"The Czech Republic is literally a pool power. We are ahead of many European countries in the number of swimming pools per capita," says Zdeněk Vosolsobě
What is the truth about the Czech Republic supposedly being a pool superpower?
They really say that about us. According to public statistics, we rank third in Europe. Only the Spanish and the French are ahead of us. Several factors are responsible for this. The Czechs are a little less keen to put themselves on display. Another factor is that we travel less than, for example, our German neighbours. The third factor is that we do not have the sea and therefore have fewer opportunities for quality public bathing. And the fourth factor is certainly the rationality of the Czechs in investing.
Can a swimming pool be considered an investment?
Definitely yes. You are investing in your property, which you will appreciate in value. Of course, now I'm talking about inground pools, which are a more significant investment.
So an inground pool is a better investment? Is that how the Czechs see it?
In the Czech Republic, of course, above-ground pools are also in vogue, but gradually this is being tipped over, and the Czechs have also realised that inground pools offer several advantages. One of them is durability. You usually get an inground pool for decades. The comfort of use is also much greater, you go straight from ground level down the stairs into the water, you can sit on the edge of the pool and just dip your feet in, you can jump in, etc. These are things that an above ground pool rarely allows. And last but not least, sunken pools look better and don't disturb the look of the garden.
How much is the appearance of the pool the issue?
A lot more these days. The colour of the pool, the style and the colour and design of the roofing all come into play because, as I said, it's a decades-long structure. So the pool is not just a hole in the ground these days, but it's becoming the dominant feature of the garden.
What trends are in the running today?
The overflow pools you know from luxury hotels, for example, are very popular. The choice of colours is also changing. Previously, pools were only blue, which is no longer the case today. White, for example, is a very popular colour. In terms of roofing, low roofing in a colour that matches the garden has been in trend for several years. I'm pleased to see an increasing number of clients addressing how the pool will look in terms of design and aesthetics.
What about the shapes? Which one predominates?
There used to be a lot of oval pools, but for the last five years rectangular pools have been overwhelmingly predominant.
Movement is undoubtedly one of the benefits of swimming pools. What are the others?
Any movement is good and swimming is very beneficial for our bodies. Water is a great element. The pool is nice to look at, it's great to just relax in the water, which in turn relaxes your mind and stimulates your psyche. The advantage is the aforementioned privacy. With your own pool definitely comes an economic advantage. An initial investment is needed, but since running a pool is not that costly, you realize that it costs the same as a few visits to a water park per year. And that's not counting time to transport, parking, food, drink and other expenses. It's great that all you have to do is go out on the terrace and in five seconds you have the pool at your disposal and under your control at all times. Plus, it's also a socially interesting element of the garden, because when you have a pool, you automatically become the hosts' favorite.
Is salt water or fresh water better?
Salt water is much more efficient to maintain today. Although salt water is a little more expensive on the initial investment, over time everyone will come to understand that it is more efficient. A few years ago, salt water was considered something for a select few, but today it is the absolute standard.
So if we were to give a tip to someone who wanted to take advantage of all the benefits of a pool, have a nice pool that wouldn't detract from the overall garden concept, but also wanted an economical option, what would you advise?
It's quite difficult to say it like that at first because everyone has different preferences. But the most common one is a 3 × 6 metre pool that is 150 cm deep. I would definitely recommend an overflow pool, if only for the comfort and its appearance. There should be no lack of salt water and stairs. Few people consider having a ladder installed to their pool. In the end, you'll find that the stairs become the most popular part of the pool - sitting on them, relaxing, jumping off them, etc.
Ideally, I would recommend a roof as well, as not only will you save on running costs and have better quality and warmer water, but of course you will also ensure safety. Although again it is some initial investment, in the end you will save on water treatment and pool operation. Nota bene, if you heat the pool. That's like cooking without a lid.
Zdeněk Vosolsobě has been the CEO of ALBIXON for two years. He has been with the company for almost 11 years. Four years ago he was transferred from the IT department to the position of Technical and Production Director. Two years ago, he was offered the position of CEO of the company, which he acceptedPhoto: Juan Calderón
Presumably a heat pump can also extend the life of the pool?
It certainly extends your season a lot, and again, it has an economic impact because you budget the initial investment over more days that the pool can be used. The pool can then be in operation from April until the end of October, for example.
When is the best time to buy a pool?
I would say it's never too early. The earlier you decide to invest, the better your choice of dates for subsequent implementation. That's why it's best to book your pool construction date in the spring, so that you're ready for the summer season. Spring dates usually need to be booked well in advance. Most customers tackle this in the fall of the previous year.
How long does it take to complete a pool?
In the best case, everything can be done within a month. But we recommend to reserve rather two months. The concrete has some time to mature, there is work to be done around it, roofing, etc.
Are you planning any new things for this year or next year?
We have a few new things. ALBIXON has a development department that is at a very high level because we want to be one of the market leaders. We even have a few patented solutions. This year, for example, we introduced a new overflow grid, which is an important part of overflow pools. We are working on new ways of water maintenance and we are also currently focusing a lot on the comfort of use of our products. Visit us and see for yourself.
How has the swimming pool market coped with this year's coronavirus situation? Could it have benefited from it?
You're right. You can see this a lot in the German market. For Germans, travel is very important and now they had to stay at home. Maybe Germany will overtake us in the number of pools per capita in a while. Hygiene is also important in the current situation. If you compare the hygiene in public pools or public swimming pools and then look at your own home pool, where you deal with every speck, you are in a completely different place. You are in control of your home pool, you know who has been swimming in it, what you have put in it, what the temperature is, etc. For these reasons, the current situation favours us and we have seen it in the enquiries.
