Latest news with #Swimply
New York Post
4 hours ago
- Business
- New York Post
I pay my mortgage by renting out my pool year-round — and turn it into a ‘private oasis'
Advertisement If your house has a swimming pool, you might just be sitting on a gold mine. Thousands of people are renting out their pools for big bucks on Swimply—an online marketplace for hourly rentals of pools and outdoor spaces. And many are using the cash to pay their mortgage payments and home renovations. Radio host Jim Beach, 57, of Atlanta, is one of those people. Advertisement 'I saw an interview with the CEO, and it seemed like a cool idea to explore,' he says. 'We signed up and had a booking in two hours.' He and his wife Megan were surprised how much money could be made—and how fast the money started to roll in. 'It kicked into gear quickly,' says Beach. 'We made the most money our first season, because there was less competition.' 6 Radio host Jim Beach, 57, of Atlanta Rents out his pool. Jim Beach Advertisement They're now entering their fourth season of renting out their pool on Swimply, with the going rate of $60 an hour for use of their beautiful, in-ground pool. Beach reveals that they make $2,000 a month in summer, and $1,000 a month in late spring and early fall. The money has been so good, they even domed their heated pool one winter to extend their season. There was that much demand! 6 Beach revealed that based on the season, they will make 1-2 thousand dollars. Jim Beach Money for the mortgage Advertisement The best part of the arrangement is that the side hustle has brought in enough cash to make a significant impact on their lives. 'The first time we made enough on Swimply to pay our mortgage payment in full was very exciting,' he says. 'We were very happy.' 6 Not only did being on Swimply pay their mortgage, it also financed their kitchen renovation. Jim Beach But it didn't stop there. Beach says being on Swimply also financed their kitchen renovation. However, this is far from passive income. Beach says a lot of work goes into this side hustle, especially in the yard. In fact, he said he'd just laid 60 bags of mulch a few days before to get the area ready for guests. 'We pride ourselves on lots of flowers, elephant ears, and a perfectly clean yard and pool area,' he says, adding that it takes roughly 15 to 20 minutes to make the yard perfect prior to each rental. Thankfully, he has some extra hands to help. 'We make the kids—who are 10 and 14—help a lot,' says Beach. 'We tell them it pays for their tennis and gymnastics lessons, so they happily help and know their chores.' The lay of the land In addition to the hot tub and saltwater pool, which was redone in 2021, Beach's property boasts a steep ravine with a creek; a 30-foot swinging bridge to a treehouse; a private bathroom and shower; and a diving board. Advertisement 6 Not just passive income: Beach spends a lot of to maintain his yard. Jim Beach 6 Instagram users flock to this location for the photo op. 'We have an amazing photo spot,' says Beach. 'We have many Instagram guests that come just to take pics.' They also offer special packages to make their listing stand out from the competition, such as a roses-and-candles romance package. Advertisement They also offer a floating breakfast brunch with pastries, eggs, French toast, fruit, fresh OJ, bacon, and sausage. 6 To date, Beach's pool has gotten 204 5-star reviews. To accommodate pet lovers, dog swims are even allowed for an additional cleaning fee. Beach and his wife pride themselves on their attention to detail and great customer service. To date, the Beachs' pool has gotten 204 5-star reviews, with users calling it 'magical' and a 'private oasis.' Advertisement Beach says he would encourage other homeowners to try Swimply to help pay their mortgages and fund home renovations—especially if their pool is unique and interesting. 'We have been very happy using it,' he says. 'In fact, several of our Swimply clients are now close friends.'
