If you look back just 10 or 15 years ago in the swimming pool industry, you'll find that roughly 90% of all inground swimming pools had a diving board. But today, the trend has done an almost 180-degree turn.
Here at River Pools, we see 5 reasons why diving boards have now practically become extinct.
Why are diving boards going away?
- Pool safety
- Less play area
- Higher insurance
- Stiff diving boards
- Too much pool
1. Pool safety
In general, people do not own a swimming pool to add more stress to their life. Most want a tranquil place to relax and have fun.
Although diving boards can certainly be entertaining, they also raise stress levels for parents and supervisors, especially when many children are involved.
For obvious reasons, diving boards* have led to many accidents with potential for serious injury and bodily harm. It is estimated that from 2008-2020 there were more than 35,500 diving related injuries across the United States, and according to a study by Nationwide Children’s Hospital, 38% of injuries involve the head or neck and 22% were injuries to the face for those that are under 20 years old.
When discussing diving boards and the potential for injury, it’s more a matter of when, not if.
2. Less play area
What is considered the "play area" in a swimming pool? The play area is anywhere a person can stand with their head above water.
Studies have shown that most people will spend about 80% of their time in the play area of an inground pool.
Fact is, diving pools have very small play areas.
Let's say a diving pool consists of 1/3 shallow end, 1/3 hard slope, and 1/3 diving well. That offers very little play area. For example, a 40' diving pool has roughly a 12–13' shallow end. Considering this area will be used 80% of the time by the swimmers, that's not a great use of space.
Also, games like volleyball and basketball are so popular in swimming pools. Such activities are impossible with so much water depth in the deep end of the pool.
3. Higher insurance
At best, your homeowner's insurance will go up when you add a diving board. The percentages vary depending on the policy, but you should definitely expect an increase.
At worst, your insurance company will drop coverage for your home and your pool because of the inherent safety concerns with diving boards.
4. Stiff diving boards
Nowadays, diving boards don’t have the bounce they used to. They’re a lot more stiff and rigid than they were 15 years ago.
Today, it's tough to find a diving board that has very much spring at all, mainly because regulations have been put in place over concerns for safety.
Because these boards are so rigid, they lose their novelty rather quickly, causing pool owners to regret having installed them in the first place.
5. Too much pool
In order to do a diving pool the right way, it really needs to be at least 38–39 ft. long.
This is because the slope in the middle of the pool needs to be far enough away from the board that someone won't dive into this part of the pool and be injured.
For many homeowners, this would require a pool that is beyond their budget or one that simply won’t fit in the backyard they have.
This is especially applicable to subdivisions where backyards of small lots often can’t accommodate pools large enough to install a diving board that meets safety regulations.
What's best for you?
Despite all of these disadvantages to owning a "diving" pool, there are occasionally homeowners who really want a diving board because their children have their hopes set on one.
Although it’s an understandable dilemma, you may want to ask yourself this question:
If a swimming pool does not have a diving board, will the children boycott it?
Well, obviously, the answer is a resounding NO. Children may be adamant about wanting certain things with their swimming pool, but when it comes down to it, what they really want is water—pure and simple.
If kids have water, they're going to have fun. Non-diving board pools tend to have so much more play area than traditional diving pools. Children are quite often surprised at how content they are without having a diving board added to their swimming pool.
Questions about diving boards? As always, please feel free to leave your thoughts below.
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* River Pools® strongly recommends that diving boards and slides not be installed or used with its pools, given the inherent dangers associated with diving boards and slides in residential pools. These dangers include brain, spinal cord, and other severe permanent injuries, and death. For that reason, River Pools® does not manufacture or sell diving boards or slides. If, despite this warning and recommendation, the owner decides to install or use a diving board or slide, the owner assumes all risks inherent with a diving board or slide, and River Pools® further warns that diving boards and slides require minimum depths and distances and must be installed and used in strict compliance with the equipment manufacturer’s specifications and ANSI/NSPI, ANSI/APSP, and ANSI/APSP/ICC standards, as well as in compliance with all applicable laws, rules, and regulations. The owner is responsible for making sure the pool is appropriate for diving boards and slides and otherwise meets all standards and laws for diving pools, and the owner must consult the diving board or slide manufacturer and/or installer as to the appropriateness of the pool for the diving board or slide and that its installation, location and use meet all standards and laws for diving and slide pools.
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Editor's note: This article was originally written by Marcus Sheridan and was updated on August 27, 2024, with current information. River Pools is a brand of
inground fiberglass pools produced in a manufacturing facility in Fortville, IN. While our expertise is in manufacturing fiberglass pools, we have access to a network of installers with expertise in project design, installation, and pool service. We often tap into this knowledge base and share information freely with homeowners, just like you, who are considering installing a backyard swimming pool.