The Art of Floating in the Pool

The Art of Floating in the Pool

Probably one of my greatest loves in life is floating in a swimming pool in my raft, favorite drink in hand and reading a good book or MAD Magazine. There are certain tricks however. First, set up the atmosphere around the pool. Do you have your favorite music playing on your outdoor speakers or stereo? How about some snacks on a plate and your beverage. A sun visor is a must if you are going to read. Don’t forget sunscreen, as the reflection of the sun on the water can be a killer on your skin.

The Perfect Raft

The perfect raft to me, is one where only a small portion of my body is immersed in water. However, everyone has a personal favorite so it may take a few tries until you find the right air mattress. To me, it’s important that I can kick my feet and row with my arms to maneuver around the pool. Does the float have a cup holder for your beverage? This is a key factor in getting the most out of your experience.

Once you are ready to go, set your beverage, snack, and reading materials along the side of the pool. Don’t try and be cute and get on the raft with your arms full of stuff as disaster is inevitable. I have found the best way to get on a raft when I don’t want to get too wet is from the steps; lifting one leg over at a time and setting my body into the raft.

Once you are settled in, row over to your goodies (don’t let them sit in the sun too long) and set yourself in total relaxation mode. Place your paper plate with snacks on your stomach, then get your reading material and finally, your drink. A gentle push from the wall allows you to float around the pool at your leisure. If you read a newspaper on your raft, be careful the wind doesn't blow it into the water as it can make a mess in your skimmer or clog up your floor vac.