Swimming Pond Bottom Slippery!! Help!!

[heyatx]

Hey Y'all!

I need some help!! I have a NSP in my backyard, built last year. EPDM liner, no rocks on the bottom. Two depth levels, (5.5 ft. deepest, 3ft shallow area, plants divided by block wall.) Biofilter with UV sterilizer.

I was walking around the shallows yesterday carrying a lily to divide and slipped so hard, lily went flying, I went flying, almost hit my face on the concrete block dividing wall!!!!

I know most theories on pea pebbles are that it's a big no-no, but how else can I walk around without busting my a$$?!? We are also planning to have friends over to swim and I don't want to be responsible for broken noses/faces/etc.

It's would just be for the shallow swimming area. It's also difficult to go from the ladder to the shallows without slipping. Any thoughts on alternatives?? I uploaded a pic of where they'd need to go. Thanks in advance!!

 

[sissy]

even pea gravel will be slippery .it not only will move under your feet but it will get muck on it and be more slippery

 

[MitchM]

People that fly fish in streams have felt pads that attach to the bottom of their boots. You could try those.

 

[Meyer Jordan]

Slippery liner surface is part of the package with any pond, NSP or other.

 

[mrsclem]

Put on a pair of socks! I had the same problem and a pair of old socks solved it for me.

 

[sissy]

The socks with the little rubber gripping things on the bottom would work .

 

[Usman]

you can use any anti-slip deep grooved concrete tiles or rubber matting

 

[audioenvy]

Felt sole wading boots at Cabelas are less than the cost of a nice pair of shoes. That's what I use.

 

[moby]

Difficult to swim with a pair of rubber waders on though...or so I would imagine!

 

[IPA]

I imagine the OP sought help elsewhere but has anyone watched the David Pagan Butler Videos? I like his air powered skimmer.

 

[Meyer Jordan]

OP apparently has a desire for a Natural Swim Pond....as long as it is not too natural.

 

[Stephen T.]

Could you find a large roll of non-slip bathtub grip stuff? I had one from a yard sale, so I know it's out there. It had a sticky back that stays stuck. The strips were an inch or so wide and I think the roll must have been 50' long.

 

[Lisak1]

Could you find a large roll of non-slip bathtub grip stuff?

I think even this would grow a layer of slippery stuff as it stays submerged. Your bathtub goes through cycles of wet and dry, so it doesn't grow algae on the surface. Pond liner isn't slippery either when it's dry. Nor is it all that slippery when it's newly wet - but give it a few days and it's a veritable slip and slide!

 

[judymiller]

we have the same problem: “Slippery” liner bottom. Wondering if anyone has ever tried putting in some thin outdoor carpet? i’m thinking, it could be cut to rough fit the bottom. it might stop the slippage and could be taken out occasionally , and hosed down to keep the muck from collecting on the bottom.

 

[poconojoe]

What is NSP? Natural swimming pond?
Are there any fish or plants in there? If not, why not treat it like a swimming pool. Chlorine and algaecide? Or is that the point, not to add chemicals? Not sure what is going on here....