What It Takes to Prepare a Pool for Sporting Events
From the thunder of the starter pistol to the roar of the crowd, every second counts in competitive swimming. But behind every record-breaking race is a meticulously prepared aquatic facility—and a team of experts making it all happen behind the scenes.
At Trisley’s Hydraulic Services, we’ve had the privilege of working on world-class venues for events like the Commonwealth Games. Here’s a glimpse into the precision, planning, and performance required to prepare a pool for the world stage.
Exact Water Conditions: Temperature, Depth & Flow
Competitive swimmers expect—and deserve—consistent, optimal water conditions. That means:
Temperature: FINA standards require water to be maintained between 25°C and 28°C. This is tightly controlled using advanced heating and circulation systems, often supported by solar or gas heaters.
Depth: Minimum depth requirements vary depending on the sport (swimming, diving, water polo), but for international swimming events, pools must be at least 2 metres deep to reduce turbulence and create even water pressure.
Flow and Movement: Water flow must be carefully balanced to avoid surface disruption. High-performance gutter systems absorb waves and reduce resistance, helping swimmers achieve their best times.
System Redundancy & Reliability
There’s no room for error at major sporting events. Every hydraulic system—filtration, heating, backwash, chemical dosing—must be fine-tuned, tested, and backed up by redundancy systems to eliminate the risk of downtime.
At Trisley’s, we design systems with fail-safes and emergency contingencies, so the show can go on no matter what.
Competition-Ready Plant Rooms
Before a whistle blows, the plant room gets the biggest workout. We upgrade or recalibrate:
Pumps and filters to accommodate higher swimmer volumes and tighter timelines.
Automated control systems for real-time monitoring of water quality, temperature, and pressure.
Chemical dosing systems to manage peak bather loads while staying within safety regulations.
For large events, everything needs to perform flawlessly under pressure—just like the athletes.
Temporary Infrastructure & Flexibility
International competitions often demand adaptable infrastructure. Pools may need to accommodate:
Temporary grandstands.
Floating bulkheads to divide the pool or adjust its length.
Portable timing systems and touchpads.
Broadcast and lighting systems.
We work closely with event organisers and venue managers to ensure the hydraulic systems support these additions without compromising safety or performance.
Pre-Event Commissioning and Testing
Weeks before the event, we go through rigorous commissioning protocols:
Pressure and flow testing.
Chemical stability and disinfection checks.
Backup system trials.
Collaboration with health departments and governing bodies for certification.
This phase ensures the pool meets all competition standards and is fully operational ahead of time.
Proudly Behind the Best
Whether it’s the Commonwealth Games or a national championship, Trisley’s Hydraulic Services is proud to play a part in supporting Australian athletes with world-class aquatic environments.
Our team’s experience in elite aquatic engineering, hydraulic system design, and event preparedness ensures pools are not only competition-ready—but future-ready too.
Need help preparing your aquatic facility for a major event?
Get in touch with the team that delivers performance where it counts—above and below the surface.