For many New Zealand homeowners, the backyard pool is a big investment that spends most of the year sitting quiet. Often the reason is simple: most backyard pools are too short for a real swim. A few strokes and you're turning again, so serious swimmers head to the public pool and the kids soon run out of things to do in still water.
The good news is that turning an underused pool into one the whole household enjoys is often a single upgrade, not a new build. The catch is timing. Leave it until the weather warms up and you'll be competing for installers just as swim season starts.
Plan your renovation in the cooler months instead and you can step into summer with a pool that's ready from the very first warm weekend.
This guide explains why timing matters and which renovations add the most everyday value, then walks you through planning your pool renovation.
Why plan pool renovations before summer?
Planning in autumn or winter gives you time to make considered decisions on equipment and installation without rushing against a summer deadline. Pool specialists, electricians and installers tend to be busiest once the weather warms up, so starting early helps protect your peak swim weeks.
Early planning also gives you time to visit a showroom and experience the technology for yourself. You can confirm your pool's suitability, get a site check and lock in a plan before the season starts.
Visit your nearest local dealer
What renovation adds the most everyday value?
For most pool owners, the biggest gain comes from adding a swim current. Nothing else turns a leisure pool into a daily fitness space as quickly or with as little disruption.
Retrofit a swim current into the pool you already own
The Fastlane Swim™ is engineered to retrofit into almost any existing pool, with a minimum water depth of 89 cm. In-ground or above-ground, concrete, fibreglass or vinyl-lined, your pool becomes a private lap space without starting from scratch.
You can choose a deck mount or a wall mount to suit your pool's layout. The deck mount attaches to your existing pool deck without structural changes, and once a licensed electrician has the dedicated circuit in place, it can be swimming-ready within hours.
Fastlane Swim™ or Fastlane Tread™: which suits your project?
If you're building a new pool rather than upgrading the one you have, there's a second option to weigh up. The right choice depends on whether you're upgrading an existing pool or building a new one. Choose the Fastlane Swim™ to add a lap current to the pool you already own. Choose the Fastlane Tread™ if you're designing a new pool and want an underwater treadmill built in from day one.
- Installation: The Fastlane Swim™ is a retrofit solution for almost any existing pool. The Fastlane Tread™ is designed exclusively for new pool construction, with structural channels built into the pool foundation so it sits flush during use. These channels also allow it to be temporarily removed for servicing.
- Training focus: The Fastlane Swim™ is built for lap swimming, stroke technique and endurance. The Fastlane Tread™ offers an underwater walking and running surface for low-impact cardio and joint rehabilitation.
- Compatibility: The Fastlane Tread™ is an optional upgrade on the EP-Series, Plus-Series, Pro-Series, Plunge Pools and Commercial Dual Propulsion models. It isn't available on the entry-level SP-Series. On Dual Propulsion models, you can combine the Fastlane Tread™ with the Fastlane Swim™ in the same pool.
Can a leisure pool become a multi-generational hub?
Yes, with the right combination of equipment. Once your swim current is in place, you can add equipment that turns a basic backyard footprint into a space every member of the household comes back to.
Swimmers get a dedicated training lane without public pool crowds or lane bookings. For families, the current gives kids a reason to trade screens for the water, from lazy-river floats to games together.
Add low-impact cycling with the Aquabike™
The Aquabike™ is a lightweight water bike compatible with all Endless Pools® modular lines, including the EP, Plus, Pro, SP and Plunge Pools ranges. It also works in any existing pool retrofitted with a Fastlane Swim™. It delivers low-impact resistance cycling for leg strength and cardio, without the pounding of the road.
For a Dual Propulsion new build, pairing the Fastlane Swim™ and Fastlane Tread™ with the Aquabike™ lets one pool support high-intensity training and gentle recovery side by side.
Key takeaways
- Plan in autumn or winter to secure a site check and installation before summer.
- The Fastlane Tread™ must be planned into a new pool build from the start.
- The Aquabike™ adds low-impact cycling to any Fastlane Swim™ retrofit pool or Endless Pools® modular line.
Comparing your Fastlane upgrade options
|
Upgrade |
Suits |
Best for |
Key benefit |
|
Fastlane Swim™ |
Existing pools (min. 89 cm depth) and new builds |
Lap training, technique, family fun |
Airless Hydrodrive™ current in the pool you already own |
|
Fastlane Tread™ |
New pool construction only (combines with Fastlane Swim™ on Dual Propulsion models) |
Low-impact cardio, joint rehabilitation |
Underwater treadmill set into structural foundation channels |
|
Aquabike™ |
Any Fastlane Swim™ retrofit pool and Endless Pools® modular lines |
Leg strength, cross-training |
Low-impact resistance cycling in the water |
What does ownership involve?
Before you commit, it helps to know what owning a swim current involves. A swim current should add freedom to your pool, not a second job. The Fastlane Swim™ is engineered to run lean and stay simple year after year.
- Runs only when you swim: The 5-horsepower hydraulic power unit operates only while the current is on, so there's nothing drawing power between sessions.
- No mains power poolside: The remotely located power unit drives the current through hydraulic hoses using biodegradable vegetable oil, keeping mains electricity away from the pool.
- Simple servicing: An oil and filter change on the power unit every 500 hours of use, carried out through your local Hot Spring dealer.
How do you plan your pool renovation?
With the right upgrade chosen, the final step is getting it booked in before summer. Start with a conversation. A Fastlane expert can confirm your pool's suitability, recommend a mounting option and map out the installation before work begins.
Hot Spring supports your installation from the initial site check through to handover, with a licensed electrician completing the electrical work to local codes. From purchase to installation to your first swim can take as little as a week, although your pool's construction and the mounting option you choose will shape your final plan. If you're building a new pool, bring your builder or designer in early so the Fastlane Tread™ channels can be specified from day one.
Frequently asked questions
Can I add a swim current to my existing pool?
In most cases, yes. The Fastlane Swim™ retrofits into almost any existing pool with a minimum water depth of 89 cm.
How fast is the Fastlane Swim™ current?
It offers 52 incremental speed settings up to a pace of 1:14 per 100 metres, from gentle starts to competitive training.
Can I add a Fastlane Tread™ to my current pool?
No. The Fastlane Tread™ needs structural channels built into the pool foundation, so it must be planned into a new pool build.
How long does a pool upgrade take?
Once power is in place, a deck-mount Fastlane Swim™ can be swimming-ready within hours. From purchase to first swim can take as little as a week.
Is a swim current expensive to run?
The hydraulic power unit only runs while the current is on, so running costs stop when your swim ends.
Why choose Hot Spring for your pool upgrade?
Fastlane is backed by Hot Spring®, with 45 years of aquatic engineering and an established dealer network across New Zealand and Australia. That means local expertise during installation and service support for the life of the product.
Whether you're upgrading the pool you already own or designing a new one, our team can help you plan a pool that's ready for summer.
