Even though it’s most often a part of summer, swimming is an activity people enjoy all year round. Indoor pools that are heated and even an outdoor pool in warm climates are popular year-round.

If you own a small fibreglass pool (even if it’s just a large spa) you can splash even when it’s snowing!

If you want to enjoy your outdoor pool all year, ask your local pool contractor about options for heating it. Even if you do live in a warmer area, a heated outdoor pool may make activities such as night swimming more comfortable, so inquire about your options. Traditional methods include heat pumps and gas heaters, but why not try solar-powered heaters as they are the most cost-effective method of heating your pool, especially if you live in the north of Australia.

The only time when it’s not safe to swim in your pool – as long as you can stand the cold if it’s unheated – is when the purifying chemical in the pool (chlorine) fails to contain the growth of harmful bacteria. If you monitor your pool all year round, whether you have an above ground pool or an in ground pool, it’s safe to swim in it. However, if you detect a ‘chlorine’ smell that’s really strong, then you may have to ‘shock treat’ your pool with super chlorination, or even drain it. Because, ironically, that smell is not ‘good’ chlorine at all, but a type of chemical produced when chlorine levels are low and it reacts with bodily fluids and other waste.

The twin factors against swimming all seasons of the year, including winter, are freezing water and pool pollution. If you get those two elements under control, with solar heating and correct chlorination, you can enjoy a dip whenever you want.