Advent of the portable swim spa
Today, most manufacturers are realizing growth in the swim spa category and how portable designs have further potential to increase sales. These above-ground units provide everyday customers the ability to enjoy the benefits of a swim spa without having to deal with additional complications and costs incurred with an inground or indoor unit.
A portable swim spa also provides another option for homeowners whose backyards cannot accommodate an inground pool. As residential properties continue to shrink and the benefits of portable swim spas—such as ease of installation and serviceability, energy efficiency (as most cabinets are insulated) and protection from rodents—become more apparent, the portable swim spa category has the potential to experience growth similar to what the portable hot tub industry saw in the late 1990s.
Challenges to overcome
Portable swim spas do come with their own unique set of challenges, and most of which are related to esthetics. How can a 5.2- x 2.4-m swim spa—standing 1.2-m (4-ft) high and 2.7-m (9-ft) wide—be installed to look like it was a planned backyard feature, as opposed to an afterthought?
One strategy that seems to offer a successful transition from inground and indoor installations is to incorporate a portable swim spa into a new or existing deck. In North America, there are hundreds of thousands of decks being built every year; it would be easy for a customer, even one with limited space in his or her backyard, to integrate a portable swim spa into a deck installation.
Another challenge to overcome is the removal of the swim spa’s hardcover. These covers can be awkward, heavy and difficult to store; however, they are necessary in every installation, as they provide a layer of safety and additional energy efficiency benefits.
For consumers in southern climates, there are a variety of options available for those willing to invest in an automatic cover remover. However, these covers are not practical for northern climates with heavy snow loads. Currently, there are no solutions to ease the removal of a swim spa hardcover; for sales to increase, this is the last hurdle the industry must overcome.
As more manufacturers start offering portable units and retailers begin displaying them in their showrooms, sales will only continue to grow.
Doug Gillespie is the general manager, territory development manager and corporate sales trainer for Hydropool Industries in Mississauga, Ont., a manufacturer of spas and swim spas. He can be reached at dgillespie@hydropoolhottubs.com.
