May 14, 2008: World's Largest Swimming Pool

Coign · 05-13-2008, 12:16 PM

Sent to me via e-mail.

Quote:

If you like doing laps in the swimming pool, you might want to stock up on the energy drinks before diving in to this one.

It is more than 1,000 yards long, covers 20 acres, had a 115ft deep end and holds 66 million gallons of water.

Yesterday the Guinness Book of Records named the vast pool beside the sea in Chile as the biggest in the world.

But if you fancy splashing out on one of your own - and you have the space to accommodate it - then beware: This one took five years to build, cost nearly 1billion and the annual maintenance bill will be 2million.

The man-made saltwater lagoon has been attracting huge crowds to the San Alfonso del Mar resort at Algarrobo, on Chile 's southern coast, since it opened last month.

Its turquoise waters are so crystal clear that you can see the bottom even in the deep end.

It dwarfs the world's second biggest pool, the Orthlieb - nicknamed the Big Splash - in Morocco , which is a mere 150 yards long and 100 yards wide. An Olympicsize pool measures some 50 yards by 25 yards.

Chile's monster pool uses a computer- controlled suction and filtration system to keep fresh seawater in permanent circulation, drawing it in from the ocean at one end and pumping it out at the other.

The sun warms the water to 26c, nine degrees warmer than the adjoining sea.

Chilean biochemist Fernando Fischmann, whose Crystal Lagoons Corporation designed the pool, said advanced engineering meant his company could build 'an impressive artificial paradise' even in inhospitable areas.

'As long as we have access to unlimited seawater, we can make it work, and it causes no damage to the ocean.'

Shawnee123 · 05-13-2008, 12:19 PM

Hmmm...pool, or ocean. Both very inviting.

"I have a pool, and a pond. A pond would be good for you."

--Ty Webb, to Carl Spackler

Flint · 05-13-2008, 12:21 PM

I've often wondered why resports by the ocean feature a swimming pool. Don't they have swimming pools back home, wherever you're from?!

I have stayed at a place where the ocean floor was too rocky for you to really get in it; so having a pool there made sense.
And they did have a bar in the pool as well, which was nice. Can you put a bar in the ocean? I want to go to a bar in the ocean now.

Of course when you're on a bar in the ocean, there's the danger of falling off.

Trilby · 05-13-2008, 12:24 PM

coz some people don't want to swim where sea monsters live, ya ninny! SEA MONSTERS!

Shawnee123 · 05-13-2008, 12:29 PM

I'd prefer the ocean, myself. A floating ocean bar, I'm sure it's done somewhere. My new career dream.

monster · 05-13-2008, 08:35 PM

Safer.

But c'mon... if you're going to all that effort, remove the damn salt already. Sure, Chlorine is icky, but it doesn't make you barf in the way salt water does. or fuck with your eczema and dry your skin. Quite so much.

jinx · 05-13-2008, 08:44 PM

That is so frickin awesome. I've been wanting to go to Chili for a while.... but holy shit, now I wanna go there NOW! I

floating a pool next to the ocean.

treeforest · 05-13-2008, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shawnee123

I'd prefer the ocean, myself. A floating ocean bar, I'm sure it's done somewhere. My new career dream.

Tree Fae · 05-13-2008, 09:39 PM

Give me an ocean anytime. I love fighting the wild waves, always fun trying to keep the suits on.... pick the right place and you don't have to worry about it. I loved Hedo 2, only thing you needed to wear was water socks.. Found out that the hard way stepping on a sea urchin the first day out.

Oh to be back at the beach.... guess its not going to happen again any time soon.

It was hard giving up the great vacations, but sanity is much more useful. Or at least the essence of sanity.

DucksNuts · 05-13-2008, 10:06 PM

Meh, I like the ocean, but mainly for the sand activities...which is weird, coz I hate sand.

Pool by the ocean is perfect!!

xoxoxoBruce · 05-13-2008, 10:12 PM

@Jinx, don't forget your kayak.

Aliantha · 05-13-2008, 10:47 PM

They had this resort on Getaway (Australian travel show) recently. I was amazed at the time, but thought what a cool place it'd be to go.

I think the idea of it being salt is great. Much healthier than chlorine, specially if it's being 'refreshed' every day. I don't think you'd get me out of that pool if I was there...specially if it's got a floating bar!

lumberjim · 05-13-2008, 11:37 PM

one day, we'll post pics of us in that pool.

Scriveyn · 05-14-2008, 12:59 AM

The majority of monsters and urchins are actually in the pool. :p

SPUCK · 05-14-2008, 04:06 AM

Please tell me how they are going to keep a ton of algae from taking it over?

I bet it's really just the hotel waste water settling pond.

