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Pool time for babies and parents – Learn more about swim classes for little dippers!

A baby’s first time in a pool is a fun and relaxing experience. In fact, infant swimming helps babies and toddlers become familiar with and adapt to being in the water, aids psychomotor learning and creates a stronger bond with parents. Baby will enjoy his first time in the pool so much that the feeling will probably last all his life.

Water activity programmes for babies include a number of basic safety principles so you can help your baby with his first feelings of surprise in the water. To better control your pool when children are small there are a number of submerged alarm systems that sound a loud alarm if a child falls into the water.

You must also remember that babies aren’t able to regulate their body temperature themselves and may start to cry if the water is very cold. They will be totally comfortable and calm if the water temperature is 32º. It is also advisable to control chlorine levels, ventilation (in a heated pool) and the place where baby will be changed and dried to prevent against cold following the swim.

As Lauren Heston explains in her book “Water Baby”, infant swim classes prepare babies and toddlers “for an active lifestyle, a stronger heart and lungs and, in general, a healthier body. The programme also helps develop a more alert attitude and improves coordination at a very young age”.

It’s more a series of aquatic stimulation exercises than a regular swimming course because babies are not yet developed enough to actually learn how to swim. That will come later, between the ages of four and five.

“In addition to learning to swim, it sparks their intelligence potential for good – and best of all….it’s done through play! Controlling your breathing underwater is a life skill that is easily learnt in the first month of classes. Each contact with water ends with the inclusion of new knowledge and skills,” says Patricia Cirigliano, head of the First Argentine Swim School for Babies, listing the benefits of infant swimming.

The first time in a pool is certain to be an experience that will relax a baby, allow him to sleep better at night and aid active, healthy growth and development.

Discover Stand Up Paddling and start to do it in your pool!

Laird Hamilton has surfed monster waves. The biggest and most dangerous there are. Raging waters that can only be reached by helicopter, in inflatable boats or on a water scooter. To reach these milestones when there still weren’t any rules, Hamilton started out by surfing on a board with a paddle to help him improve his performance. He had created the modern version of stand up paddling (SUP).

This sport became a core part of his training and enabled him to surf waves of up to 30 meters high, such as those in Jaws, on this island of Maui (Hawaii), which turned him into a legend of the world of surfing. “Nothing makes you stronger for surfing the biggest waves than stand up paddling. It gives your legs, feet and toes stability and strength”. These were his words in an interview for the specialized magazine Standup Journal, where he also described how people asked themselves what sport it was when first they saw him in Ho’okipa (Hawaii).

SUP piscinaSUP: Stand up paddling, a sport without limits

Since then, Hamilton has demonstrated that there are no limits to doing SUP and has crossed the high tides of Turnagain Arm in Alaska, the Grand Canyon, the English Channel and he has gone around all of the islands in the Hawaiian archipelago. SUP, which was almost discovered by accident, is now more popular than ever and the types of board depend on the activity to be done on them: yoga, long-distance paddling, down-river runs, riding the waves, etc., on both the open sea and inland waterways.

To break into the world of SUP, we recommend starting in calm waters such as in a pool, as it is a confined space that provides the safety required during the first days of training because the wind and adverse weather conditions can make the water almost impossible to navigate. When you start to build up confidence in the flat water, we would encourage you to try it out in surf wave pools!

Other top tips, according to Laird Hamilton, are to find a good instructor, to be familiar with the places where you paddle, to keep safe and to have as much fun as possible: “Go out with a smile and respect the ocean or whatever water you find yourself doing SUP in”.

Ready to give it a try?

A Scandinavian refuge for enjoying water all year around

Everybody knows about the enviable Scandinavian custom of using the bounties of water for keeping in good physical and mental health. The young architects’ studio Claesson Koivisto Rune, founded in Stockholm in 1995 and whose work straddles between architecture and design, has just designed and completed a pavilion with two pools for a villa built in 1796. Although the mansion has a predominantly classic look, the proposal of the multidisciplinary studio for the new facility stands out for its modern style of pure and simple lines.

Thanks to the space designed, the owners of the villa can enjoy a swim all year around. For summer days, they have an outdoor pool on a platform as the main feature in the middle of this piece of work. From here, there is a view over the rest of the garden. Although one would think that this is ideal for hot summer’s days, it does not take a stretch of the imagination to envisage more daring swimmers having a dip in this pool surrounded by snow. However, there is an indoor pool under the platform to round off this project. Both offer a splendid choice for having a swim every day of the year.

