Dans Papers - June 8, 2007 - Gadgets With A Splash

Congratulations, you've made it through another winter and, if you're lucky enough to have a pool, now is the time to enjoy the warm weather that's coming. Pool gadgets are a dime a dozen. Some are made for fun and others are made to make life easier. We'll examine a couple of new things out there that will sure make a splash this summer.

When I say gadget, I don't necessarily mean something small and electronic. In fact, the first on the list is neither. This is only for those with very large pools or access to a bay. It is the inflatable iceberg. Over 15 feet high with three climbing walls and a slide, this colossus will give your kids titanic amounts of fun. The climbing challenge ranges from beginner to expert depending on the side you choose. Get to the top and slide back down. Just remember not to play king of the mountain because someone may get injured. The other thing this iceberg may hurt is your wallet. At over $8000 it isn't something to take lightly.

Speaking about oversized floatables, you've got the Big Bobber. Designed to look like a classic fishing bobber (round, white on the top, red on the bottom) this little cooler can handle twelve cans and has a 14-inch diameter.

Though Apple hasn't released a waterproof iPod, there are other options to get your playlists out to the pool area this summer. Use H2O Audio's waterproof housings to seal the water out and secure some serious tunes in the water. Submergible up to ten feet, these casings and headphones are perfect for swimming laps or just floating around in an inner tube. If you want to listen to The Little Mermaid soundtrack at 200 feet, then you'll have to buy the DV series. They run from $80 and up. Nano cases are less and headphones cost around $40 and are not included.

The remote controlled robotic shark from Hammacher Schlemmer is something even Austin Powers would be proud of (though they are not equipped with frickin' laser beams). It is two feet long and dives to nine feet. The tale sways just like a real shark, the only thing is real sharks don't have a red propeller attached to the tail, go in reverse or only last for fifteen minutes. If you want to feel like a remote control shark, you could get the motorized pool lounge chair and the remote control floatable serving tray, both from Hammacher Schlemmer. To take that mechanized underwater feeling to the next level, get your hands on the Sea Doo Aqua Scout G3. It looks like a bullet with a fan attached to the back, but strap on a snorkel and put it in the water and you better hold on. It'll pull you around the pool for about two hours at a max speed of 2 mph. Light and easy to use, it makes exploring the not so deep blue a blast.

If you'd prefer to actually burn calories in the water, you can find a slew of aqua-aerobics equipment. The Hydro-Tone Total System will get you started for under $200. Equipped with resistance barbells and boots, as well as an instructional video, you will be well on your way to making waves this summer by the old watering hole.

The coolest thing that I have seen will cost you a pretty penny, but it's worth it. If you're sick of calling Main Beach for surf reports or visiting surfline.com, get stoked and contact a company by the name of Surfparks. Though the organization is currently working across the country including Randall's Island, NYC, designing industrial-sized perpetual surf pools, maybe you can convince them that you need to spend every day of your life inside the greenroom instead of inside the boardroom. The surf parks create perfect waves all day long and can even be used indoors if that is what you desire. Beware they are huge and can take up the whole backyard, but for anyone who opted for acreage instead of oceanfront, here is your shot at having the best of both worlds.

So there you have it - from the top of the heap to the depths of the deep. Your swimming pool isn't just about holding onto a noodle for dear life or trying to ride an orca raft anymore.