No Pool, No Problem: Book Your Own Private Pool by the Hour with Swimply

By Mike Richard Published April 8, 2019

Everything is shareable these days — classic cars, RVs, beach houses, even clothing and luggage. Now the latest addition to the sharing economy: swimming pools. If you’ve ever wanted to throw a hip-hop-video-worthy pool party but always lacked the pool part, Swimply has you covered.

Swimply’s concept is simple: the site connects pool owners with pool-lovers. Owners list their pools with relevant details like location, size, images, and pricing. The site includes indoor/outdoor, and fresh- and saltwater varieties. Amenities vary widely with some including pool toys, diving boards, waterslides, and hot tubs, while others also offer the use of bonus backyard features like barbecue grills and basketball courts. Renters can filter their search to find the pool that fits their exact needs. Upon finding the right one, they can send a booking request to the owner. Like Airbnb, each listing features reviews from past swimmers, so it’s easy to see what previous guests thought of the space.

1. Greensboro, North Carolina.
2. Houston, Texas.

It might sound like a strange concept until you consider the hassle and, more importantly, the sky-high cost of owning a pool. Like RVs and pricey vacation homes in Maui, the number of wanna-be pool owners far outweighs the number of actual owners. Likewise, the average pool is in use less than 5% of the year. So, if you can’t own one, why not rent one?

Recommended Videos

This is where Swimply’s founder saw potential. In an interview with Lonely Planet, Bunim Laskin said, “Owning a pool can be expensive, enjoying one doesn’t have to be.” He jokes that his childhood — growing up in New Jersey as the oldest in a family of 12 — was “more or less a living hell in summer.” So, he approached a neighbor to see about using their pool on a pay-per-use basis. In no time, the “whole block was paying her to use the pool. When my neighbor expressed gratitude for introducing the concept, Swimply was borne.”

Average hourly rates vary from USD $50 to $200. While that might sound steep, it’s easier to swallow if your family or friends don’t cheap out and are willing to split the bill with you. Right now, the site is somewhat limited to about twenty U.S. states and some of Canada. Sign up for free to browse the current listings at Swimply.com.

Contributor

Mike Richard has traveled the world since 2008. He's kayaked in Antarctica, tracked endangered African wild dogs in South…

Culture

The best shows to binge on Peacock in April

Lots of NBC hits are on Peacock now — here are the best shows to watch

Gabriel Macht wearing a light gray suit

There are definitely too many streaming services. Thanks to Netflix's revolution, every broadcast network and parent company decided that they had to get in on the streaming wars. Peacock TV is NBC Universal's streaming service, and although it may not seem like the most attractive option, there are actually a number of great Peacock movies and shows available on the service that are hard to find anywhere else.
Some of those popular shows are Peacock streaming originals, although there are plenty that initially aired on NBC or elsewhere and have found their way to Peacock thanks in part to the complicated nature of TV rights. Regardless, though, Peacock speaks to the impressive legacy of NBC Television. Growing up, I watched many of these shows as part of my regular nighttime routine. Now, thankfully, they're available at our fingertips anytime. Looking for more streaming options? We also have your guide to the best shows on Netflix, the best shows on Hulu, and the best shows on Paramount+.

Suits (2011)

Culture

April favorites: The best shows to watch on Starz

From Outlander to Party Down, these are the best shows you can stream on Starz

Outlanders

Since its inception, Starz has proven it can hang with larger competitors like Max. Although it's now making television in an incredibly crowded landscape, Starz has managed to regularly launch shows that make an impact, and it speaks to the enduring quality of these shows that they've also stood the test of time.
Because the streaming service is relatively niche, it can be hard to feel like it's worth the investment. I know from personal experience that, once you take the plunge and check out a few series on Starz, though, you'll realize just how deep the well of great stuff is. Any one of these shows would justify the price of a subscription.

Party Down (2009)

Culture

Must-see films: The best movies on Peacock this April

Peacock is a TV service, but it also has a great catalog of movies to stream, too

Jack Black in Bernie.

A fun bit of historic TV trivia is that the original NBC peacock logo was first implemented in 1956 to highlight the network's new color programming. Even though the logo has gone through numerous iterations since then, the network has stuck with the colorful bird, in one form or another, for going on six decades now. It’s fitting, then, that Peacock is known most for its TV programming, highlighted by shows like The Office, Parks and Rec, and the self-mocking (and hilarious) 30 Rock. If you are on Peacock for the shows, however, don't overlook that the platform is also home to a number of great movies spanning cinema history, including everything from great comedy to excellent sports movies.

Below, I've picked out some of the best movies available on the service. I was surprised to see just how many greats there are to choose from, and I'm confident that whatever you like to watch, you'll find something good below.