Poolhus Wirum, Claesson Koivisto Rune

The build is marked by a single detail that runs throughout the project. Inspired by French parquet flooring, the architects have followed through the chevron pattern on every surface of the build. The wood decking, the panelling (on both walls and ceilings) and the tiling have the same pattern carefully cut using a precision laser. White was chosen for the tiling and, thanks to the steps arranged like a grandstand in the pool, they reflect a darker shade of turquoise the deeper they are.

The two pools are flanked by two volumes on the platform that serves to conceal the stairwell down to the spa and to fit out a roofed kitchen with a dining area for meals in the garden.

The image of the new spa clearly has little to do with this villa’s historic style. However, there is no doubt that the architects have managed to conjure up a visual memory of the chevron parquet flooring in the mansion’s classically styled rooms.

Ladies and gentlemen: fasten your swimsuits!

Can you think of a better way to escape the usual hustle and bustle of air travel than with a refreshing dip? The three airports below all have a pool, a guaranteed way to beat the boredom and make layovers, delayed flights and cancellations more (much more) bearable.

The first on the list is located at one of the world’s most luxurious hubs: Hamad International Airport in Doha. Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, the Vitality Spa’s heated pool measures 25 meters long and 5 meters wide and is covered by a glass dome. For $35 (roughly €30), anyone with a layover at this Qatari airport can go for a swim, work out in the gym, play squash or kickback in a stunning hydrotherapy pool.

Doha-Airport_TheCoolPool

If you need more adrenaline-pumping activities to relax, check out Munich International Airport. For the past five summers, this German airport has hosted Surf & Style, a spectacular indoor wave pool where travellers can surf for 45 minutes. This 204 m2 pool is located between terminals 1 and 2, and entrance is free (with board and wetsuit included!) but keep in mind that advanced registration is required. And if surfing isn’t your thing, you can always have a drink at the beach bar.

Munich-Airport-Surf_TheCoolPool

The pool that closes our list of airport oases is found at Singapore Changi International Airport, ranked the world’s best airport since 2013. Located on the roof of Terminal 1, this pool provides an unbeatable place to relax and get some sun between flights. The Balinese-themed facilities features a spectacular hot tub overlooking the runway. Guests can enjoy this luxurious space for a very affordable S$14 (roughly €9) and includes a towel, access to the showers and one (non-alcoholic) drink at the bar.

singapore-changi-airport_thecoolpool

With all these options available, more than one passenger is bound to have gone through security with their bathing suit already on, ready to kick off their holiday a few hours before take-off. What about you? How would you like to spend your next layover: catching a wave or kicking back in a hydrotherapy pool?

How to Feng Shui Your Pool

Have you ever asked yourself why so many Chinese restaurants have fish tanks? The answer has nothing to do with any special interest in fish, it’s because of feng shui. According to this philosophy based on the idea of occupying spaces in a conscious and harmonious fashion, water symbolises good luck and contributes significantly to people’s physical and mental wellbeing.

Many people take the recommendations of this discipline of a Taoist origin in mind when it comes to furnishing and decorating a home. What isn’t so common is to draw on them when designing the outdoor areas of a house. Water is one of the basic elements of feng shui (which literally translates as “wind-water”) and therefore a swimming pool can have a major impact on a home’s serenity.

According to feng shui, it’s best to choose a pool with no angles: round, oval or kidney-shaped. These shapes prevent the build-up of energy in the corners and stabilise the family’s financial situation. But if you already have a rectangular pool with angles pointing directly towards the house (or the relaxation areas of the garden) you can achieve the same benefits by placing plants in the corners.

In terms of dimensions, the most important thing is proportionality. Water is a very powerful element in feng shui, so a pool too big can noticeably affect the home’s energy balance. It is also recommendable to not put the pool very close to the house to prevent a feeling of ‘drowning’ amongst the inhabitants.

Plus, to ensure the pool is always full of positive energy, it’s a good idea to install good pumping systems or fountains that keep the water moving and replenishing continuously. If possible, water should flow towards the home to enable the pool to project healing properties on all the family.

Finally, to guarantee a well-balanced setting, it is highly recommendable for the five elements to be harmoniously integrated in the garden. This means that in addition to the water in the pool, you should include metal (ladders, maintenance material), wood (plants, outdoor furniture), earth(stones, pot plants, ceramic objects) and fire (lighting systems, candles).

A Contemporary Teahouse in Xuhui

In contrast to Far East buildings made from stone, wood or mud and distinguished mainly by their heavy and rotund nature, today we discover an oriental-style building which is surprising precisely because of its change of tack regarding choice of materials.

