‘Airbnb of swimming pools’ launches in Australia

A new app that allows users to hire domestic pools for an hourly rate has been launched in Australia.

Launched in the USA earlier this year, Swimply, described as the ‘Airbnb of swimming pools’, is an online marketplace for pool sharing.

Like Airbnb, the Swimply app lets owners put their pools up for hire and gives those without the chance to go for a dip for an hourly fee.

Swimply founder Bunim Laskin explained “people invest a lot of money into a pool but tend to only use it a small percentage of the time.

“This sharing method essentially monopolises on the pool ownership experience.”

Laskin advised that each pool listed on Swimply would go through a thorough inspection to ensure the property was adhering to local health and safety standards – noting that safety checks would be undertaken in conjunction with pool and spa maintenance company Poolwerx.

He noted “once the pool and the host is considered safe, (the owner has) full control over who can visit their property

“Hosts get to see the ages of who will be coming to their pool - is it a group of adults, how many will be under 12, is it just a couple? They are in full control and the guests are only limited to the pool area.”

Laskin started the business out of a need to relax on a hot summer day. According to the LA Times newspaper, the idea for the app came after he asked a neighbour if his family could use their pool. In exchange, the family would pay 25% of pool costs.

With Australia marking Swimply’s first expansion outside of the USA, Laskin added “Australians love the outdoors and with the country’s long summers we are excited to be able to democratise the pool experience so every Australian can enjoy affordable access to this summertime luxury.”

Figures from Roy Morgan Research show that nearly 2.7 million Australians live in a house with a swimming pool, equivalent to 13% of the Australian population and up from 12% the last time Roy Morgan looked at the prevalence of swimming pools around Australia in early 2015.

As for quality, Laskin concluded “if a pool or a guest gets lower than four stars, they get removed, making this a trustworthy and safe platform for both parties.”