Pool rental marketplace Swimply has created the ultimate side hustle for homeowners. Spending upwards of $100,000 to create the ultimate luxury outdoor living area is an investment some are willing to make. This is especially true if one can be confident they will recoup that investment quickly. Renting the pool to friends and neighbors is one smart way to do just that.

The Pool Rental Concept

Pool rentals are sweeping the nation and the innovative online marketplace Swimply is leading the charge. Described as “Airbnb of swimming pools,” Swimply debuted last year. According to the firm, there are over 20,000 swimming pools in all 50 states, as well as in Canada and Australia.

After recently raising $40M in funding from AirBnB and Lime co-founders last year, Swimply is poised for tremendous growth moving into 2023. The service has been rapidly gaining traction with consumers who are attracted by the ability to rent a swimming pool by the hour.

Swimply’s Business Model is Unique

In the sharing economy, Swimply, definitely deserves recognition for their offering. Providing a marketplace that allows buyers and sellers to connect and rent a pool is at the core of the company’s business plan. The model is simple, Swimply takes 15% of the booking fee from hosts and 10% from guests.

Swimply’s pool rental marketplace can be lucrative for hosts and may not be as weird as it sounds. As water recreational facilities were shut down by COVID in the last two years, Swimply has emerged to fill the vacuum. Consequently, the company has grown exponentially.

We spoke with Swimply Co-Founder and COO Asher Weinberger last year about the revolutionary new technology which is connecting homeowners with an open marketplace of consumers looking to rent a backyard for a few hours.

Listen to our conversation on the Pool Magazine podcast:

Pool Rental Marketplace Grew 5,000% During Covid

After a soft launch back in 2019, Weinberger quickly realized that the public was elated with their offering. “There was a tremendous amount of interest and at the time we could only meet 10 to 15% of the demand,” said Weinberger. “That helped set the stage for us because we learned a lot about what people wanted and how they were using the platform.”

“We caught huge tailwinds in light of Covid and grew roughly 5,000% year over year,” said Weinberger. Since then, Swimply’s marketplace has exploded with consumers searching for a safe recreational experience with friends and loved ones in an open outdoor setting. This has been true both on the guest side and the host side.

Homeowners Look To Monetize Their Pool

It appears that word has definitely begun to spread that renting your pool is a sweet new side hustle. One man in particular recently made the news after he reportedly netted $177,000 just by renting out his pool and backyard.

Jim Battan of West Linn, Oregon, told news sources, “I love to say that the pool has paid for itself and more. I built a man cave last year, and also credit that to my Swimply pool.”

Swimply As a Side Hustle

Being a Swimply host isn’t for everyone, according to Battan. The side hustle does require a fair amount of work on the part of the host. Maintaining the pool between guests involves much more than simply setting out fresh towels. His 26-foot by 18-foot pool and its accompanying pool house has cost him roughly $37,000 in maintenance over the last decade. On a typical week, Battan estimates that he and his wife Lisa spend approximately 12 to 14 hours cleaning and testing the water’s chemicals as well as managing all of their bookings.

“I love the income, but I generally caution people from it,” Battan told reporters. “Unless you’re retired or don’t have a day job, it takes a lot of time to learn about pool chemistry and management. It’s not good enough to just rely on a once-a-week service to come out look at your stuff. I look at my pool chemicals probably five to 10 times a day.”

Renting Your Pool By The Hour Can Be Profitable

It’s also important to note that Battan’s pool represents the best-case scenario. Currently, he’s Swimply’s top earner out of 25,000 pools in the U.S., Canada, and Australia. The average host earnings are between $10,000 to $20,000 per year.

Ned Gilardino is another top earner from Aurora, Colorado who is cashing in on the lucrative side hustle. Last year he rented his pool out roughly 500 times clearing close to $50,000 in the process.

“Not only has the extra money paid for the cost of maintaining the pool,” Gilardino told news sources, “it has actually brought in an entire new revenue stream for my family.”

Homeowners who are looking for MSI’s (multiple sources of income) can certainly put Swimply on their list of resources. Typically most swimming pools on the platform rent between $15 and $75 an hour. However, there appears to be no limit on how much hosts can earn. We’ve seen some pools in premium areas such as Beverly Hills rent for as much as $200 an hour. Those with luxury amenities in their backyard obviously can charge towards the higher end of the spectrum.

Guests can search for an ideal backyard in their price range to throw a pool party and even filter their search to show properties that have specific amenities. Finding a backyard with a fire pit, or an outdoor grilling area, or one that allows pets, is easy. Swimply made it simple to narrow down selections with the ideal features consumers are looking for.

The interface is simple and intuitive to use on both ends. Swimply also made it super easy for homeowners to track their reservations, communicate with guests and quickly get their pool rental up in their easy-to-use marketplace.

Swimply’s Contribution To The Shared Economy

Given that public pools are closing at an alarming rate, Swimply has also started filling a gap in underserved communities, much the way Uber and other sharing economy platforms have.

While the shared economy is a young concept itself; Swimply’s arrival simply ushers something we will undoubtedly see even more of in years to come. Though unexpected and a newcomer; one thing is certain, homeowners and consumers have embraced the concept of renting a pool by the hour.

A man was found dead after being swallowed by a sinkhole that opened up in a private swimming pool. The incident transpired in Israel where authorities are still trying to figure out what caused two men to be swept away by the receding water after a sinkhole sprang up within an inground swimming pool at a private property in central Israel. One was recovered dead at the scene on Thursday afternoon.

The body was located by search crews in the town of Karmei Yosef after a four-hour recovery operation conducted by rescue personnel who were lowered deep underground. The search was hampered by concerns that tunnels extending from the sinkhole could lead to a second collapse.