Cision Canada
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Cision Canada
No Backyard? No Problem! President's Choice® Brings Bookable Backyards to Toronto and Vancouver This Summer
One Backyard. Six Friends. Countless Summer Moments. BRAMPTON, ON, June 9, 2025 /CNW/ - As summer heats up, President's Choice ® is partnering with Swimply to make outdoor entertaining accessible with the launch of Bookable Backyards, a unique seasonal experience in Toronto and Vancouver. For those lacking private outdoor space, PC ® is offering the chance to reserve a well-equipped backyard for free with Swimply – the leading marketplace that connects people with unique outdoor spaces and experiences inviting Canadians to create the most epic summer memories. From June 21 to July 6, adults (18+) in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and Greater Vancouver Area (GVA) can book a private backyard haven for a 4-hour (1:00-5:00pm) time slot across three weekends. Imagine stepping into your own urban space: a backyard setup with a table, chairs, patio umbrella, entertainment, and of course, a selection of new and delicious PC ® burgers, dips, chips, desserts, and sparkling beverages from the PC ® Summer Insiders Report. Designed for groups of up to six people, the experience is further enhanced by on-site hosts dedicated to ensuring a perfect Canadian summer gathering. "With PC ® Bookable Backyards, we're making PC's vision 'Possible Lives Here' a reality," says Lindsay Cook, Head of Marketing for PC. "Summer is peak entertaining time in Canada, but not everyone has access to outdoor space to host an epic barbeque. With the help of Swimply, our goal is to remove some barriers and bring those coveted everyday summer experiences – grilling, relaxing outdoors with friends – to more people. We're here to help everyone create their own perfect summer story." Bookable Backyards brings an unexpected way to create new possibilities for entertaining and social experiences to those who may not have the ideal space for it. By integrating seasonal offerings from the PC ® Summer Insiders Report, Bookable Backyards invites guests to gather, grill, create unforgettable summer moments, and enjoy quintessential summer experiences, like firing up the grill and sharing mouthwatering eats, all without breaking the bank. A partnership that began with 'Possible Lives Here' – a campaign that launched the President's Choice Masterbrand – Bookable Backyards is the latest collaboration between PC ® and Zulu Alpha Kilo, showcasing how the PC ® family of brands works together to improve the lives of Canadians. "Bookable Backyards is a chance for condo-dwellers to enjoy the ultimate backyard BBQ experience. For President's Choice, it's an opportunity to connect with Canadians in an authentic way," says Brian Murray, Chief Creative Officer at Zulu Alpha Kilo. "What excites us most about partnering with President's Choice is how naturally their Bookable Backyards campaign aligns with Swimply's mission to democratize access to outdoor spaces," says Bunim Laskin, Founder and CEO of Swimply. "Their vision of making backyard experiences accessible to urban Canadians mirrors our belief that everyone deserves the chance to create amazing memories in beautiful settings." Bookable Backyard slots are released one week in advance for each weekend on a first-come, first-served basis, so book quickly! Canadians can head to to book. About Loblaw Companies Limited Loblaw is Canada's food and pharmacy leader, and the nation's largest retailer. Loblaw provides Canadians with grocery, pharmacy, health and beauty, apparel, general merchandise, financial services and wireless mobile products and services. With more than 2,500 corporate franchised and Associate-owned locations, Loblaw, its franchisees, and Associate-owners employ more than 220,000 full- and part-time employees, making it one of Canada's largest private sector employers. Loblaw's purpose – Live Life Well ® – puts first the needs and well-being of Canadians who make one billion transactions annually in the company's stores. Loblaw is positioned to meet and exceed those needs in many ways: convenient locations; more than 1,100 grocery stores that span the value spectrum from discount to specialty; full-service pharmacies at nearly 1,400 Shoppers Drug Mart ® and Pharmaprix ® locations and close to 500 Loblaw locations; PC Financial ® services; affordable Joe Fresh ® fashion and family apparel; and four of Canada's top-consumer brands in Life Brand ®, Farmer's Market™, no name ® and President's Choice ®. About Zulu Alpha Kilo We Fight Sameness. At Zulu Alpha Kilo (Z.A.K. for short), fighting sameness is not just our creative mission. It's why we exist. With offices in Toronto, New York and Vancouver, we're a full-service agency with 185 full-time people. Our agency's unique culture is passionate, entrepreneurial and fearless in the pursuit of groundbreaking ideas. Launched in 2008, Z.A.K. has built a reputation as an industry outlier and one of the most respected independent agencies in the world creating innovative ideas for our clients that include: Subaru Canada, President's Choice, Bell, Interac, Harry's, Destination BC, and AGO. For three years running, Fast Company has recognized our work in their World Changing Ideas issue and in 2024 Z.A.K. made Fast Company's list of the World's Most Innovative Companies. About Swimply
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
No Backyard? No Problem! President's Choice® Brings Bookable Backyards to Toronto and Vancouver This Summer
