Sneaking into the neighbors' pool when they're away is a right of passage for suburban kids. But they shouldn't have all the fun.
Swimply, described as the "Airbnb of pools," lets people rent out their swimming pools by the hour, per Business Insider.
The app offers neighbors the opportunity to cool off on a hot day — something we could all use these days — while helping owners off-set the cost of maintaining a pool.
The company is also part of a growing trend of the airbnbification of your entire life, where nearly everything is rentable.
Dive into the sharing economy
Founded in 2018, Swimply made a splash in recent years with several rounds of funding — notably after sinking on Shark Tank in 2020 without a deal. (Who wants a shark in the pool anyway?)
- The startup has since grown and recently received $10M in funding.
- Listings now include 15K pools in 125 cities across the U.S., Canada, and Australia.
- Rates range from humble $30-$80/hour offerings to more luxe listings in the $200-$400/hour range.
- Some owners charge for added perks like barbecue packages.
Considering in-ground pools can average $65K and $3K-$6K/annually to maintain, it's a good way to recoup on that investment.
Swimply has also since expanded to other rentable amenities, including hot tubs and saunas; tennis, basketball, and pickleball courts; mansions for parties; and pet-friendly yards. It's also exploring offerings like music studios.
The airbnbification of life
We're now accustomed to riding in a stranger's car and staying at someone's home for vacation, so swimming in another person's pool feels like a natural progression of the sharing economy — though admittedly an intimate one.
We can also expect to see more sharing in the future: the sharing economy is expected to grow from $244.8B in 2025 to $752.83B in 2030.
These days, peer-to-peer renting includes parking and storage, unused classrooms, RVs, clothing, and backyards for your dog. Heck, you can even rent a friend or attend a stranger's wedding.
Airbnbification does have its drawbacks, including climbing prices, disruption of housing markets, and the distortion of community-centered origins.
But as temps soar this summer, you might just find me in the neighbor's pool.