Swimply, the first online marketplace for pool sharing.
Everywhere, beaches are limiting capacity, public pools enforcing social-distancing strategies and a shortage of above-ground pools available for purchase, have people desperate to get in the water.
On Swimply, which launched last year, pool rentals cost anywhere from $45 to $125 per hour, plus fees for additional guests.
“New York is our second biggest market” after Los Angeles, said Swimply co-founder Bunim Laskin, 23, noting there’s been a 20-percent increase week over week in bookings all summer long.
For example, one pool owner Melissa Reilly, charges $125 an hour for her Islip, NY, pool, which is tricked-out with a waterfall, diving board, firepit, bar area and comfy shaded chaise longues.
“Ever since COVID hit, we have people requesting the pool seven days a week,” said the mom of four, whose customers are Manhattanites driving two hours from the city for an aquatic escape.
“We’ve probably made $20,000 so far,” said Reilly, even after Swimply’s 15-percent cut. (The app also charges swimmers a 10-percent booking fee.)
She said she’s happy to provide a fun summer excursion for overheated New Yorkers, “but it’s more fun for us, because we’re making money.”
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