One Backyard. Six Friends. Countless Summer Moments. BRAMPTON, ON, June 9, 2025 /CNW/ - As summer heats up, President's Choice® is partnering with Swimply to make outdoor entertaining accessible with the launch of Bookable Backyards, a unique seasonal experience in Toronto and Vancouver. For those lacking private outdoor space, PC® is offering the chance to reserve a well-equipped backyard for free with Swimply – the leading marketplace that connects people with unique outdoor spaces and experiences inviting Canadians to create the most epic summer memories. From June 21 to July 6, adults (18+) in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and Greater Vancouver Area (GVA) can book a private backyard haven for a 4-hour (1:00-5:00pm) time slot across three weekends. Imagine stepping into your own urban space: a backyard setup with a table, chairs, patio umbrella, entertainment, and of course, a selection of new and delicious PC® burgers, dips, chips, desserts, and sparkling beverages from the PC® Summer Insiders Report. Designed for groups of up to six people, the experience is further enhanced by on-site hosts dedicated to ensuring a perfect Canadian summer gathering. "With PC® Bookable Backyards, we're making PC's vision 'Possible Lives Here' a reality," says Lindsay Cook, Head of Marketing for PC. "Summer is peak entertaining time in Canada, but not everyone has access to outdoor space to host an epic barbeque. With the help of Swimply, our goal is to remove some barriers and bring those coveted everyday summer experiences – grilling, relaxing outdoors with friends – to more people. We're here to help everyone create their own perfect summer story." Bookable Backyards brings an unexpected way to create new possibilities for entertaining and social experiences to those who may not have the ideal space for it. By integrating seasonal offerings from the PC® Summer Insiders Report, Bookable Backyards invites guests to gather, grill, create unforgettable summer moments, and enjoy quintessential summer experiences, like firing up the grill and sharing mouthwatering eats, all without breaking the bank. A partnership that began with 'Possible Lives Here' – a campaign that launched the President's Choice Masterbrand – Bookable Backyards is the latest collaboration between PC® and Zulu Alpha Kilo, showcasing how the PC® family of brands works together to improve the lives of Canadians. "Bookable Backyards is a chance for condo-dwellers to enjoy the ultimate backyard BBQ experience. For President's Choice, it's an opportunity to connect with Canadians in an authentic way," says Brian Murray, Chief Creative Officer at Zulu Alpha Kilo. "What excites us most about partnering with President's Choice is how naturally their Bookable Backyards campaign aligns with Swimply's mission to democratize access to outdoor spaces," says Bunim Laskin, Founder and CEO of Swimply. "Their vision of making backyard experiences accessible to urban Canadians mirrors our belief that everyone deserves the chance to create amazing memories in beautiful settings." Bookable Backyard slots are released one week in advance for each weekend on a first-come, first-served basis, so book quickly! Canadians can head to to book. About Loblaw Companies Limited Loblaw is Canada's food and pharmacy leader, and the nation's largest retailer. Loblaw provides Canadians with grocery, pharmacy, health and beauty, apparel, general merchandise, financial services and wireless mobile products and services. With more than 2,500 corporate franchised and Associate-owned locations, Loblaw, its franchisees, and Associate-owners employ more than 220,000 full- and part-time employees, making it one of Canada's largest private sector employers. Loblaw's purpose – Live Life Well® – puts first the needs and well-being of Canadians who make one billion transactions annually in the company's stores. Loblaw is positioned to meet and exceed those needs in many ways: convenient locations; more than 1,100 grocery stores that span the value spectrum from discount to specialty; full-service pharmacies at nearly 1,400 Shoppers Drug Mart® and Pharmaprix® locations and close to 500 Loblaw locations; PC Financial® services; affordable Joe Fresh® fashion and family apparel; and four of Canada's top-consumer brands in Life Brand®, Farmer's Market™, no name® and President's Choice®. About Zulu Alpha Kilo We Fight Sameness. At Zulu Alpha Kilo (Z.A.K. for short), fighting sameness is not just our creative mission. It's why we exist. With offices in Toronto, New York and Vancouver, we're a full-service agency with 185 full-time people. Our agency's unique culture is passionate, entrepreneurial and fearless in the pursuit of groundbreaking ideas. Launched in 2008, Z.A.K. has built a reputation as an industry outlier and one of the most respected independent agencies in the world creating innovative ideas for our clients that include: Subaru Canada, President's Choice, Bell, Interac, Harry's, Destination BC, and AGO. For three years running, Fast Company has recognized our work in their World Changing Ideas issue and in 2024 Z.A.K. made Fast Company's list of the World's Most Innovative Companies. About Swimply Founded in 2019, Swimply is a marketplace that connects owners of underutilized private amenities like pools and sports courts with people seeking to gather, engage in activities, and enjoy local amenities. The company is trailblazing the experiential-based sharing category and creating an entirely new income stream for property owners with spaces that are otherwise used sparingly. For users, Swimply is disrupting the market and providing an option for individuals who may not have access to certain facilities or amenities. For more details and to book your own local escape, visit SOURCE Loblaw Companies Limited - Public Relations View original content: Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
USA Today
7 hours ago
- Business
- USA Today
An Airbnb for backyard pools? With this app, you can rent them by the hour.
