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All three use the same UV-resistant pultruded fiberglass and include a belt, carabiner, and carry bag. The difference is height and flex:

• ST3 — 69" tall, 39" flex range, 3-piece construction. The tallest pole with the most flex, giving you the smoothest, most natural swim feel. Best for lap swimmers, triathletes, and performance training.
• ST2 — 47" tall, 25" flex range, 2-piece construction. A balanced mid-height option that works great for most people and pools. Best for families and fitness swimmers.
• ST1 — 24" tall, 7" flex range, 1-piece construction. Short and rigid by design. Best for water aerobics, therapy, resistance exercises, and swim spas.

See the full comparison →

Every kit ships with your selected pole (or poles for multi-piece models), one stretch cord, a swim belt, an anodized aluminum carabiner, and a carry bag. Adding an install base is optional — choose one if you need it, or skip it if you already have one mounted. Concrete deck bases and threaded wood deck bases also include a rubber plug that caps the base when the pole isn't installed.

EPDM rubber (Shore-A 60 hardness). EPDM is highly resistant to UV, ozone, chlorine, and saltwater — it won't degrade from pool chemicals. Cords are available from 4.5ft to 20ft and stretch approximately 24% under normal swimming tension.

Pultruded fiberglass — the same material used in fishing rods and high-performance composite structures. It's lightweight, extremely durable, UV-resistant, and won't corrode from pool chemicals or saltwater. The multi-piece models (ST2 and ST3) use progressively narrower diameter sections joined by precision CNC'd anodized 6061 aluminum fittings to create the flex curve.

• Concrete Deck Base — Drill-in anchor for concrete, stone, or paver decks. Included with every kit at no extra charge. Ships with a rubber plug to cap the base when the pole isn't installed.
• Threaded Wood Deck Base — Made of 316 stainless steel. Requires drilling into wood or composite decking and is secured with a heavy-duty nut (included). Ships with a rubber plug to cap the base when the pole isn't installed.
• Arctic Spa Adapter — Threaded adapter that screws directly into the female threaded receiver built into Arctic Spas swim spas. No drilling or additional hardware required.

Already have a base installed from a previous Swim Tether? Select "I Already Have a Base" in the kit builder and we'll skip the base.

Absolutely. Beyond lap swimming, the Swim Tether is great for:

• Water aerobics — resistance training for upper and lower body (the ST1 is ideal)
• Aqua jogging — low-impact cardio without needing a deep pool
• Rehabilitation therapy — safe, controlled movement in water
• Strength training — resistance work with the belt or optional accessories

Yes. Cords, belts, carabiners, and bases can all be ordered individually. Contact us and we'll help you find what you need.

Yes. The concrete base needs a drill with a masonry bit — about 15 minutes. The wood deck base is also drill-in, secured with a heavy-duty nut that's included. The Arctic Spa Adapter simply threads into the built-in receiver on Arctic Spas swim spas — no drilling or extra hardware needed. Step-by-step instructions are included with every order.

Yes — and a new pour is the perfect time to do it. In a standard install, the Swim Tether base flange sits 0.17" above the deck surface. If you'd prefer a completely flush, zero-protrusion look, have your pool builder form two cavities in the wet concrete before it cures.

The flange pocket: 2.6" diameter × 11/64" (0.17") deep — this seats the flange face flush with the finished deck surface.

The stem hole: Use a 1" OD wooden dowel or PVC pipe as a form insert, 2.75" deep from the deck surface. Pull both forms before the concrete fully cures.

Once cured, set the base into the pocket and secure with hydraulic cement or construction adhesive — same process as a standard install, just recessed.

Quick reference for your builder:

• Flange pocket diameter: ~2.6"
• Flange pocket depth: 0.17" / 11/64"
• Stem hole diameter: 1" OD
• Stem hole depth: 2.75" from deck surface
• Base opening / plug size: 7/8"

Location: Shallow end, 6–8" back from the water's edge. Keep the area clear of rebar, plumbing, and electrical beneath the surface.

Covering it when not in use: Every base ships with a rubber plug that drops into the 7/8" base opening and sits flush with the flange. If you'd prefer a polished stainless flush plug instead, marine and dock supply companies carry several options — search "7/8 inch flush deck plug stainless".

As close to the pool edge as practical. The base should be on a solid, level surface (deck, coping, or spa rim). The pole will flex forward over the water — that's by design. Most installations are within 6–12 inches of the water's edge.

Absolutely. The pole lifts straight out of the base in seconds. The base stays permanently mounted, and the pole stores in the included carry bag. Most people leave the base installed and just pull the pole when they're done swimming.

Yes, but the pavers should be at least 12×12 inches and 2–3 inches thick for solid anchoring. Make sure they're set firmly and won't shift under load. If your pavers sit on sand or aren't fully stable, consider reinforcing with a concrete pad underneath.

Yes. You'll need a solid mounting surface near the pool edge — a concrete pad, wood deck, or composite platform all work. A 2" PVC pipe filled with concrete, a 4×4, or a 6×6 post can also serve as a mounting point. The base mounts to that surface, and the pole extends over the pool wall. See our above-ground installation guide for details.

Nope. In the kit builder, select "I Already Have a Base Installed" and you won't be charged for one. If you're unsure whether your base opening is the standard size (7/8" or larger), send us a photo and we'll confirm which pole fitting you need.

The Swim Tether works in virtually any pool — in-ground, above-ground, swim spas, and plunge pools. We've even had customers install on a boat swim platform. The key requirement is a solid surface near the water to mount the base: concrete, wood, composite decking, or an Arctic Spa rim.

Our kit builder has a built-in calculator. Enter the distance from your base to the center of where you want to swim, and it recommends the right cord. If you're between sizes, go one size longer — you can always shorten a cord at home to dial in the fit.

