. Nielsen founded and led CEM Aquatics for over 25 years before CEM’s acquisition by Landmark in early 2026. Bringing a rare blend of design, construction, and owner-operator experience to Landmark’s leadership team, Nielsen’s elevation to this role signals Landmark’s commitment to leading the waterpark industry through what Nielsen calls its most exciting period of transformation yet.
Nielsen has watched the waterpark industry evolve from the ground up. “In the early 2000s, the model was remarkably consistent — flume slides, tube rides, lazy rivers, and a snack bar,” he recalls. “The most sophisticated technology on the property was probably the water chemistry controller.” The first seismic shift came when brands like Great Wolf Lodge inverted the traditional waterpark model, making the indoor waterpark the hotel’s core amenity rather than a side attraction. “Suddenly, a family destination that once operated 90 days a year was generating revenue 365 days a year — making it a fundamentally different business.”
Today, the competitive field has widened dramatically. Hotel chains, casino operators, cruise lines, and mixed-use real estate developers are all investing in waterparks as proven drivers of occupancy and revenue. Nielsen speaks from firsthand experience as co-owner of Cowabunga Canyon in Summerlin and Cowabunga Park in Henderson, Nevada. “Consumers today are often selecting their vacation resorts based on the waterpark offerings,” he says. “The secret is out — waterparks attract people, and everyone is building them.”
Looking ahead, Nielsen points to surf parks, next-generation adventure rivers, and AI-powered guest experiences as the defining frontiers of waterpark development. “Surf parks today are where indoor waterpark resorts were in the early 2000s — those who embrace them in the next three to five years will have a significant first-mover advantage,” he says. On technology, Nielsen is equally bullish: “AI is already improving everything from water chemistry to pump operations.
Soon, interactive AI experiences that track guests, create competitions, and reward participation will become the norm — it’s genuinely exciting.”
It is precisely this convergence of technology, capital, and consumer appetite that Nielsen intends to help Landmark Aquatic navigate. “Technology, capital, and a genuinely evolved consumer appetite for water-based experiences are converging in a way I haven’t seen in 25 years,” he says. “The barriers that once limited this industry — seasonality, demographic reach, geographic constraints — are all disappearing simultaneously. The wave is building, and I’m proud to help Landmark ride it.”
About Landmark Aquatic
Landmark Aquatic is a premier provider of commercial aquatic facility design, construction, and maintenance, with more than six decades of industry leadership. Serving clients nationwide, Landmark delivers construction-led solutions supported by its CPO-certified AquatiCare maintenance team, ensuring excellence “for the life of your pool.” Committed to the full lifecycle of every facility, Landmark prioritizes long-term partnerships while adapting to client needs through exceptional service, operational excellence, and forward-thinking solutions.
Contact info:
Website: www.landmarkaquatic.com
Email: [email protected]
News
RENOLIT Offers Natural Pool reinforced PVC membrane
RENOLIT is pleased to offer its ‘Natural Pool’ collection of reinforced membranes specifically developed to be used on ‘natural’ or ‘bio’ swimming pools and ponds. Manufactured without biocides or fungicides, this product is completely compatible and safe to use with plants and aquatic life. The ‘Natural Pool’ product is a non-toxic polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pool membrane created to help builders and landscape designers easily offer this trending ‘natural swimming pool’ to environmentally conscious consumers.
A natural swimming pool is a constructed body of water that replicates the conditions found in naturally occurring ponds or lakes and optimizes these conditions to provide high water quality for bathers. The system is often completely chemical-free, with no devices that disinfect or sterilize the water (e.g. UV, ozone, ionizers, etc.).
For the most successful ‘natural swimming pool’ applications, the pool interior needs to be non-porous. As a result, a PVC membrane is ideal rather than plaster or gunite which are both porous and allow excessive biofilm growth, making it difficult to keep the pool clean.
Natural swimming pools are becoming more popular as consumers demand more sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives. Advancements in biofiltration and PVC membranes are making these pools more accessible and efficient. Learn more at https://renolit-alkorplan.com/collections/natural-pool
Phone number: (219) 324-6886 I Website: https://renolit-alkorplan.com/
Location: LaPorte, Indiana
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