A river runs through it: bring fun and fantasy to your residential pool clients with lazy rivers

Pool & Spa News, Nov 19, 2004 by Suzanne Hurt

To avoid entrapment, don't place main drains in the river. Place them in the deep end of the pool instead.

Floating devices can determine the user's safety as well. An S-shaped river has subtle enough turns that inner tubes can be used. However, people should use rafts on rivers with sharper turns. You can supply rafts with cushioned bumpers to soften impact, and protect the head and feet.

4 Stage a scene.

Give the river the same kind of attention you would to a pool or waterfeature. Such features scream out for a naturalistic setting, so use rock--natural or faux--as well as generous landscaping to recreate the resort environment of the homeowner's dreams.

Because these features are rare, your clients will probably want to show them off. Place the river so part of it is a focal point, but don't overtake the view by centering the whole thing. Add allure by hiding the entrance from plain sight behind the slide.

With a creative, functional and safe design, lazy rivers will be all about fun--for kids and the young at heart. "I love sitting in a tube and catching some sun," Brill says. "It's a nice alternative to sitting on a chaise lounge somewhere."

Hurt is a freelance writer based in Sacramento, Calif.