Anti Wave Global’s Anton Kajlich flags benefits of overflow pool design

Anton Kajlich, General Manager and founder of Anti Wave Global, has shared his experience of the development of four-sided overflow pool designs in use by the majority of top aquatic facilities around the world.

The design, which had its origin in the swimming events of the Munich 1972 Olympic Summer Games, offers significant performance enhancing characteristics.

Benefits of overflow pools
When compared to traditional-type non-overflow pools, overflow pools provide a more professional, aesthetically pleasing pool deck environment. The overflow grating design permits higher filtration rates and enhanced water filtration. With a pool deck, the direct entry is at the same level as the water, making it easier for swimmers to enter the pool. Overflow channels direct the water across the pool surface and then across the overflow gutter. The turbulence is directed across the overflow channels, which minimises the turbulence, whereas in non-overflow pools the waves are reflected against the pool walls.

All of these above factors result in a more professional pool experience for swimmers and provide a faster pool for competition and training. Having covered the benefits of overflow pools, it is important to point out that some negatives do exist.

Overflow pool challenges
The ability of swimmers to execute successful flip turns is affected due to the lack of raised wall sections at the turning point. Sometimes swimmers can flip-turn under the water level.

However, if the unexperienced swimmer does miss the wall and slip off the top, then injuries can occur.

Overflow pools are by their design a wet deck pool.

Coaches who are in nearest proximity to the swimmers can receive large splashes of water by each turning swimmer. 

Pool decks being hosed down by pool staff can direct debris and dirt back into the pool. The overflow pool design requires the installation of end walls or block stands to raise the starting blocks to the required regulation height.

Related solutions
To meet the demands of the overflow pool or wet deck environment, Anti Wave has a range of solutions.

1. Overflow pool gratings:
Anti Wave can supply a variety of overflow pool gratings with two main varieties - TransGrate or LongiGrate. Trans-Grate is recommended where radii are present for the majority of wet deck requirements. LongiGrates are installed where a higher level of deck structural support is specified, such as where deck equipment is expected to be placed over the gratings.

2. GRP end wall
Anti Wave GRP end wall provides a safe and efficient means of managing competition and training swimming in an overflow or wet deck pool environment. The end wall enables the installation of starting blocks and timing equipment into the overflow pool. It is produced from glass-reinforced plastic (GRP). 

Moveable polypropylene (PP) overflow gratings are located on the end wall top and sides to ensure quick and easy cleaning below, with the end wall in place.

3. Overflow block stands with turnboards
Anti Wave overflow block stands provide a stable and durable platform for the installation of starting blocks in the overflow pool environment. The overflow block stands are a more economical solution for club and school facilities where space is limited but top value is required. The elegant design allows cleaning of the pool deck without removal of the block stands. The material used for production is GRP.

Optional turnboards can be fixed to the overflow block stands. Turnboards limit splashing during swimmers’ turns on the pool deck and assist swimmers to successfully carry out their flip turns every time.

4. GRP moveable bulkheads
Anti moveable bulkheads set the international standard for bulkhead pool configuration and programmability.

Anti Wave has developed a high-precision corrosion resistant bulkhead that successfully meets all FINA regulations.

Anti Wave bulkhead uses cutting-edge GRP production techniques to ensure precise tolerances and a clean and aesthetic design that is complementary to the overflow pool deck. The bulkhead provides for the installation of starting blocks in the overflow pool environment and allows for multiple activities to be carried out to maximise programmability.

Anti Wave aquatic equipment caters to local and international pools. Its products are the result of over 45 years of industry-leading innovation and development, installation and use around the world. Anti Wave products are designed and tested in Australia and have been exported to over 150 countries since the 1972 Munich Olympics.

Anti Wave International products are distributed in Australia by S.R.Smith Australia.

Click here to contact S.R.Smith Australia via their entry in the Australasian Leisure Management Supplier Directory. 

Click here to contact Anti Wave Global via their entry in the Australasian Leisure Management Supplier Directory. 

Images: Anti Wave International Pty Ltd.