The light and play of transparencies achieved with modern materials and reflective pools at the Huaxin Business Center coexist with one of the basic principles of traditional Chinese architecture: the importance of the horizontal plane (many people will recall the large oriental loggias built on heavy platforms covered with a large floating roof).

teahouse_waterfallScenic Architecture Office designed and completed a teahouse and exhibition centre for China Fortuna Land Development and shored up this building identity: the highly landscaped raised positioning of the construction on the ground. Innovation was incorporated into the project in the choice of materials: shiny and stunning.

The building comprises four interconnected suspended modules with bridges (from which waterfalls flow) at a height that allows users to enjoy nature because the architects not only painstakingly respected the six camphor trees they found on the land but even made them part of the project.

As well as gaining height, they managed to maximise the available green space on the land and reduce the building’s impact on the tree roots. To support the entire project, they used just 10 pieces of steel and concrete which they inserted into the ground around the sole closed space on the ground floor. This is a transparent atrium that visually maximises the environment, harnesses the natural light and provides access to the first floor.

teahouse_interior

The building comprises four interconnected suspended modules with bridges (from which waterfalls flow) at a height that allows users to enjoy nature because the architects not only painstakingly respected the six camphor trees they found on the land but even made them part of the project.

As well as gaining height, they managed to maximise the available green space on the land and reduce the building’s impact on the tree roots. To support the entire project, they used just 10 pieces of steel and concrete which they inserted into the ground around the sole closed space on the ground floor. This is a transparent atrium that visually maximises the environment, harnesses the natural light and provides access to the first floor.

teahouse_trees

Photos: © Su Shengliang

Making a splash: five music videos filmed at pools

Pools have long been chosen by artists as the perfect backdrop for their music videos. This list includes eighties icons, rock bands and pop stars who’ve gotten wet and wild in their videos and made a splash to promote their songs.

Wham: Club Tropicana (1983)

British duo George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley filmed the music video for Club Tropicana at Pikes Hotel in Ibiza. Filled with cocktail with umbrellas and sunglasses, the pool party featured in the video is a satire of drunken tourism.

REM: Imitation of Life (2001)

The band headlined by Michael Stipe released Imitation of Life, their twelfth album, in 2001. An interesting fact about the videos is that it was filmed in 20 seconds (the video constantly fast forwards and rewinds) at a Los Angeles pool.

Lana Del Rey: Blue Jeans (2012)

Lana del Rey loves swimming pools and videos for this New Yorker’s songs often feature the artist floating in or getting out of the water in slow motion. In Blue Jeans, a dramatic black and white pool (complete with alligators) sets the scene for a destructive relationship.

The National: Graceless (2013)

Indie bands have also turned to the cinematography of the pool: American group The National takes a dip in suits in the video for the third single from the Trouble Will Find Me album.

Robin Schulz feat. Ilsey: Headlights (2015)

Filmed at an abandoned swimming pool in Algarve, the video for German DJ Robin Shulz’s Headlights video proves that pools don’t always have to be filled to provide a stunning visual display.

Kylie Minogue, Bryan Adams, Taylor Swift, Sum 41, Justin Bieber and Britney Spears are just a few of the other artists who have used swimming facilities as locations for filming their videos. Can you think of any others?

taylor-swift-swimming-pool_thecoolpool

Discover the shark pool in the LEGO House

The LEGO House recently opened in the centre of Billund, Denmark is an amazing life-size construction built using 25 million plastic LEGO bricks in which nothing is what it seems. In total, 21 spaces in the shape of superimposed blocks invite children and adults to explore them through play and their imagination. The house of the Danish toy brand was designed by the BIG firm of architects to showcase the infinite possibilities of LEGO bricks.

In the pool of the LEGO house there is a submarine that has run aground, menacing sharks with their jaws wide open and surf boards that move across the shark-infested waters. “This is what kids do every day with LEGO bricks and this is what we have done in the LEGO House as it stands, thus making Billund closer to becoming the kids’ capital”, explained Bjarke Ingels, the founding partner of the BIG firm of architects.

The building sits on a public playground of 2,000 m2 that is lit up by the cracks between each of the volumes. Blocks and galleries have been arranged on this square that is colour-coded in LEGO’s primary colours to signal the themes staged there. As the team entrusted with the project explained, this means that “finding your way through the exhibitions becomes a journey through the colour spectrum”.

In the LEGO House, a huge multicoloured cascade bursts into the Red zone, devoted to creativity, to form bubbles and foam made of coloured bricks. The underwater world is present throughout the tour, especially in the Yellow zone, designed to explore emotions. Here, fish, octopuses and jellyfish swim among the marine vegetation and a coral reef completely made of LEGO bricks in an enormous aquarium.