05-13-2008, 12:19 PM	#2
Shawnee123 Why, you're a regular Alfred E Einstein, ain't ya? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 21,206	Hmmm...pool, or ocean. Both very inviting. "I have a pool, and a pond. A pond would be good for you." --Ty Webb, to Carl Spackler __________________ A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones who need the advice. --Bill Cosby

05-13-2008, 12:21 PM	#3
Flint Snowflake Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Dystopia Posts: 13,136	I've often wondered why resports by the ocean feature a swimming pool. Don't they have swimming pools back home, wherever you're from?! I have stayed at a place where the ocean floor was too rocky for you to really get in it; so having a pool there made sense. And they did have a bar in the pool as well, which was nice. Can you put a bar in the ocean? I want to go to a bar in the ocean now. Of course when you're on a bar in the ocean, there's the danger of falling off. __________________ **************** There's a level of facility that everyone needs to accomplish, and from there it's a matter of deciding for yourself how important ultra-facility is to your expression. ... I found, like Joseph Campbell said, if you just follow whatever gives you a little joy or excitement or awe, then you're on the right track. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Terry Bozzio**

05-13-2008, 12:24 PM	#4
Trilby Slattern of the Swail Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 15,654	coz some people don't want to swim where sea monsters live, ya ninny! SEA MONSTERS! __________________ In Barrie's play and novel, the roles of fairies are brief: they are allies to the Lost Boys, the source of fairy dust and ...They are portrayed as dangerous, whimsical and extremely clever but quite hedonistic. "Shall I give you a kiss?" Peter asked and, jerking an acorn button off his coat, solemnly presented it to her. —James Barrie Wimminfolk they be tricksy. - ZenGum

05-13-2008, 12:29 PM	#5
Shawnee123 Why, you're a regular Alfred E Einstein, ain't ya? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 21,206	I'd prefer the ocean, myself. A floating ocean bar, I'm sure it's done somewhere. My new career dream. __________________ A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones who need the advice. --Bill Cosby

05-13-2008, 08:35 PM	#6
monster I hear them call the tide Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Perpetual Chaos Posts: 30,852	Safer. But c'mon... if you're going to all that effort, remove the damn salt already. Sure, Chlorine is icky, but it doesn't make you barf in the way salt water does. or fuck with your eczema and dry your skin. Quite so much. __________________ The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity Amelia Earhart

05-13-2008, 08:44 PM	#7
jinx Come on, cat. Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: general vicinity of Philadelphia area Posts: 7,013	That is so frickin awesome. I've been wanting to go to Chili for a while.... but holy shit, now I wanna go there NOW! I floating a pool next to the ocean. __________________ Crying won't help you, praying won't do you no good.

05-13-2008, 09:39 PM	#9
Tree Fae Major Inhabitant Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Raytown, MO Posts: 120	Give me an ocean anytime. I love fighting the wild waves, always fun trying to keep the suits on.... pick the right place and you don't have to worry about it. I loved Hedo 2, only thing you needed to wear was water socks.. Found out that the hard way stepping on a sea urchin the first day out. Oh to be back at the beach.... guess its not going to happen again any time soon. It was hard giving up the great vacations, but sanity is much more useful. Or at least the essence of sanity. __________________ May the Forest Be With You!!

05-13-2008, 10:06 PM	#10
DucksNuts Bitchy Little Brat Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Queensland, Australia Posts: 5,067	Meh, I like the ocean, but mainly for the sand activities...which is weird, coz I hate sand. Pool by the ocean is perfect!!

05-13-2008, 10:12 PM	#11
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	@Jinx, don't forget your kayak. Attached Images __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump.

05-13-2008, 10:47 PM	#12
Aliantha trying hard to be a better person Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 16,493	They had this resort on Getaway (Australian travel show) recently. I was amazed at the time, but thought what a cool place it'd be to go. I think the idea of it being salt is great. Much healthier than chlorine, specially if it's being 'refreshed' every day. I don't think you'd get me out of that pool if I was there...specially if it's got a floating bar! __________________ Kind words are the music of the world. F. W. Faber

05-13-2008, 11:37 PM	#13
lumberjim I can hear my ears Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 25,571	one day, we'll post pics of us in that pool. __________________ This body holding me reminds me of my own mortality Embrace this moment, remember We are eternal, all this pain is an illusion ~MJKeenan

05-14-2008, 12:59 AM	#14
Scriveyn amnesic-confabulatory opsimath Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Between my ears Posts: 739	The majority of monsters and urchins are actually in the pool. :p

05-14-2008, 04:06 AM	#15
SPUCK Professor Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 1,911	Please tell me how they are going to keep a ton of algae from taking it over? I bet it's really just the hotel waste water settling pond.

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