An Airbnb for backyard pools? With this app, you can rent them by the hour. Show Caption Hide Caption Summer rentals: Where to rent pools, boats, tennis courts Spice up your summer by renting out amazing pools and boats with these websites. Years ago, startups called Uber and Airbnb changed the way Americans thought about taxicabs and hotels. An app named Swimply is attempting another paradigm shift. This time, the subject is swimming pools. Swimply allows users to rent backyard pools by the hour. Launched in 2019, the company now hosts 15,000 private pools in more than 150 cities, according to Bunim Laskin, its 28-year-old CEO. He says business has doubled in the past year. Renting a neighbor's swimming pool is 'a brand-new behavior that's objectively healthy for people in every conceivable way,' Laskin said. 'It's the one app that lets you put your phone away and spend time with the people you love.' Renting a backyard pool: How does that work? And if you own a backyard pool, you might be wondering how, exactly, an app like Swimply would work. How might it feel to have a carload of strangers show up and jump into your pool? What would the neighbors think? Who supplies the towels? Just like Uber and Airbnb before it, Swimply has inspired bureaucratic puzzlement in some local governments. Remember the days when Uber threatened the nation's taxicab fleet, and when cities mobilized to ban Airbnb rentals? Similar skirmishes have erupted over Swimply. In Rockland County, New York, officials are investigating whether private pool rentals violate public health codes. Regulators in Minnesota and North Carolina are treating Swimply rentals as 'public pools,' with all that the term implies about licensing and regulation. Affluent D.C. suburbs have struggled with Swimply. Laskin said the regulatory challenges have affected 'less than 0.2%' of pool hosts. 'Pools are very dangerous things' Questions swirl, too, about potential liability. Swimming pools are, after all, filled with water. People can drown in water. Many homeowners go to great lengths to keep strangers out of their backyard pools, rather than lure them in. 'Pools are very dangerous things,' said Matthew Alegi, a real estate lawyer outside Washington, D.C. 'There's no lifeguard sitting at these Swimply pools.' Of course, the idea of renting a backyard pool is nothing new. Many vacation rentals come with pools. Home-sharing and vacation rental sites Airbnb and Vrbo offer liability insurance. Some insurers offer short-term rental coverage. With Swimply, however, you're only renting the pool. In the home insurance world, that's a less familiar scenario. 'The issue is that these homeowners are not doing the research to make sure their policy is going to cover it if something goes wrong,' said Khalil Farah, a personal injury attorney in Jacksonville, Florida. Laskin, Swimply's CEO, said the app offers every pool-rental host $1 million in liability coverage, a provision patterned on Airbnb. All pool guests sign waivers. Farah worries, though, that Swimply's insurance policy has 'a ton of exclusions.' If pool renters drink alcohol or violate the rental agreement, he said, Swimply will deny coverage. Farah said pool hosts would be wise to contact their home insurer, explain the situation and ask for a policy addendum that covers the liabilities inherent in renting out a backyard pool. 'You need to make sure the insurance agent knows what you're using it for,' he said. More: Rising cost of homeowners insurance is scaring away millions of Americans As for families thinking of renting someone else's pool, Alegi said they, too, should know the potential risks, especially if they rent outside their own community. 'You don't know the people,' he said. 'You don't know the location. You don't know how many ring cameras there are.' Pool hosts must set ground rules with neighbors Swimply has taken a cautious approach to pool rentals, Laskin said, fully aware that not everyone on the block will welcome random strangers in swimsuits. Pool hosts are required to reach out to neighbors to establish ground rules about parking cars, pool hours and other items of etiquette. 