At The Cool Pool we love the block scheme! Would you like to find out about another amazing house designed with two impressive longitudinal volumes?

Pictures Iwan Baan

Urban lake in Taiwan

The Dutch architecture studio MVRDV  will design a new large urban lake in the centre of the Taiwanese city of Tainan. The project will entail the demolition of the China-Town shopping centre, a complex built in 1983 and on which it proposes an urgent replacement due to its poor architectural quality.

This decaying construction is no longer what it was during the time of expansion of the fourth most populous city in the Republic of China and today it is known as the “rotten tooth” of Tainan. The team of urbanists The Urbanist Collective,  the study of local architecture LLJ Architects and Landscapers Progressive Environmental, among others, make up the team with the prestigious Central European architects have been selected in the competition organized by the municipal administration competition.

The winning proposal is based mainly on the incorporation of an attractive connection axis between the city and the seafront. Thanks to this green corridor, this side of Tainan will be transformed into a more pleasant area for the pedestrian, with a much more important presence of green areas despite being an area of great commercial activity.

The idea of the team formed by Winy Maas, Jacob van Rijs and Nathalie de Vries also foresees the incorporation of new shops and restaurants, as well as new public swimming pools. The trees will also give a new vegetable and friendly image to the area. The new water channel will be flanked by sand dunes and various street furniture. The architects seek to recover the view once had this area of the city and, years ago, was hidden by the rough mall.

According to the authors, the design of the new public spaces is inspired by the natural lagoon that existed in Taiwan before the expansion of the city and that drove the development of the local fishing industry. This winning scheme will become an important stimulus for the regeneration of the district thanks to the promotion of the use of public spaces and the creation of a cohesive urban language.

Pool Society Portraits

2016 marked the 100th anniversary of the birth of photographer Slim Aarons, whose camera immortalised American high society between the 1950s and 80s. His shots tell stories of privilege and influence and made the swimming pool an object of desire for many generations.

C.Z. Guest by the pool at her home Villa Artemis in Palm Beach, Florida, 1955 – Slim Aarons (Photo by Slim Aarons/Getty Images)

Although born in Manhattan in 1916, Slim Aarons was raised far from the bright lights of the Big Apple. The man who would become an indisputable insider into the Californian elite grew up with his grandparents on a New Hampshire farm and didn’t leave rural New England until he was 18 when he enlisted in the army.

Cannellopoulos Penthouse Pool, Athens, Greece, 1961 – Slim Aarons (Photo by Slim Aarons/Getty Images)

It was during his time at the military academy that he discovered his passion for photography. At West Point, Aarons was responsible for developing photographs and when he was sent to Europe to fight in World War II, he continued experimenting and progressing with the camera. When he returned from the war he got a job as a photojournalist with Life magazine.

The Good Life: C.Z. Guest and her son Alexander and dog at the pool at their home Villa Artemis in Palm Beach, Florida, 1955 – Slim Aarons (Photo by Slim Aarons/Getty Images)

His first job for the publication would change his life. When he was assigned to cover a Hollywood event, Aarons was so captivated by the elegance and pace of the city that he decided to move to Los Angeles and devote himself to snapping celebrities. Slowly but surely he worked his way into the Californian jet set and began to photograph the pool parties he was invited to.

Guests at the Villa Nirvana, owned by Oscar Obregon, in Las Brisas, Acapulco, Mexico, 1972. (Photo by Slim Aarons/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

His pictures offered a glimpse into an exclusive world that many could only dream of. Everybody wanted Aarons at their parties: film and music stars, famous sportspeople, businesspeople, politicians and aristocrats. They all invited him to their glamorous and convivial poolside get-togethers, which he captured and published in the most influential magazines of the day. Indeed, his ability to open windows onto other lives inspired the script of his friend Alfred Hitchcock’s film Rear Window.

circa 1960: A group of young women enjoying the sunshine in the grounds of the former George Newhall estate in San Francisco. Its house and gardens are modelled on Le Petit Trianon at Versailles. A Wonderful Time – Slim Aarons (Photo by Slim Aarons/Getty Images)

Aarons published his book A Wonderful Time in 1974 and although it didn’t originally sell well, it went on to become a staple for many designs and fashion professionals in the 1990s. A further three books cover his work: Slim Aarons: Once Upon a Time (2003), Slim Aarons: A Place in the Sun (2005) and the posthumous work Poolside with Slim Aarons (2007). Slim Aarons died in Montrose, New York, in 2006.

Image Source: Slim Aarons