A new trend is taking over Aussie backyards, as homeowners abandon their swimming pools for a natural alternative.
For many Aussie families, a pool in the backyard is the ultimate dream, and when the sweltering summer hits, it’s the perfect way to cool off as well as entertain friends and family.
However when the kids grow older and homeowners get sick of trying to maintain them, they’re often left unused and become more of a pain than pleasure.
Many Aussie homeowners are reimagining the dream of the Aussie backyard and diving into a new trend – a recreational pond.
Whether you call it a swim pond, recreational pond, natural pool or the likes, they are slowly taking over Australian yards.
One of many natural ‘swim ponds’ in Australia. Picture: Swim Ponds Australia/Instagram
Swim ponds and natural pools are becoming all the rage. Picture: Swim Ponds Australia/Instagram
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They are also completely safe for swimming, with many choosing this option over traditional pools, or even turning their old pools into ‘swim ponds’.
This natural alternative doesn’t require chlorine or other chemicals to keep it clean so is healthier for humans, nature and wildlife, according to experts.
Patrick Handley had been living and travelling in Canada when he first became inspired by the recreational pond phenomenon.
He had a dream to bring the whole concept back to Australia, so decided to start up his business creating “beautiful, natural ponds”.
“No one (in Australia) wanted water features, they just wanted grass and a barbecue,” Mr Handley said.
“They thought a pond was just a bit of rubber and a tube. They weren’t really ready for it.”
Patrick Handley from Waterscapes Australia. Picture: Supplied
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Back then it was grassroots, now he says the trend is really taking off.
His company Waterscapes Australia creates ponds in Aussie backyards as well as for large scale and commercial projects, with contractors working all over the country.
He also educates people who are interested in knowing about the boutique industry.
“It’s like aquatic gardening, it’s beautiful. The water is clean and useful for local animal life and birds, if you want to jump in and prune some things or swim you can,” he said.
“I wanted people to see that you could have something that looked more natural than what we were seeing out there, like if you walked up to a creek and saw that.”
When he first started in Australia in 2011, he said Aussies didn’t realise a pond could be a beautiful backyard addition.
“Recreation is many things,” he said.
“It’s gardening, you may get into it, sit by it.”
Recreational ponds are a natural alternative to swimming pools filled and built around natural boulders, rocks, plants and wildlife.
Another recreational pond, a great natural alternative for the backyard. Picture: Swim Ponds Australia/Instagram
Additionally, to keep the ponds clean, Mr Handley said says it uses natural elements rather then chemicals to keep it alive and clean.
“Working with nature not against it, we use beneficial aerobic bacteria which does most of the filtration,” he said.
“It’s pretty straight forward. Clean out the skimmer, remove the material that could hit the bottom and add in the bacteria.
“You’ll get ferns and moss growing because you’re supporting a nice humid environment … (you’ll) have lizards and birds swimming in it, it also supports breeding of frogs.”
There was however a large misconception having a pond in your yard would attract mosquitoes, he added, but that wasn’t the case.
Aussies swimming in their natural ponds, and a friendly turtle! Pictures: Instagram
“Mosquitos don’t like running water so if they did lay in it, you’re reducing the population as they don’t get past that stage, so you don’t see them hanging around (a pond),” he said.
The costs were similar to that of getting a pool installed, ranging from about $50,000-$100,000 depending on the pool, according to Mr Handley.
“They’re absolutely beautiful, they become self maintaining, it’s that real natural feel in their backyard they’re over the chemical side of things, we take it another level,” he said.
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