Our cord calculator is quite accurate, and going one size longer gives you flexibility. If you end up needing a different length, just reach out — we'll get you sorted. Cords can also be shortened at home in a few minutes — see our step-by-step cord-shortening guide.

No — the Arctic Spa Adapter is designed specifically for swim spas manufactured by Arctic Spas, which have a built-in female threaded receiver. It won't fit other brands. If you have a different swim spa, the concrete or wood deck base will work if you have a solid surface nearby. Contact us if you're unsure — we'll help figure out the best mounting option.

The system is designed for normal swimming resistance, not pulling or hanging. There's no strict weight limit for swimming use — the cord and pole flex to absorb force progressively. The belt fits waists up to 48".

The ST1 is usually the best fit for swim spas — its short, rigid design works well in smaller spaces. If your swim spa is on the larger side (14ft+), the ST2 can also work. The kit builder's cord calculator will confirm the right cord length based on your measurements.

Looser than you'd think. The instinct is to cinch it down so it won't move — but a tight belt locks your hips, and that's where your rotation comes from. Loosen the slide adjustment until your hips rotate gently inside the belt, with two points of contact on the bones at the front of your hips. It should hold you in place without pinning you. Here's the full guide to dialing in your fit →

Almost always, yes — this is a fitting-size mismatch, not a defect. The pole's bottom fitting comes in two sizes, and they aren't interchangeable:

• Standard — fits our concrete, wood, and paver bases, plus most factory swim-spa bases.
• Narrow — fits certain factory swim-spa bases that have a smaller opening.

If the pole won't drop in — or drops in but sits loose — you most likely have the other size. Find your base in our Base Fit Guide (it has photos of the common pool and swim-spa bases), or send us a photo of your installed base and we'll confirm the right fitting and ship it at no charge.

If your pole used to fit and is now stuck, that's a different issue — see the stuck-pole answer just below.

This is something we've only seen on our earliest ST3 poles — an early run from 2023, made before we moved to anodized aluminum fittings. On those units the pole's bottom fitting is bare aluminum, and after a few seasons in the base it can pick up a light oxidation that makes the pole fit snugly or stick. The pole isn't damaged — it comes free with a little patience:

• Soak the seam. Apply a penetrating oil — PB B'laster, Kroil, or WD-40 Specialist Penetrant all work — where the pole meets the top of the base, and let it wick in for a few hours (overnight is even better). Reapply once or twice.
• Twist, don't pull. Gently rock the pole a few degrees back and forth to break the bond. A small twisting motion works far better than pulling straight up, and a light tap on the side of the pole with a rubber mallet helps too.
• For stubborn buildup, white vinegar dissolves the light oxidation — wick it into the seam, wait a few minutes, then twist again. Keep vinegar off stone or concrete coping (it can etch the surface), and dry the joint before re-oiling.

Once the pole is out, give the bottom fitting a quick clean — a light pass with fine sandpaper (400–600 grit) or a Scotch-Brite pad removes any white buildup so it slides freely again. Wipe on a little marine anti-seize before reinserting, and pulling the pole when you're done for the season keeps it from sticking in the first place.

A couple of things to avoid: skip harsh chemicals like muriatic acid, drain cleaner, or CLR — none are safe on aluminum — and don't apply heat, which won't help and can actually tighten the fit. Penetrating oil, vinegar, and a gentle twist are all it takes.

Still stuck, or would you like a fresh anodized fitting? Reach out and we'll take care of you.

Those are the classic end-of-life signs, so probably yes. Our EPDM stretch cords typically last 1–3 years depending on how often you swim and how much sun they get. Replace the cord if you notice:

• Visible cracking or splitting in the rubber
• Loss of stretch or snap-back — it no longer returns to length
• The cord feeling stiff or hard rather than springy

To get the most life out of a cord, rinse it with fresh water after swimming — especially in salt or heavily chlorinated water — and store it out of direct sun when you're not using it (the carry bag is perfect).

Need a replacement? Reach out with the length you need and we'll ship one out. If you have a longer cord on hand, you can also shorten it at home in a few minutes.

The fiberglass pole is UV-resistant and won't be damaged by sun or rain. That said, we recommend removing the pole and storing it in the carry bag when not in use — it protects against accidental damage, keeps it cleaner, and takes just seconds to pop in and out of the base.

Rinse everything with fresh water after each use — especially if you swim in saltwater or heavily chlorinated pools. That's it. The belt can be machine washed occasionally if needed. Avoid harsh solvents on the cord or pole.

With normal use and a freshwater rinse after each session, EPDM cords typically last 1–3 years depending on frequency of use and sun exposure. Signs it's time to replace: visible cracking, loss of elasticity, or the cord feeling stiff. Replacement cords are available separately.

Remove the pole and cord, rinse with fresh water, dry them off, and store in the carry bag indoors. The base can stay mounted year-round — it's stainless steel and designed to handle the elements. When spring comes, just pop the pole back in and you're ready to go.

Yes. EPDM rubber is specifically chosen for its resistance to chlorine, bromine, saltwater, ozone, and UV. A quick freshwater rinse after each swim is all you need to maximize cord life.

Free shipping on all US orders over $99. Every complete kit qualifies.

30-day easy returns on all orders. If something isn't right, we'll make it right — exchange, refund, or help you find the correct size.

1-year warranty on all components against manufacturing defects. If something breaks during normal use within the first year, we'll replace it.

Yes. We offer wholesale pricing for pool builders, spa dealers, OEM swim spa manufacturers, pool service companies, and homeowner associations. Apply for a reseller account →

Yes, we ship worldwide. Shipping rates are calculated automatically in the cart based on your destination. If your country isn't available at checkout, contact us and we'll work it out.