'And we give neighbors a way to report when it doesn't work out,' Laskin said. All new pool listings "go through a 24-hour verification process by our trust and safety team" to ensure they are safe and secure, Laskin said, followed by an ongoing "review and reporting system." Any pool rental with a one-star review is removed from the app. Laskin said he dreamed up Swimply in 2018. He was the oldest of 12 children in a Lakewood, New Jersey, household. A neighbor had installed a swimming pool. Eying the pool, Laskin offered to help the neighbor with her expenses if she allowed the Laskin kids to use it. The neighbor reluctantly agreed. Within two weeks, she had five families renting her pool, each paying some of the costs. Inspired, Laskin set about building a business. 'I went on Google Earth, found 80 swimming pools, knocked on everyone's doors, got four people to agree, and just plastered my phone number around town,' he said. From four pools to 15,000 Laskin started out with four Lakewood pools for rent. By summer's end, 20 more pool owners had signed on. By the summer of 2019, the list of hosts had grown to 40. Laskin dropped out of school, raised $1 million and launched Swimply. The app grew from five cities in 2019 to 35 in 2020. Business boomed in the pandemic, as families searched for uncrowded pools. Swimply is based in Venice, California, not far from its competition: the ocean. Between 2024 and 2025, Laskin said, the number of Swimply hosts doubled from 7,000 to 15,000. He thinks inflation helped. 'People are looking for additional sources of revenue more than ever, and people are looking to stay local,' he said. Swimply is inordinately popular with stay-at-home moms, a population always looking for healthy outdoor activities. Roughly 70% of Swimply guests are families, Laskin said. Others are lone adults looking to swim laps. A few are larger groups seeking pool parties. Nearly all guests rent pools in their own communities. Pool hosts are allowed to exclude large groups, children or pets. You can also invite pets. The pet-friendly pool has surged in popularity, Laskin said. Hourly fees can top $300, for palatial pools with ocean views. Nine out of 10 rentals happen in summer, but some owners turn a big business in winter with indoor pools, hot tubs and other warm options. Some hosts toss in extra services. Laskin and his wife have rented pool packages that came with chef-prepared dinners, magic shows and pickleball lessons. 'The goal was for your backyard pool to make you a couple hundred bucks, maybe a thousand bucks in summer,' Laskin said. 'And now we have folks earning $100,000 a year. The goal was to have it pay for your pool. Now it's paying for people's mortgages.'
Buzz Feed
20-03-2025
- Buzz Feed
"Airbnb For Pools" Actually Exists And I Tried It To See If It's Worth The $$$
Bet you didn't know this — but there's an Airbnb FOR POOLS. Swimply To see if it was worth dishing out the cash, I booked myself a poolside day on Swimply for a moment of relaxation. My apartment complex doesn't have a pool but I wanted to spend at least one of the remaining sunny days Down Under (safely, of course), with a dip. The pool I was using was $60 an hour, and located in Matraville, about a 30-minute drive from Bondi, where I live. It was quite nerve-wracking walking into someone's backyard in a suburban area. I kept double-checking the address to make sure I was at the right house because there was no indication there was even a pool in the back, let alone that it was the one I'd rented. But once I was in — with a little help — I have to say, I was relaxed! I pulled together a solo cheeseboard and settled in amongst the white stone tiles and the surrounding trees casting shadows on the water. Sangeeta Kocharekar Armed with a fresh biography, my snacks and a big hat, I had four hours of alternating between pool dips, laptop work and poolside reading. Sangeeta Kocharekar Highly recommend a solo pool day. When my time was up at 4pm, I collected my belongings and washed up the cheeseboard and knife, along with a wine glass that I used to drink tap water, in the sink. At 5pm, I got an email saying my booking had been completed and that I could now leave a review on the property, Would I use Swimply again? 100%. One of my favourite ways to relax is to hang by a pool, and, not having the luxury of having my own, made it easy to do so. Sangeeta Kocharekar The pool also allowed up to 20 people so, if I'd wanted to relax with friends (note that no drinking is allowed), I could've done that too. While it did feel strange to be letting myself into someone's backyard, I can imagine that the more you do it, especially if you're booking at the same pool again and again, the more 'normal' it'll feel. I mean, if you'd asked me 10 years ago if I'd have jumped into a stranger's car for a ride I ordered on an app, I would've laughed at you. Now, we're all using Uber.