It took rescuers several hours of searching before they were able to uncover the body of the man who had gone missing. The other 34-year-old man who had been trapped for some time, was saved and treated for minor injuries to his lower body.

Employees of a private company were having a pool party when the incident occurred. About 50 people were present at the time of the accident, according to one guest.

“The water level suddenly started receding and a hole opened up, creating a vortex that swept two people inside,” the guest told news sources.

תיעוד: כך נפער הבור בכרמי יוסף@daniel_elazar pic.twitter.com/b1QdkrBBad

— כאן חדשות (@kann_news) July 21, 2022

She said a sinkhole opened a vortex formed which swallowed up the victim in a matter of seconds. She yelled at her coworkers to get out of the pool as the sinkhole emerged, but they initially assumed it was a game. Authorities say, fortunately, there were only 6 people in the pool at the time or injuries and casualties could have been far greater.

“Seconds later, the ground just dropped… I watched two people just disappear,” she added.

According to police, an investigtion into the incident is currently underway, and they plan to find out if the pool was operating with the proper license.

People love their dogs and man’s best friend fits right in around the home. Consequently, many feel that their swimming pool is a natural extension. After all, your dog enjoys the rest of the backyard; therefore, why should the pool be off limits?

While your pool may be a welcome and inviting retreat for guests and members of your family, bringing your dog in for a swim may not necessarily be a good idea according to experts.

Myth – All Dogs Are Natural Swimmers

One thing is true, dogs in general, are usually pretty good at swimming. Some breeds such as the Labrador are even considered great swimmers. However, it’s a myth that all dogs can swim. Just like people, some are better at it than others. In general, there are a few dog breeds that are not very proficient at swimming at all.

Some Dog Breeds Have Trouble Swimming In The Pool

While the Basset Hound, Boxer, Bulldog, Dachshund, Pug, and Pekingese are some of the most popular dogs; these breeds typically have more difficulty when it comes to swimming. This is due to their anatomy and facial structure which is less suited for swimming than their canine cousins. While dogs who are not proficient by nature can be trained to swim, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they will truly enjoy it.

Reasons To Keep Dogs Out of The Pool

• Animal fur can clog your pool filter and make maintenance more difficult.
• Sharp nails and claws can damage your pool liner or interior finish.
• Not all dogs can swim.
• Dogs are more sensitive to chlorine.
• 1 Dog = 50 People in the swimming pool which makes sanitization harder.
• Dogs can easily drown when unattended.
• Recreational Water Illness can be easier transmitted.

A startling statistic is that over 5,000 pets drown in swimming pools each year. Consequently, the swimming pool may actually impose more of a danger than a benefit when it comes to your pet. Dogs also have the potential to “dry drown” which can happen when they get water in their lungs while swimming. Issues like inflammation, infection and other problems can arise up to a week later. This can happen even with dogs who are proficient swimmers during horseplay in the pool. What most experts usually recommend for those water-bound pups who enjoy the pool is that they wear a life jacket suitable for dogs. The American Kennel Club recommends this both in the pool as well as around natural bodies of water.

Letting Your Dog Swim In Rivers & Lakes

Allowing your dog to swim at the lake or river may also be a potentially bad call. A lesson that pet owners in North Carolina learned last month when a toxic algae bloom killed several dogs that had been swimming in Jordan Lake.

When dogs drink from or just swim in contaminated water, they might become poisoned according to the ASPCA. Blue-green algae can cause severe brain or hepatic damage if consumed.

Water Sanitary Issues of Swimming With Dogs

We’ve discussed the health and well-being of dogs when it comes to pools as well as safety concerns, but what of the water sanitary issues that come from allowing pets in the pool? Is it safe for family and guests to swim in the pool with dogs?

“Having just one dog in the pool is the same equivalent of having a raging pool party with 50 people,” said Cole Daasnes of Poseidon Pool Service, “Dogs typically carry dirt, oils, and bacteria in their fur and paws which really have no place in the pool. This is in addition to their fur which can clog your filter and make it tougher to keep your pool clean.”

Dogs in The Pool: Health & Safety Issues

Pet owners who enjoy swimming with their dogs should be aware of the safety and maintenance issues. Keeping the pool clean for swimmers after a pet has been in the pool should be of top priority. Dogs do not have the same control over their bodily functions that people do and may urinate in the pool. They also frequently have fecal matter clinging to their fur which can contaminate the water and lead to Recreational Water Illnesses (RWI’s) such as E. coli, Hepatitis A, Cryptosporidium, and Giardia.

When weighing the pros and cons, there are reasons why some pool owners allow their dogs to swim in their pool. While swimming is a fun and healthy activity, dogs are liable to enjoy a safer recreational activity like just being allowed to play at the park or going for a walk.

Alternatives To Consider

If you are going to allow your pet in the pool, consider purchasing a pool float for dogs that allows them to keep you company poolside without actually getting in the water. Some folks have even built pools specifically for their dogs to enjoy separately from the one the family uses. Another good idea is to purchase a pool alarm that will notify you if your pets accidentally get into the swimming pool.

Best Advice When Swimming With Dogs

While we’re a big fan of man’s best friend, the best advice is don’t, and for all of the aforementioned reasons. If however, you do insist on swimming with your dog, shower immediately after and make sure to bathe your dog as well. Also never throw your dog into the pool, it can shock them and cause them to immediately

Chemically Treat Your Pool After Dogs Swim

It’s always a good idea to give your swimming pool a liberal dose of shock after dogs swim in it, the same as you would after a large pool party. Remember to keep your chlorine around 1-3 ppm and keep your pH and alkalinity balanced.